Oh Say Can You See

Matt and I have planned a weekend away this weekend. It's not very far away, but its a chance to detach from the house, the cats, work and responsibilities for a couple of days and enjoy each others' company without feeling guilty for not working on the house and before Stella makes her arrival.

Where are we going you ask? Washington DC.

Don't we live just outside of DC? Why yes, yes we do.

Um? Yes, I know - but we never go to DC. We always talk about it but never do.



This year, after hearing so much about the awesome fireworks show, I decided (completely spontaneously last weekend***) that we were going to get a hotel room in downtown DC for Friday & Saturday nights and enjoy ourselves. We're not making any plans, schedules or reservations. Our only goal is to watch fireworks, enjoy ourselves and relax with each other. However, if you have any suggestions of things we should see or restaurants we just have to try, please feel free to let us know about it.

I'm ready for the weekend. Now if only I could have a beer. Or three.

***My Mom works for Marriott and I get family discounts. When I made the call, I thought for sure they would be completely booked and my spontaneous plans would be dashed. I was pleasantly surprised.

Summertime and Winter Clothes

I've just recently realized that summertime doesn't mean much to me anymore.

1. I'm not in school anymore so having 3 months of freedom is just a vague memory from the past.
2. I don't have children so I don't have to worry about keeping them occupied for 3 months.
3. I still have to go to work everyday.

Summer here in Virginia is very different. Back home, it's very humid and muggy. I hear people complain about the humidity here and I just laugh. You guys don't KNOW humid. If it does happen to get overly humid here - it only lasts 1-2 days. It's all humid, all the time back home. This is actually a nice change from what I'm used to - but I don't want to get used to it. If I get used to it, I won't enjoy it as much as I do right now. It will also be hard to go back home.

Winter only lasted a few weeks (if that) in Florida so summer was all the time for me. Now that I'm in Virginia, I'm starting to think differently. Summer is beginning to mean something to me now. I still won't have 3 months of freedom, I still have to get up for work everyday and I haven't magically and spontaneously had any children but winter is coming. WINTER IS COMING! Yes, I know it's a bit early to worry about winter, but I don't like the cold.

If you've been reading regularly, you know I "landed" here in mid-March and it was COLD. I don't care what anyone else says. I was frozen and I wanted nothing more than to go home. I was very grateful when it started warming up - in June. Now I'm looking forward and realizing that the cold will come back - and before I know it, I will be freezing again. And cranky. (Hey, don't laugh! It's August and I have to turn the heat on in the car in the morning on my way in to work, and I think the evenings are getting a bit chilly. If you don't believe me, go ask my husband!) Not to mention, we don't have any warm weather clothing, we have NO idea how to drive in snow and I'm scared out of my mind to face ice. ICE?!?!?!

With all that being vented about, we went shopping today for some warm weather clothing, both online and at a local store. I think we made out pretty well. We spent $500 and I think we both got everything we will need - water repellant coats, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, gloves, warm socks, long underwear, and winter boots. I'm thinking we made out pretty cheap - considering my husband is very tall and finding him clothing that fits him is difficult and expensive.

So hey! Winter! - BRING IT ON!
I'll be the one in the corner whimpering.

PS. Matt is sitting here looking for places to go snow-tubing. I'm scared. He's excited. This is going to be an interesting winter.

Morning! or Evening!....Afternoon?

Hello world!

I'm awake. I'm even functioning.

The night shifts aren't as bad as I thought they'd be. Actually, they've turned out to be a good thing. Nights are slower and the techs that I am working with have time to train me on the machines that will eventually be 'mine'. They call me their engineer - which I think is funny - but it is exactly what I am. I will be (after they finish stuffing my brain with stuff) their engineer.

The worst part about the night shift is not feeling like there is a break between the times that I have to go back to work. I work 12 hours, go home and go directly to bed, then I get up with just enough time to eat dinner, shower, dress and get out the door for another shift. The upside, 3 or 4 days off (depending on the week) in a row. Which is why I'm in Florida, dethawing, right now.

I shouldn't complain so much about Virginia. I know, without a doubt, that this was the right decision and we will adjust to the differences between the two states. I'm just so home sick. It would be so much easier if Matt was able to come up with me, but again, him staying here was also the right decision. Actually, it was the only decision - this is the way it has to be right now. I promise, once I and we get settled, I won't be so fussy.

Actually, I'm going to do my very best to be more positive about this whole thing from this moment on. Not only for your sakes, but for my peace of mind - and for Matt. Poor thing - he has to put up with me more than you guys do!

And did I tell you? We get married in 3 weeks. 3! Three! Tres!
HOLY FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, BATMAN!!!
It seems like just yesterday we were talking about cakes and such.

Lately, a lot of people are asking both of us if we're getting nervous and no, we're not. We feel the same about this now as we did 9 months ago. It's time and it's right. If we were nervous about this, we wouldn't be doing it. We've been together for so long - I can't imagine any real change. And yes, I know, everyone says it's SO different. I'll let you know what I think about the differences when we get there!

That's it for now. I'm going out to enjoy the warm, sunny Florida weather while I'm here.

Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight

Tonight, I will do my best to stay up as late as I possibly can. Tomorrow evening I start my first 12 hour night shift. I'm looking forward to it and a bit hesitant at the same time. I'm finally going to start learning my job and getting my "hands dirty", but HOLY! 12 hours over night. I start my shift at 6:30pm and get off at 7am - hopefully I won't fall asleep on the job.

On the upside, I leave Saturday morning (immediately after my 12 hour shift) for HOME! Warm, toasty, humid, air not so thin home. I'm so looking forward to being warm again. I have never hurt so bad for so long in all my life. My hands stay cold and blue and just barely bending my knuckles is extremely painful - stupid Raynauds. And my lower back is stiff and cranky. Sigh. I really hope I like this job, