Growing up in Minnesota, I became accustomed to long, arduous winters that stole away the fall, and leached into spring. The endless days waking up fighting bone-chilling winds to (hopefully) start my car so it would run on dark ice-covered roads got to me after a while. I seriously believe seasonal effective disorder is a real thing. How those folks in Seattle do it I will never know. But inevitably, whether it was in March or June, spring eventually came to the frozen tundra. The snow pack melted into a gross muddy mess, the sun shone, and slowly green returned to the earth. On the first day above 40 degrees, my fellow Minnesotans and I broke out our shorts and sandals, headed for the local Dairy Queen. Spring coming to the desert is a much more subtle process. The temperature goes up, yes...but the sand remains sand, and the sun keeps shining like it does the other 364 days of the year. This past April marks the beginning of my second spring (and year) in California. I have to say, it has been a very eventful 12 months for our family.
We completed our first cross-country move last April, moved into our third home in three years, took a new job (in T's case), made great new friends, visited Vegas and went on a Southwest road trip, and learned we were expecting our first child (a boy!). Not too shabby. I've written a lot about new experiences in the desert, like dodging bobcats and spiders, hurricane force winds, and our forays into "green living" with organic vegetable boxes, composting, and canning (coming soon: cloth diapering...stay tuned!). Adjusting to rural life hasn't really been as challenging as I thought it would be though. The most important thing I've learned in the past year is to truly be present in each moment, to slow down, enjoy, and savor. I had to chuckle this morning as I drove to grab milk from the grocery store a few miles away. There was a small snarl of cars at 8am waiting on the main road that leads into the base. A traffic jam! In this existence, traffic consists of twenty or so cars in a row waiting more than a minute. A far cry from the rush hour nightmares of Minneapolis, that's for sure. The slow deliberate pace and the sometimes deafening quiet of this desert community isn't for everyone, but I have come to appreciate it.
This is not to say that my anxiety-prone mind never races ahead, believe me it does. We are beyond words excited for the birth of our baby boy in September. Much of our lives are now occupied with the preparations, expectations, and fears of impending parenthood. Also, after a year in one place, a military wife begins to feel that unsettling itch set in, the knowledge that in a year or two we will once again be uprooted, boxed up, and moved on, to another adventure in a place unknown. There are days when all the uncertainties get to me, and I find myself holding my breath. But then I stop, look at where I've been and what I've been through, at the husband with whom I have weathered storms and welcomed sunshine, and I exhale. What will be, will be. In the meantime, I am going to have a damn good time.
I am looking forward (but not too far!) to some such good times in the coming weeks. T and I plan to road trip to Anaheim this weekend for an Angels game. There are also vacations to Minnesota and San Francisco on the books in the next few months. Mostly though, I'm excited to know I have lots of blank days ahead, which will be whatever I make of them - hopefully fulfilled, healthy, blessed, and full of spring fun:) Wishing you the same!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Uncharted
The other day I was checking the oil in my car, and I found myself thinking, who'd have ever thought I'd be checking my own oil? Sounds pretty pathetic, because basic car care maintenance is not a very impressive accomplishment. But when I got my first car (Hilary, the trusty blue Saturn), I didn't even know how to pop the hood, let alone find the dipstick. Which led to extended mental wanderings of all the other situations I have found myself in that I would not have ever believed a few years ago.
What follows is a mix of the frivolous and the very personal. I've always expressed myself best through writing, so hopefully it makes for a decent read. Regardless, it's a catharsis for me to be able to get it out. Be kind to me.
Moving West
I called the state of Minnesota home for 24 years. All the major developments of my early life (birthdays, graduations, marriage) took place within about a twenty-mile radius of the greater St. Paul metropolitan area. I hold Minnesota very deep in my heart, and I don't think I would ever have left unless I had a damn good reason to. Enter T, the aformentioned damn good reason. Before I knew it I was off to Ohio in Hilary, with a trunk full of my lifelong belongings and a randy eight week old golden retriever puppy in the passenger seat (with her leash tied to the door handle). Since then, we have criss-crossed across much of the country, and most recently found ourselves plopped out in the California desert. I didn't even know California had a desert. But what an unexpected blessing it has been to see new places, experience different regional cultures, and meet new friends! It's always sad to leave, but a new adventure comes with each new assignment.
Domestic Wifehood
I graduated from college with degrees in business and geography, and promptly went to work in the international freight industry, handling customs paperwork and inland freight moves. I always wanted to be successful, but lacked that ambition to push to the top of the corporate ladder. When the economy hit the fan, I bounced from company to company as a few of them went under due to the sudden lack of international shipments. Then my migraine headaches really took off right around the time we left Minnesota, and I took some time off from working to focus on my health. It's now been over three years since I was last employed. Time flies. Initially it bothered me a bit, but I soon discovered that the life of a stay-at-home wife suited me. I don't mean to sound like a character on Mad Men, but I enjoy seeing T off to work, making the meals, and keeping the house clean. He likes not having to worry about the stuff at home, and that I have a lot less trouble with my migraines because I'm able to rest when I need it - which makes for a more pleasant wife and marriage. It isn't for everyone, but it sure works for us. And I think that's feminism at its best - being able to make the choice for yourself about what is best for your family. My career path has diverged dramatically from where I started out, certainly, but I couldn't be more fulfilled and happy today than if I were a high-powered doctor or lawyer.
Culinary Perils
In the same vein as my lack of car care skills, when T and I got married I had no talent whatsoever in the kitchen. T was shocked (and endlessly amused) to find that I struggled to open a can. So so so pathetic. My specialties were grilled cheese and microwave popcorn. I soon realized that this was an area in which I was going to have to improve. Enter hours of Food Network programming, cookbook reading, experimentation, and nearly blowing up the kitchen and myself a few times. As the months passed, I got better. And even cooler, I was enjoying myself! I would never say that my cooking is great, but passable. I expanded my exploits to baking and even canning. California is a wonderful place to live, because we have such great access to fresh produce year-round. I can't wait to make another batch of fresh salsa, or try a new jam recipe. Yes, a little June Cleaver, but it keeps me occupied.
Impending Motherhood
I have always wanted to be a mom, and after getting married, I was so excited at the prospect of having kids young, and being a stay-at-home parent. After a year of attempts, it became clear this was not going to be as easy as I had thought. Six months of fertility treatments while we were living in Ohio followed. It was the most difficult thing I have ever been through in my whole life. For one, at age 25 I felt like the youngest woman in the world to ever to have fertility problems. I felt physically crappy, was emotionally volatile due to the hormones, and became socially isolated. It's hard enough to make friends in a new place when everything is going great, but when you're dealing with something so personal that also happens to keep you in bed a lot, it's almost impossible. All the treatments failed, and we were told that unless we underwent invitro, and the sooner the better, we would probably not have biological children. That was right around when we got orders to California.
When I got to California, I felt like I could breathe again. I hadn't poked myself in the stomach with a needle in weeks, I had energy, and was happy and refreshed. T felt similarly, and we both realized that an extended break from treatments was in order. We knew invitro was going to be difficult (more like impossible) to afford, and frankly I wasn't sure I could handle any more procedures. We started thinking about life would be like without children. I sat with it for months. Though it wasn't how I'd seen things playing out, I realized my life could still be happy and fulfilled without kids. Having a wonderful marriage with T, a great extended family, two silly dogs, and fabulous friends - all in all I was leading a charmed life.
In January, a year after our last failed fertility treatment, we received the shock of our lives - I was pregnant. Naturally. Now each day I watch my belly grow a little bigger, feel baby move a little more, and I realize just how truly unpredictable life is.
"Don't ask me how to get started
It's all uncharted"
~Sara Bareilles~
What follows is a mix of the frivolous and the very personal. I've always expressed myself best through writing, so hopefully it makes for a decent read. Regardless, it's a catharsis for me to be able to get it out. Be kind to me.
Moving West
I called the state of Minnesota home for 24 years. All the major developments of my early life (birthdays, graduations, marriage) took place within about a twenty-mile radius of the greater St. Paul metropolitan area. I hold Minnesota very deep in my heart, and I don't think I would ever have left unless I had a damn good reason to. Enter T, the aformentioned damn good reason. Before I knew it I was off to Ohio in Hilary, with a trunk full of my lifelong belongings and a randy eight week old golden retriever puppy in the passenger seat (with her leash tied to the door handle). Since then, we have criss-crossed across much of the country, and most recently found ourselves plopped out in the California desert. I didn't even know California had a desert. But what an unexpected blessing it has been to see new places, experience different regional cultures, and meet new friends! It's always sad to leave, but a new adventure comes with each new assignment.
Domestic Wifehood
I graduated from college with degrees in business and geography, and promptly went to work in the international freight industry, handling customs paperwork and inland freight moves. I always wanted to be successful, but lacked that ambition to push to the top of the corporate ladder. When the economy hit the fan, I bounced from company to company as a few of them went under due to the sudden lack of international shipments. Then my migraine headaches really took off right around the time we left Minnesota, and I took some time off from working to focus on my health. It's now been over three years since I was last employed. Time flies. Initially it bothered me a bit, but I soon discovered that the life of a stay-at-home wife suited me. I don't mean to sound like a character on Mad Men, but I enjoy seeing T off to work, making the meals, and keeping the house clean. He likes not having to worry about the stuff at home, and that I have a lot less trouble with my migraines because I'm able to rest when I need it - which makes for a more pleasant wife and marriage. It isn't for everyone, but it sure works for us. And I think that's feminism at its best - being able to make the choice for yourself about what is best for your family. My career path has diverged dramatically from where I started out, certainly, but I couldn't be more fulfilled and happy today than if I were a high-powered doctor or lawyer.
Culinary Perils
In the same vein as my lack of car care skills, when T and I got married I had no talent whatsoever in the kitchen. T was shocked (and endlessly amused) to find that I struggled to open a can. So so so pathetic. My specialties were grilled cheese and microwave popcorn. I soon realized that this was an area in which I was going to have to improve. Enter hours of Food Network programming, cookbook reading, experimentation, and nearly blowing up the kitchen and myself a few times. As the months passed, I got better. And even cooler, I was enjoying myself! I would never say that my cooking is great, but passable. I expanded my exploits to baking and even canning. California is a wonderful place to live, because we have such great access to fresh produce year-round. I can't wait to make another batch of fresh salsa, or try a new jam recipe. Yes, a little June Cleaver, but it keeps me occupied.
Impending Motherhood
I have always wanted to be a mom, and after getting married, I was so excited at the prospect of having kids young, and being a stay-at-home parent. After a year of attempts, it became clear this was not going to be as easy as I had thought. Six months of fertility treatments while we were living in Ohio followed. It was the most difficult thing I have ever been through in my whole life. For one, at age 25 I felt like the youngest woman in the world to ever to have fertility problems. I felt physically crappy, was emotionally volatile due to the hormones, and became socially isolated. It's hard enough to make friends in a new place when everything is going great, but when you're dealing with something so personal that also happens to keep you in bed a lot, it's almost impossible. All the treatments failed, and we were told that unless we underwent invitro, and the sooner the better, we would probably not have biological children. That was right around when we got orders to California.
When I got to California, I felt like I could breathe again. I hadn't poked myself in the stomach with a needle in weeks, I had energy, and was happy and refreshed. T felt similarly, and we both realized that an extended break from treatments was in order. We knew invitro was going to be difficult (more like impossible) to afford, and frankly I wasn't sure I could handle any more procedures. We started thinking about life would be like without children. I sat with it for months. Though it wasn't how I'd seen things playing out, I realized my life could still be happy and fulfilled without kids. Having a wonderful marriage with T, a great extended family, two silly dogs, and fabulous friends - all in all I was leading a charmed life.
In January, a year after our last failed fertility treatment, we received the shock of our lives - I was pregnant. Naturally. Now each day I watch my belly grow a little bigger, feel baby move a little more, and I realize just how truly unpredictable life is.
"Don't ask me how to get started
It's all uncharted"
~Sara Bareilles~
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Since I've Been Gone...
Well folks, I haven't written since late November, which is fairly pathetic. In my defense, a lot has been going on. Here's a recap of life in the desert, winter edition:
When I last wrote in November, we were readying ourselves for the arrival of my husband's family for Thanksgiving. We had a great visit with T's dad, mom, and two brothers. While they were here we toured base, including the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, which I had not yet been to. It is fairly small (especially compared to the gargantuan Air Force Museum at Wright-Patt), but has some fun stuff to see. The geographer in me especially enjoyed the old maps of the Edwards area when it was still Muroc Army Airfield in the 40's. If you've ever seen the movie "The Right Stuff," you'll enjoy some of the exhibits they have featuring Chuck Yeager and Pancho Barnes. I liked the ejector seat the most, because I have the attention span of a toddler and love stuff you can touch and sit on.
We took our second trip to Red Rock Canyon State Park, and all I can say about that is I am surprised that no one died. Our golden retriever Tess was this close to leaping off a cliff. It did make for some great photo ops though.
On the last day of their visit we perused the beaches near LAX, including Hermosa and Redondo Beach. I love the ocean and the waves and the sand, but all the congestion and crowds make me want to have an anxiety attack. I also found myself sticking out like a pale hokey Midwesterner, as most of the other women on the beach were bronzed and dressed like they were prepping for a magazine cover shoot. Oh well.
Christmas was quiet and cozy. It was just us and the dogs at home. It's blissful not to have to go anywhere or do anything over the holidays, at least every once in a while. We watched Home Alone for the first time in ages, and watched the dogs fight over their new toy, a rainbow octopus.
They each grab onto a leg and pull. It has a couple holes in it now. For Christmas day dinner, I made Paula Deen's Red Wine Beef Stew, with a bourbon red velvet cake for dessert. It makes me hungry just thinking about it.
In mid-January we went on a Southwestern road trip to see the Grand Canyon and our friends at Holloman AFB in New Mexico. The Grand Canyon is, in a word, epic.
If you've never been, put it on your bucket list. January is the ideal time to go because the crowds are low and hotels are cheap. It was a little chilly, but being tough Minnesotans, we didn't mind it too much. We also enjoyed White Sands while we were in New Mexico. It's just, well, a lot of white sand...but fun to thrash around in and take pictures.
Our favorite part of the trip was visiting with our friends and their kids. We played games, watched the boys run around, and just enjoyed each other's company.
Not too long after that trip, probably the biggest development of the winter was revealed - we are expecting our first baby!! I am due in early September. We are overjoyed and so excited. It is definitely overwhelming - it feels like there is so much to do in a short time, stuff you don't even think about beforehand. For instance, we need to buy a new car for T, because his current one is a 2 door that you can't get a box out of comfortably, let alone an infant in a car seat. Also all of a sudden what I thought was a large house has shrunk, as our garage fills with boxes and the office now contains some of the old guest room furniture as we try to make room for our future nursery. Buster (our lab) seems to sense the pregnancy already and has become my full-time security guard. He follows me from room to room, staring me down like I might try to make a run for it at any moment. I think it's pretty cute, he will be very protective of our child when he or she is born. I'm enjoying watching my belly grow and don't even mind the morning (or in my case, night) sickness too much. A big bonus has been the disappearance of my migraine headaches as I've progressed along in the pregnancy. I get the occasional headache, but nothing like before. Now if only I could figure out how to stay pregnant forever! That Duggar lady might be onto something...
Well, that brings us up to the present day! In the months ahead there will be lots of preparations for baby, a trip to Minnesota to visit family and friends, a Lady Antebellum concert, and hopefully some baseball games and weekend getaways squeezed in. I aspire to be much more diligent with my blog posts as well. Hope you all are enjoying your weekend :)
When I last wrote in November, we were readying ourselves for the arrival of my husband's family for Thanksgiving. We had a great visit with T's dad, mom, and two brothers. While they were here we toured base, including the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, which I had not yet been to. It is fairly small (especially compared to the gargantuan Air Force Museum at Wright-Patt), but has some fun stuff to see. The geographer in me especially enjoyed the old maps of the Edwards area when it was still Muroc Army Airfield in the 40's. If you've ever seen the movie "The Right Stuff," you'll enjoy some of the exhibits they have featuring Chuck Yeager and Pancho Barnes. I liked the ejector seat the most, because I have the attention span of a toddler and love stuff you can touch and sit on.
We took our second trip to Red Rock Canyon State Park, and all I can say about that is I am surprised that no one died. Our golden retriever Tess was this close to leaping off a cliff. It did make for some great photo ops though.
On the last day of their visit we perused the beaches near LAX, including Hermosa and Redondo Beach. I love the ocean and the waves and the sand, but all the congestion and crowds make me want to have an anxiety attack. I also found myself sticking out like a pale hokey Midwesterner, as most of the other women on the beach were bronzed and dressed like they were prepping for a magazine cover shoot. Oh well.
Christmas was quiet and cozy. It was just us and the dogs at home. It's blissful not to have to go anywhere or do anything over the holidays, at least every once in a while. We watched Home Alone for the first time in ages, and watched the dogs fight over their new toy, a rainbow octopus.
They each grab onto a leg and pull. It has a couple holes in it now. For Christmas day dinner, I made Paula Deen's Red Wine Beef Stew, with a bourbon red velvet cake for dessert. It makes me hungry just thinking about it.
In mid-January we went on a Southwestern road trip to see the Grand Canyon and our friends at Holloman AFB in New Mexico. The Grand Canyon is, in a word, epic.
If you've never been, put it on your bucket list. January is the ideal time to go because the crowds are low and hotels are cheap. It was a little chilly, but being tough Minnesotans, we didn't mind it too much. We also enjoyed White Sands while we were in New Mexico. It's just, well, a lot of white sand...but fun to thrash around in and take pictures.
Our favorite part of the trip was visiting with our friends and their kids. We played games, watched the boys run around, and just enjoyed each other's company.
Not too long after that trip, probably the biggest development of the winter was revealed - we are expecting our first baby!! I am due in early September. We are overjoyed and so excited. It is definitely overwhelming - it feels like there is so much to do in a short time, stuff you don't even think about beforehand. For instance, we need to buy a new car for T, because his current one is a 2 door that you can't get a box out of comfortably, let alone an infant in a car seat. Also all of a sudden what I thought was a large house has shrunk, as our garage fills with boxes and the office now contains some of the old guest room furniture as we try to make room for our future nursery. Buster (our lab) seems to sense the pregnancy already and has become my full-time security guard. He follows me from room to room, staring me down like I might try to make a run for it at any moment. I think it's pretty cute, he will be very protective of our child when he or she is born. I'm enjoying watching my belly grow and don't even mind the morning (or in my case, night) sickness too much. A big bonus has been the disappearance of my migraine headaches as I've progressed along in the pregnancy. I get the occasional headache, but nothing like before. Now if only I could figure out how to stay pregnant forever! That Duggar lady might be onto something...
Well, that brings us up to the present day! In the months ahead there will be lots of preparations for baby, a trip to Minnesota to visit family and friends, a Lady Antebellum concert, and hopefully some baseball games and weekend getaways squeezed in. I aspire to be much more diligent with my blog posts as well. Hope you all are enjoying your weekend :)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Autumn Comes to the Desert
In the last few weeks, the weather has finally cooled off here in the high desert. It is downright chilly in the mornings, especially when the wind starts to kick up and the tumbleweeds start to fly. I love it. There is nothing better than entombing yourself in a warm comforter as you go to sleep, and sporting fleece socks and comfy sweatpants around the house on the weekends (or if you are me, all the time). I think we skipped right to winter from summer, because the obvious signs of fall like the leaves changing are noticeably absent here in the Mojave.
Last week, my parents arrived from Minnesota for their first visit to the AV. On Friday, we went to Red Rock Canyon State Park, about 20 miles northeast of the town of Mojave. The scenic red rocks were beautiful, and a lot of fun to climb around. In retrospect, we're pretty lucky none of us broke a bone. We took a lot of fun pictures, and the park was almost empty so we had the run of the place. It was a great way for my parents to experience the desert landscape, and we're looking forward to going back with T's family when they visit over Thanksgiving.
Saturday we went to cheer on our Minnesota Wild hockey team as they took on the LA Kings at Staples Center. If you've read my blog before, you know that we take our hockey very seriously. Decked out in our Wild gear, we made our way into downtown LA. Outside of the Staples Center, there were flocks of emo tweens camped out in tents, awaiting Monday's premiere of the newest Twilight movie at the neighboring Nokia Theater. The game itself was disappointing, as the Wild had a very poor showing, falling to the Kings 2-5. It was fun to see the inside of the hallowed Staples Center, with a dynasty's worth of Lakers championship banners hanging from the rafters. We luckily didn't get into any drunken brawls with Kings fans, though passionate and loyal to their team, they proved to be less violent than LA baseball fans. They did however, lead the crowd in a "Twilight sucks" chant aimed at the aforementioned tent city as we exited the game. It was great to have the opportunity to see professional hockey at such a historic venue, and I definitely would like to get back for another game this winter.
On Monday, my parents dragged me to a taping of the Dr. Phil show. I was dreading it, and was very envious of T who got stay back and go to work. I made the comment as we waited in line that I better at least get some "decent swag" out of this. To my surprise, I got a whole bucketload of quality swag! In a ladies only taping (sorry Dad), my mom and I each received Sketchers sneakers, a yoga mat, free weights, toning pants, and a Vitamix blender - all together easily more than $500 worth of stuff. Dr. Phil, you are growing on me, my man. It was a fun experience. Even the second giveaway-free taping was interesting, and the staff does a great job of maintaining a fun and festive atmosphere for the audience. After the taping, I bid my parents adieu at LAX and snuck back home right before rush hour traffic took hold.
We are now in Thanksgiving mode. Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday after Christmas, and I am excited to be hosting my first big family Thanksgiving dinner this year. T's parents and two brothers are flying in for five days, and there is a 20-lb turkey currently residing in the majority of my refrigerator. I did a trial run of homemade apple pie yesterday. I have had a historically tragic relationship with homemade pie crust, resulting in unsightly cracks and fissures in my pies. Usually I just cheat and buy the premade crusts. A friend recently turned me on Joy the Baker's blog, and Joy gave me the courage to try again. I made her With Love, Apple Pie with How To Make Pie Crust… do it.. It was a triumph! I can't say it was aesthetically pleasing, but the crust held together fabulously, and the pie tastes heavenly. It was a very easy recipe to follow, but was quite time consuming. It takes up most of the day, but is well worth it for festive holiday occasions.
The next few days will be a flurry of preparations, cleaning, and baking. I am excited to celebrate Turkey Day with a house full of family, food, and fun. I wish you and yours safe travels and a very blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
Last week, my parents arrived from Minnesota for their first visit to the AV. On Friday, we went to Red Rock Canyon State Park, about 20 miles northeast of the town of Mojave. The scenic red rocks were beautiful, and a lot of fun to climb around. In retrospect, we're pretty lucky none of us broke a bone. We took a lot of fun pictures, and the park was almost empty so we had the run of the place. It was a great way for my parents to experience the desert landscape, and we're looking forward to going back with T's family when they visit over Thanksgiving.
Saturday we went to cheer on our Minnesota Wild hockey team as they took on the LA Kings at Staples Center. If you've read my blog before, you know that we take our hockey very seriously. Decked out in our Wild gear, we made our way into downtown LA. Outside of the Staples Center, there were flocks of emo tweens camped out in tents, awaiting Monday's premiere of the newest Twilight movie at the neighboring Nokia Theater. The game itself was disappointing, as the Wild had a very poor showing, falling to the Kings 2-5. It was fun to see the inside of the hallowed Staples Center, with a dynasty's worth of Lakers championship banners hanging from the rafters. We luckily didn't get into any drunken brawls with Kings fans, though passionate and loyal to their team, they proved to be less violent than LA baseball fans. They did however, lead the crowd in a "Twilight sucks" chant aimed at the aforementioned tent city as we exited the game. It was great to have the opportunity to see professional hockey at such a historic venue, and I definitely would like to get back for another game this winter.
On Monday, my parents dragged me to a taping of the Dr. Phil show. I was dreading it, and was very envious of T who got stay back and go to work. I made the comment as we waited in line that I better at least get some "decent swag" out of this. To my surprise, I got a whole bucketload of quality swag! In a ladies only taping (sorry Dad), my mom and I each received Sketchers sneakers, a yoga mat, free weights, toning pants, and a Vitamix blender - all together easily more than $500 worth of stuff. Dr. Phil, you are growing on me, my man. It was a fun experience. Even the second giveaway-free taping was interesting, and the staff does a great job of maintaining a fun and festive atmosphere for the audience. After the taping, I bid my parents adieu at LAX and snuck back home right before rush hour traffic took hold.
We are now in Thanksgiving mode. Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday after Christmas, and I am excited to be hosting my first big family Thanksgiving dinner this year. T's parents and two brothers are flying in for five days, and there is a 20-lb turkey currently residing in the majority of my refrigerator. I did a trial run of homemade apple pie yesterday. I have had a historically tragic relationship with homemade pie crust, resulting in unsightly cracks and fissures in my pies. Usually I just cheat and buy the premade crusts. A friend recently turned me on Joy the Baker's blog, and Joy gave me the courage to try again. I made her With Love, Apple Pie with How To Make Pie Crust… do it.. It was a triumph! I can't say it was aesthetically pleasing, but the crust held together fabulously, and the pie tastes heavenly. It was a very easy recipe to follow, but was quite time consuming. It takes up most of the day, but is well worth it for festive holiday occasions.
The next few days will be a flurry of preparations, cleaning, and baking. I am excited to celebrate Turkey Day with a house full of family, food, and fun. I wish you and yours safe travels and a very blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
Monday, October 24, 2011
3 Wonderful Years - A to Z
Tomorrow is my third wedding anniversary. In honor of this milestone, I present the A to Zs of our marriage: memories of the most exciting, fun, challenging, love-filled, blessed years of my life.
A - Air Force
I had no personal knowledge of the military before I married my husband. Soon after I was thrown into a crazy world of impossibly long acronyms, foreign customs and rules of etiquette, and frequent cross-country moves. Despite the quirks of this life, I am so proud of my husband's service, and to be a part of such a diverse and interesting military community.
B - Basement
Our first home as a married couple was a basement apartment on Dayton Avenue in St. Paul near school (University of St. Thomas). The rent was cheap and the location was ideal, so we tried to ignore the reality of the place. It was more like a cave than an apartment. There was exposed plumbing and wiring draping all around the door frame, making for some classy decor. Our windows were alley level, which meant every time the local "Can-Man" rifled through our recycling at 3 in the morning, I thought a serial killer was coming to kill me. The heating unit gave out in mid-January, which meant it was frequently 55 degrees or less at night. It was a unique urban living experience, for sure - but it will be a good story to tell the kids someday, right?
C - Caribbean cruise
Our honeymoon was a cruise of the Eastern Caribbean. It was the trip of a lifetime. I have never been so relaxed, and tan. My favorite moment was on a catamaran trip around the island of Antigua. The water was so blue, the sands gleaming, and I had my handsome new husband's arms around me. All was right with the world.
D - Dogs
Prior to my marriage, the only pets I had ever had were some pet frogs my college roommates and I made the ill-fated decision to buy. They were no fun, and we must have not cared for them correctly because they eventually resorted to cannibalism. I doubted if I had the patience to commit to a pet. Enter my husband who wanted dogs two seconds after we said "I do." I've posted enough about my dogs on here for you to know what a gift they have been to us. I'm so glad T encouraged me to give pet ownership another try.
E - Easter Sunday
We got engaged April 8, 2007 - Easter Sunday. The ring was in my Easter Basket, in a bunny box that I initially thought contained a chocolate truffle. Turns out it was slightly better than a truffle.
F - Firewall
Our first date was to see the Harrison Ford movie Firewall at the Mall of America. We went to Noodles and Company for dinner beforehand. It was our first date in the technical sense only, as we had already hung out alone a lot and had our first kiss (sorry, Mom). Nevertheless it was a great night, and whenever I hear Harrison Ford snarl "DON'T MESS WITH MY FAMILY," it is always a pleasant memory.
G - Godchildren
We are getting old! In the past few years we have been blessed with two beautiful babies. My brother and his wife had their first, a girl. She is a beautiful niece and goddaughter. In addition, our dear friends from college had a handsome baby son, and T is honored to be his godfather. It's great fun to have little ones around to spoil and play with, and be able to go home and skip the poopy diapers and tantrums.
H - Halloween
We have a mutual dislike for this holiday. Neither of us likes to dress up, pass out candy, or watch scary movies. Sad to say we are sort of hermits on Halloween, and prefer to barricade ourselves in a back bedroom and turn all the lights off.
I - Ice Hockey
This sport is a deep obsession in my family. In Minnesota, a love for hockey is in our blood, a side effect of the long cold winters perhaps. T was born in Wisconsin, our neighbor to the east, so he did not fully appreciate the sport before marrying into our clan. I'm proud to say we converted him, and T probably knows more about hockey now than I do. We're excited to get to see the Minnesota Wild play the LA Kings in LA in a few weeks.
J - John Legend
One of our favorite singers as a couple. We can often be found belting out his smooth R&B songs on long car trips. And it doesn't look ridiculous to passing drivers at all.
K - Kitchen
We have both come along way in the past few years with our culinary skills. There was a lot of Papa John's and grilled cheese in the early days. The other night we made this delicious beef stir fry with organic eggplant, zucchini, carrots, and onion - and it hit me how far we've come. I'm sure our waistlines are thankful.
L - Law and Order SVU
We watched an untold amount of episodes of Law and Order SVU one fateful week in the fall of 2009. Both of us had been struck down with the swine flu at the same time, and were fighting high temperatures, upset stomachs, and excess phlegm. It was an ugly scene, with lots of sweatpants, Jello, and of course Ice-T involved.
M - Migraine
I hesitate to even mention this one, because the last thing I or anyone else wants to do is be defined by an illness. But it is simply fact that my chronic migraines have been a very real part of our lives in the last three years. My husband has been the most amazing support system for me. There have been endless hours in ER waiting rooms, specialist visits, and days upon days where I can't get out of bed. He is always there - to encourage me, give me back massages, and hug me when I just need to cry. I hate that he has to go through all this crap with me sometimes, but I definitely think it has made us stronger as a couple. I am so lucky to have a partner who can weather the hard times with me.
N - North Stars Sweatshirt
A few years ago I had a rough week. I think I was overly stressed at work, and probably was having issues with my migraines. T knew I was struggling, and he came home with a green North Stars sweatshirt (Minnesota hockey, dontcha know)that I had been coveting for some time. He had bought it for me as a gift, just because. That is a thoughtful husband, if I ever saw one. Every time I wear it I smile a little bit, just because.
O - Ohio
Our first military assignment was in Dayton, Ohio. It was a great experience, and we miss going to the air show, shopping at Meijer (so much better than Walmart), and green grass (lacking here in the desert). I can do without all the annoying Ohio State Buckeye fans though.
P - Packers
I have a previous post on my husband's family and their undying love for the Green Bay Packers. Before we even went on a honeymoon, we made the requisite pilgrimage to Lambeau Field in Wisconsin to catch a game. Go Pack!
Q - Quirks
Newlyweds, you will soon discover that your partner has plenty of quirks, and vice versa. I've learned that my husband never puts the TP roll on the right way, yet has a disturbing obsession with making sure our bed sheets are always straight and even. T has learned that I am a serial insomniac who makes a lot of noise tossing and turning (good thing he's a deep sleeper), and that I have a penchant for eating large quantities of Sour Patch Kids when I'm stressed.
R - Recycle
Since moving to the land of fruit and nuts, we have taken recycling to a whole new level by starting our own compost pile. We're not really sure what we're doing, we just sort of throw fruit and veggie scraps into the bin, stir it every once and while, and hope that it will magically produce soil that will encourage something other than cactus to grow in our gardens. If anyone has any composting tips, let me know.
S - Superior, as in Lake Superior
Possibly our favorite place in the state of Minnesota. It is so beautiful there, especially in the winter. We took a family trip up to Lutsen Ski Resort once, and I vividly remember us skiing up to an overlook. We had this amazing view of the lake, and the jagged majestic cliffs that border it. Behind us, we noticed a doe and her two fawns exploring the newly formed snowdrifts from the storm the night before. There was this shared sense of awe at nature's beauty. It was a great moment.
T - Trivial Pursuit
When T and I were first introduced, we were playing Trivial Pursuit in a dorm room with some mutual friends. Both of us were dating other people at the time. We wouldn't date each other for almost another year yet. I remember distinctly thinking that he was the sort of man I always saw myself marrying. I passed it off as a ridiculous notion at the time, but I guess everything happens for a reason. And yes, I did trounce him at Trivial Pursuit.
U - Umbrella
I have to say, in three years I don't think we've ever owned an umbrella. It's amazing we made it this long without one, though we hardly find a use for one out here in Cali. We usually think about it every time we see one in a store, yet never buy one. I guess we're just not umbrella people.
V - Valley, as in the Antelope Valley (AV)
Not to be confused with "The Valley" from the movie Clueless, as my friend E will tell you. This is our current home in the California high desert. Whereas in "The Valley" they may have wild parties and chic boutiques, we in the AV have bobcats that eat house pets, ants that swim out of bath tubs, and snakes that crawl out from under refrigerators. Despite the less than pleasing pests, it is always sunny and warm here, and the natural landscape is post-apocalyptic yet undeniably beautiful. We may not want to call the AV home forever, but California as a whole has really lured us in. There is so much to do, and oceans/mountains/forests/deserts are all only a few hours away.
W - Wild River State Park
A state park in Minnesota where T and I attempted our first backpacking trip. Unfortunately the campsite was located in a prairie grassland area, which in early summer in Minnesota is a hotbed for ticks. Soon after setting up camp we started discovering ticks crawling on each other. What followed was a horrific night of picking what felt like hundreds of ticks off each other and waking up at 4am to the sound of cows mooing in a nearby pasture. Oh, the romance...
X - X2
The X2 is a ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain here in California. I posted about it previously. T will tell you it was the best ride he's ever been on. I will tell you it is the closest to a near-death experience I have had to date. Shudder.
Y - Yoga
Little known fact, T took a yoga class with me when we were living in St. Paul. Our instructor whose name was Paul was about five feet tall, ninety pounds, and drove a car plastered with Dennis Kucinich stickers. He burned incense and chanted poetry at the end of each session. T was such a trooper to go with me, and surprisingly he was much better at it than I was.
Z - Ziti
T's favorite dish that I make is a five cheese baked ziti modeled off of the Olive Garden version. It is everything we love in a dinner - pasta, garlic bread, and several tons of cheese. My mouth is watering as I type this. Time for a snack...perhaps some cheese.
Well that's it - A to Z.
T - you are my best friend and I love you very much. Looking forward to many more great years to come. Happy Anniversary!
A - Air Force
I had no personal knowledge of the military before I married my husband. Soon after I was thrown into a crazy world of impossibly long acronyms, foreign customs and rules of etiquette, and frequent cross-country moves. Despite the quirks of this life, I am so proud of my husband's service, and to be a part of such a diverse and interesting military community.
B - Basement
Our first home as a married couple was a basement apartment on Dayton Avenue in St. Paul near school (University of St. Thomas). The rent was cheap and the location was ideal, so we tried to ignore the reality of the place. It was more like a cave than an apartment. There was exposed plumbing and wiring draping all around the door frame, making for some classy decor. Our windows were alley level, which meant every time the local "Can-Man" rifled through our recycling at 3 in the morning, I thought a serial killer was coming to kill me. The heating unit gave out in mid-January, which meant it was frequently 55 degrees or less at night. It was a unique urban living experience, for sure - but it will be a good story to tell the kids someday, right?
C - Caribbean cruise
Our honeymoon was a cruise of the Eastern Caribbean. It was the trip of a lifetime. I have never been so relaxed, and tan. My favorite moment was on a catamaran trip around the island of Antigua. The water was so blue, the sands gleaming, and I had my handsome new husband's arms around me. All was right with the world.
D - Dogs
Prior to my marriage, the only pets I had ever had were some pet frogs my college roommates and I made the ill-fated decision to buy. They were no fun, and we must have not cared for them correctly because they eventually resorted to cannibalism. I doubted if I had the patience to commit to a pet. Enter my husband who wanted dogs two seconds after we said "I do." I've posted enough about my dogs on here for you to know what a gift they have been to us. I'm so glad T encouraged me to give pet ownership another try.
E - Easter Sunday
We got engaged April 8, 2007 - Easter Sunday. The ring was in my Easter Basket, in a bunny box that I initially thought contained a chocolate truffle. Turns out it was slightly better than a truffle.
F - Firewall
Our first date was to see the Harrison Ford movie Firewall at the Mall of America. We went to Noodles and Company for dinner beforehand. It was our first date in the technical sense only, as we had already hung out alone a lot and had our first kiss (sorry, Mom). Nevertheless it was a great night, and whenever I hear Harrison Ford snarl "DON'T MESS WITH MY FAMILY," it is always a pleasant memory.
G - Godchildren
We are getting old! In the past few years we have been blessed with two beautiful babies. My brother and his wife had their first, a girl. She is a beautiful niece and goddaughter. In addition, our dear friends from college had a handsome baby son, and T is honored to be his godfather. It's great fun to have little ones around to spoil and play with, and be able to go home and skip the poopy diapers and tantrums.
H - Halloween
We have a mutual dislike for this holiday. Neither of us likes to dress up, pass out candy, or watch scary movies. Sad to say we are sort of hermits on Halloween, and prefer to barricade ourselves in a back bedroom and turn all the lights off.
I - Ice Hockey
This sport is a deep obsession in my family. In Minnesota, a love for hockey is in our blood, a side effect of the long cold winters perhaps. T was born in Wisconsin, our neighbor to the east, so he did not fully appreciate the sport before marrying into our clan. I'm proud to say we converted him, and T probably knows more about hockey now than I do. We're excited to get to see the Minnesota Wild play the LA Kings in LA in a few weeks.
J - John Legend
One of our favorite singers as a couple. We can often be found belting out his smooth R&B songs on long car trips. And it doesn't look ridiculous to passing drivers at all.
K - Kitchen
We have both come along way in the past few years with our culinary skills. There was a lot of Papa John's and grilled cheese in the early days. The other night we made this delicious beef stir fry with organic eggplant, zucchini, carrots, and onion - and it hit me how far we've come. I'm sure our waistlines are thankful.
L - Law and Order SVU
We watched an untold amount of episodes of Law and Order SVU one fateful week in the fall of 2009. Both of us had been struck down with the swine flu at the same time, and were fighting high temperatures, upset stomachs, and excess phlegm. It was an ugly scene, with lots of sweatpants, Jello, and of course Ice-T involved.
M - Migraine
I hesitate to even mention this one, because the last thing I or anyone else wants to do is be defined by an illness. But it is simply fact that my chronic migraines have been a very real part of our lives in the last three years. My husband has been the most amazing support system for me. There have been endless hours in ER waiting rooms, specialist visits, and days upon days where I can't get out of bed. He is always there - to encourage me, give me back massages, and hug me when I just need to cry. I hate that he has to go through all this crap with me sometimes, but I definitely think it has made us stronger as a couple. I am so lucky to have a partner who can weather the hard times with me.
N - North Stars Sweatshirt
A few years ago I had a rough week. I think I was overly stressed at work, and probably was having issues with my migraines. T knew I was struggling, and he came home with a green North Stars sweatshirt (Minnesota hockey, dontcha know)that I had been coveting for some time. He had bought it for me as a gift, just because. That is a thoughtful husband, if I ever saw one. Every time I wear it I smile a little bit, just because.
O - Ohio
Our first military assignment was in Dayton, Ohio. It was a great experience, and we miss going to the air show, shopping at Meijer (so much better than Walmart), and green grass (lacking here in the desert). I can do without all the annoying Ohio State Buckeye fans though.
P - Packers
I have a previous post on my husband's family and their undying love for the Green Bay Packers. Before we even went on a honeymoon, we made the requisite pilgrimage to Lambeau Field in Wisconsin to catch a game. Go Pack!
Q - Quirks
Newlyweds, you will soon discover that your partner has plenty of quirks, and vice versa. I've learned that my husband never puts the TP roll on the right way, yet has a disturbing obsession with making sure our bed sheets are always straight and even. T has learned that I am a serial insomniac who makes a lot of noise tossing and turning (good thing he's a deep sleeper), and that I have a penchant for eating large quantities of Sour Patch Kids when I'm stressed.
R - Recycle
Since moving to the land of fruit and nuts, we have taken recycling to a whole new level by starting our own compost pile. We're not really sure what we're doing, we just sort of throw fruit and veggie scraps into the bin, stir it every once and while, and hope that it will magically produce soil that will encourage something other than cactus to grow in our gardens. If anyone has any composting tips, let me know.
S - Superior, as in Lake Superior
Possibly our favorite place in the state of Minnesota. It is so beautiful there, especially in the winter. We took a family trip up to Lutsen Ski Resort once, and I vividly remember us skiing up to an overlook. We had this amazing view of the lake, and the jagged majestic cliffs that border it. Behind us, we noticed a doe and her two fawns exploring the newly formed snowdrifts from the storm the night before. There was this shared sense of awe at nature's beauty. It was a great moment.
T - Trivial Pursuit
When T and I were first introduced, we were playing Trivial Pursuit in a dorm room with some mutual friends. Both of us were dating other people at the time. We wouldn't date each other for almost another year yet. I remember distinctly thinking that he was the sort of man I always saw myself marrying. I passed it off as a ridiculous notion at the time, but I guess everything happens for a reason. And yes, I did trounce him at Trivial Pursuit.
U - Umbrella
I have to say, in three years I don't think we've ever owned an umbrella. It's amazing we made it this long without one, though we hardly find a use for one out here in Cali. We usually think about it every time we see one in a store, yet never buy one. I guess we're just not umbrella people.
V - Valley, as in the Antelope Valley (AV)
Not to be confused with "The Valley" from the movie Clueless, as my friend E will tell you. This is our current home in the California high desert. Whereas in "The Valley" they may have wild parties and chic boutiques, we in the AV have bobcats that eat house pets, ants that swim out of bath tubs, and snakes that crawl out from under refrigerators. Despite the less than pleasing pests, it is always sunny and warm here, and the natural landscape is post-apocalyptic yet undeniably beautiful. We may not want to call the AV home forever, but California as a whole has really lured us in. There is so much to do, and oceans/mountains/forests/deserts are all only a few hours away.
W - Wild River State Park
A state park in Minnesota where T and I attempted our first backpacking trip. Unfortunately the campsite was located in a prairie grassland area, which in early summer in Minnesota is a hotbed for ticks. Soon after setting up camp we started discovering ticks crawling on each other. What followed was a horrific night of picking what felt like hundreds of ticks off each other and waking up at 4am to the sound of cows mooing in a nearby pasture. Oh, the romance...
X - X2
The X2 is a ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain here in California. I posted about it previously. T will tell you it was the best ride he's ever been on. I will tell you it is the closest to a near-death experience I have had to date. Shudder.
Y - Yoga
Little known fact, T took a yoga class with me when we were living in St. Paul. Our instructor whose name was Paul was about five feet tall, ninety pounds, and drove a car plastered with Dennis Kucinich stickers. He burned incense and chanted poetry at the end of each session. T was such a trooper to go with me, and surprisingly he was much better at it than I was.
Z - Ziti
T's favorite dish that I make is a five cheese baked ziti modeled off of the Olive Garden version. It is everything we love in a dinner - pasta, garlic bread, and several tons of cheese. My mouth is watering as I type this. Time for a snack...perhaps some cheese.
Well that's it - A to Z.
T - you are my best friend and I love you very much. Looking forward to many more great years to come. Happy Anniversary!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
An Unexpected Gift
I heard from a friend recently that the county animal shelters in our area of California are severely underfunded and overcrowded. When we moved here, I was shocked at the large population of stray dogs and feral cats roaming the neighborhoods. Pet abandonment is one of the sadder products of our struggling economic climate. We are proud owners of two dogs, one of which we adopted. I'd like to share our experience now, because it has been very fulfilling, and hopefully it will inspire someone somewhere to consider adopting a pet in the future.
We moved to Ohio in June of 2009 with our brand new puppy Tess, purchased from a breeder on a farm in Minnesota. Tess was smart, playful, and loving. It was so fun to see her grow. By August on a whim we started thinking that it might be good for her to have a companion, and determined that there was room in our hearts and lives for another dog. After deciding that another puppy would be too overwhelming, we trekked to the local Humane Society in Dayton to look for an older dog to adopt. T walked through the kennels first while I stayed with Tess in the waiting room. I went back next and immediately noticed a yellow lab out of the corner of my eye. "He's such a sweet boy," one of the workers said, following my gaze to the 2 year old lab. "So calm and gentle." I walked up to his cage and put my hand up to the bars. He lazily sauntered over, and gave me a slow kiss on the hand with his giant tongue. He had the most soulful eyes, and a sky blue bandana tied around his neck. There was a pile of doggy puke in the corner, and he looked just plain tuckered out. "He just had his neuter surgery this morning," the woman continued. "He's still a little groggy." As I walked back out to the waiting room, I couldn't help but feel like the decision had just been made for us, and that in that brief moment he had chosen our family. T went back again to see him, and when he returned, I could see on T's face that he felt the same way.
We came back the next day to take the dog, who had been given the name Buster, home. We thought maybe he knew his name (it turns out he would have answered to anything spoken in a friendly high pitched tone), so Buster he remained. It seemed to suit him. Buster jumped into the backseat of my Saturn the minute I opened the door. He settled in next to Tess, and we were off. That's when everything started to go to #$*!. I had left his adoption papers on the top of the car, so seconds later they were strewn all over Hwy 75. Next Tess got carsick and puked all over the backseat and her new brother Buster. Buster, to his credit, did not seem overly ruffled by this. Once home though he got upset when we tried to make him go upstairs (not sure if he wasn't familiar with more than one level, or wasn't allowed upstairs in his old home), and he nervously peed all over the TV stand in our bedroom. He then proceeded to develop a cough, and green phlegm began to leak out of his nose. At the vet's office the next day we discovered Buster had contracted kennel cough in the shelter, and bonus, he also had cataracts in his eyes and bad teeth that would require corrective dental surgery. I began to panic, and wonder what we had gotten ourselves into.
Once Buster's kennel cough cleared up, his true personality started to emerge. He began to befriend Tess. They became instant playmates, trouncing and wrestling throughout the house, and snuggling up together afterwards for naps. We discovered he did not know how to play with toys, or hold treats and bones to chew on. Buster was very afraid of being scolded and ran from loud noises, leading us to believe that he perhaps had suffered abuse in his past. Despite this, he was very affectionate and trusting. From the very beginning, he loved to cuddle. It was like he had a radar for it, and whenever anyone in the house would assume a relaxed seated position, there Buster would be, ready to join in. Within 30 seconds of snuggling, his eyes would begin to close and the foghorn-esque snores would commence. It was hard to be annoyed by it, because he was so cute and soft and comfy.
As the months and years passed, Buster became fiercely loyal and very protective of our family. He guards our house with a ferocious bark, but greets invited guests with a wagging tail and loving licks. Whenever I get a bad migraine (which has been a lot lately), Buster seems to sense it. He stays by my side, often laying by my feet for hours until I feel better. He keeps an eye on his sister Tess at the dog park, making sure none of the other dogs play too roughly with her. If they do, he intervenes. Buster walks out to the garage to say goodbye to T when he leaves for work in the morning, and waits at the door barking excitedly when T's car enters the garage again in the evenings. He is never in a bad mood, and doesn't hold a grudge when I am a bad momma and don't walk him.
It's been such a delight to see him shed his old anxieties and troubles and become a happy and energetic dog. Watching him consume a Busy Bone, or tow his toy gorilla around the backyard, or zoom up and down the dog beach in Santa Barbara, is worth all the vet visits, poop, and puke. Even when he gets into trouble (like frequently eating entire sandwiches left on the coffee table unattended), I just have to laugh. We don't let the dogs sleep in bed with us generally, but lately Buster has been waiting until we are both fast asleep, and then he sneaks up and crawls in between us. If one of us wakes up, notices, and tries to extricate him, he does not cooperate, and since we don't have the energy to kick him off when we're semi-conscious, he usually gets his way.
It's hard to invision what life will be like without Buster someday, and I don't like to think about it too often. He is almost five, so we hopefully have lots of good years left with him - and I plan to enjoy every moment of it. Buster has been an unexpected gift and blessing to our family, and I truly think God gave us to him, and him to us, for a reason. Hopefully I don't sound like too much of a dog freak, I promise I won't end up on an episode of "Animal Hoarders" or anything like that. If you're thinking about getting a dog, I hope you'll consider adopting one. There are so many Busters out there, just waiting for their future families to come and get them.
We moved to Ohio in June of 2009 with our brand new puppy Tess, purchased from a breeder on a farm in Minnesota. Tess was smart, playful, and loving. It was so fun to see her grow. By August on a whim we started thinking that it might be good for her to have a companion, and determined that there was room in our hearts and lives for another dog. After deciding that another puppy would be too overwhelming, we trekked to the local Humane Society in Dayton to look for an older dog to adopt. T walked through the kennels first while I stayed with Tess in the waiting room. I went back next and immediately noticed a yellow lab out of the corner of my eye. "He's such a sweet boy," one of the workers said, following my gaze to the 2 year old lab. "So calm and gentle." I walked up to his cage and put my hand up to the bars. He lazily sauntered over, and gave me a slow kiss on the hand with his giant tongue. He had the most soulful eyes, and a sky blue bandana tied around his neck. There was a pile of doggy puke in the corner, and he looked just plain tuckered out. "He just had his neuter surgery this morning," the woman continued. "He's still a little groggy." As I walked back out to the waiting room, I couldn't help but feel like the decision had just been made for us, and that in that brief moment he had chosen our family. T went back again to see him, and when he returned, I could see on T's face that he felt the same way.
We came back the next day to take the dog, who had been given the name Buster, home. We thought maybe he knew his name (it turns out he would have answered to anything spoken in a friendly high pitched tone), so Buster he remained. It seemed to suit him. Buster jumped into the backseat of my Saturn the minute I opened the door. He settled in next to Tess, and we were off. That's when everything started to go to #$*!. I had left his adoption papers on the top of the car, so seconds later they were strewn all over Hwy 75. Next Tess got carsick and puked all over the backseat and her new brother Buster. Buster, to his credit, did not seem overly ruffled by this. Once home though he got upset when we tried to make him go upstairs (not sure if he wasn't familiar with more than one level, or wasn't allowed upstairs in his old home), and he nervously peed all over the TV stand in our bedroom. He then proceeded to develop a cough, and green phlegm began to leak out of his nose. At the vet's office the next day we discovered Buster had contracted kennel cough in the shelter, and bonus, he also had cataracts in his eyes and bad teeth that would require corrective dental surgery. I began to panic, and wonder what we had gotten ourselves into.
Once Buster's kennel cough cleared up, his true personality started to emerge. He began to befriend Tess. They became instant playmates, trouncing and wrestling throughout the house, and snuggling up together afterwards for naps. We discovered he did not know how to play with toys, or hold treats and bones to chew on. Buster was very afraid of being scolded and ran from loud noises, leading us to believe that he perhaps had suffered abuse in his past. Despite this, he was very affectionate and trusting. From the very beginning, he loved to cuddle. It was like he had a radar for it, and whenever anyone in the house would assume a relaxed seated position, there Buster would be, ready to join in. Within 30 seconds of snuggling, his eyes would begin to close and the foghorn-esque snores would commence. It was hard to be annoyed by it, because he was so cute and soft and comfy.
As the months and years passed, Buster became fiercely loyal and very protective of our family. He guards our house with a ferocious bark, but greets invited guests with a wagging tail and loving licks. Whenever I get a bad migraine (which has been a lot lately), Buster seems to sense it. He stays by my side, often laying by my feet for hours until I feel better. He keeps an eye on his sister Tess at the dog park, making sure none of the other dogs play too roughly with her. If they do, he intervenes. Buster walks out to the garage to say goodbye to T when he leaves for work in the morning, and waits at the door barking excitedly when T's car enters the garage again in the evenings. He is never in a bad mood, and doesn't hold a grudge when I am a bad momma and don't walk him.
It's been such a delight to see him shed his old anxieties and troubles and become a happy and energetic dog. Watching him consume a Busy Bone, or tow his toy gorilla around the backyard, or zoom up and down the dog beach in Santa Barbara, is worth all the vet visits, poop, and puke. Even when he gets into trouble (like frequently eating entire sandwiches left on the coffee table unattended), I just have to laugh. We don't let the dogs sleep in bed with us generally, but lately Buster has been waiting until we are both fast asleep, and then he sneaks up and crawls in between us. If one of us wakes up, notices, and tries to extricate him, he does not cooperate, and since we don't have the energy to kick him off when we're semi-conscious, he usually gets his way.
It's hard to invision what life will be like without Buster someday, and I don't like to think about it too often. He is almost five, so we hopefully have lots of good years left with him - and I plan to enjoy every moment of it. Buster has been an unexpected gift and blessing to our family, and I truly think God gave us to him, and him to us, for a reason. Hopefully I don't sound like too much of a dog freak, I promise I won't end up on an episode of "Animal Hoarders" or anything like that. If you're thinking about getting a dog, I hope you'll consider adopting one. There are so many Busters out there, just waiting for their future families to come and get them.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Marrying Into "The Pack"
This Thursday night marks the beginning of a new season in our household - Football Season.
In my childhood home of St. Paul, Minnesota, the prevailing attitude towards football was always one of apathy, occasionally interrupted by periods of deep depression. It was a rare year when the University of Minnesota Gophers made a decent bowl game. Our lousy high school football team was very unpopular, and fell into the shadow of the dominant powerhouse ice hockey team. The pro team, the Minnesota Vikings, were the poster children for eternal disappointment. Every time it seemed like they were making a run at the NFL playoffs, they found inventive and cruel ways to spontaneously combust and let us down. I was not a fan of the sport as I entered college in 2003. Little did I know that three years later, I would be able to say differently.
In the fall of 2006, I accompanied my then-boyfriend (and a Wisconsin native) of nine months to his parents' home in the western suburbs one Sunday. It was then I discovered their family's not-so-secret obsession - the NFL, and more specifically, the Green Bay Packers. We were led down into their basement where two TVs were set up side-by-side, so that two games could be viewed at all times. A variety of snacks were laid out lovingly on the coffee table. A pot of chili warmed on the stove, a perfect meal for our northern climate, which was growing frigid rapidly. The whole family was wearing green and yellow, a bold color combination in my opinion. We piled onto comfy couches to watch the first games of the day, and did not move. For the next 8 hours. And this was not a casual, have the game on in the background and engage in idle chatter type of viewing. Their eyes were glued, their muscles were tensed, and screams of horror and triumph echoed through the household every few plays. I, who did not know quarterback from cornerback, felt like I was on Mars.
But over the next few years (and many marathon Sundays), football began to grow on me. Before I knew what was happening to me, I could rattle off the names of all the quarterbacks in the league, found myself uttering profanities about Troy Aikman's lack of play-by-play capabilities, shrieked with delight whenever Clay Matthews was about to make a big sack, and had a startlingly large collection of the afore-mentioned green and yellow clothing. A few weeks after our wedding, we traveled to Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day weekend to see the Packers take on the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field. The stadium there had an aged and mystical quality to it, like if you leaned in close enough you could hear the voices and stories of all the players and championships that had come before. At game time the temperature was somewhere around 25 degrees, and by halftime it began to snow. I wore bulky snowpants with longjohns underneath, a definite fashion milestone for me. Weather like that hardly seems like it would evoke a party atmosphere, but the Green Bay fans were loyal, loud, and jovial (in most cases aided by alcoholic beverages). It was a really fun experience, and they didn't even win the game.
Now every autumn, no matter where the military takes us, DirecTV provides us the NFL package so that we never miss a Green Bay game, or any other game for that matter. Football Sundays are tradition. My husband awakes early in the morning to listen to the Packer Preview (on Minnesota sports radio) which is now on at 6am in our Pacific time zone, making it even more impressive. Usually we start prepping a delicious meal in the crockpot in the late morning, so it will be ready to eat by game time. The puppies don their Pack Attack bandanas, and we pull on our jerseys. The games begin, and we are riveted. Last year was a roller coaster (and Buster spent most of it hiding behind the couch, afraid of all the yelling), ending with an exciting win for the Packers in the Super Bowl. It will be challenging for them to top last year, to say the least. But I will hope for another Lombardi Trophy in 2012, because I am now admittedly, a devoted member of "The Pack."
In my childhood home of St. Paul, Minnesota, the prevailing attitude towards football was always one of apathy, occasionally interrupted by periods of deep depression. It was a rare year when the University of Minnesota Gophers made a decent bowl game. Our lousy high school football team was very unpopular, and fell into the shadow of the dominant powerhouse ice hockey team. The pro team, the Minnesota Vikings, were the poster children for eternal disappointment. Every time it seemed like they were making a run at the NFL playoffs, they found inventive and cruel ways to spontaneously combust and let us down. I was not a fan of the sport as I entered college in 2003. Little did I know that three years later, I would be able to say differently.
In the fall of 2006, I accompanied my then-boyfriend (and a Wisconsin native) of nine months to his parents' home in the western suburbs one Sunday. It was then I discovered their family's not-so-secret obsession - the NFL, and more specifically, the Green Bay Packers. We were led down into their basement where two TVs were set up side-by-side, so that two games could be viewed at all times. A variety of snacks were laid out lovingly on the coffee table. A pot of chili warmed on the stove, a perfect meal for our northern climate, which was growing frigid rapidly. The whole family was wearing green and yellow, a bold color combination in my opinion. We piled onto comfy couches to watch the first games of the day, and did not move. For the next 8 hours. And this was not a casual, have the game on in the background and engage in idle chatter type of viewing. Their eyes were glued, their muscles were tensed, and screams of horror and triumph echoed through the household every few plays. I, who did not know quarterback from cornerback, felt like I was on Mars.
But over the next few years (and many marathon Sundays), football began to grow on me. Before I knew what was happening to me, I could rattle off the names of all the quarterbacks in the league, found myself uttering profanities about Troy Aikman's lack of play-by-play capabilities, shrieked with delight whenever Clay Matthews was about to make a big sack, and had a startlingly large collection of the afore-mentioned green and yellow clothing. A few weeks after our wedding, we traveled to Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day weekend to see the Packers take on the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field. The stadium there had an aged and mystical quality to it, like if you leaned in close enough you could hear the voices and stories of all the players and championships that had come before. At game time the temperature was somewhere around 25 degrees, and by halftime it began to snow. I wore bulky snowpants with longjohns underneath, a definite fashion milestone for me. Weather like that hardly seems like it would evoke a party atmosphere, but the Green Bay fans were loyal, loud, and jovial (in most cases aided by alcoholic beverages). It was a really fun experience, and they didn't even win the game.
Now every autumn, no matter where the military takes us, DirecTV provides us the NFL package so that we never miss a Green Bay game, or any other game for that matter. Football Sundays are tradition. My husband awakes early in the morning to listen to the Packer Preview (on Minnesota sports radio) which is now on at 6am in our Pacific time zone, making it even more impressive. Usually we start prepping a delicious meal in the crockpot in the late morning, so it will be ready to eat by game time. The puppies don their Pack Attack bandanas, and we pull on our jerseys. The games begin, and we are riveted. Last year was a roller coaster (and Buster spent most of it hiding behind the couch, afraid of all the yelling), ending with an exciting win for the Packers in the Super Bowl. It will be challenging for them to top last year, to say the least. But I will hope for another Lombardi Trophy in 2012, because I am now admittedly, a devoted member of "The Pack."
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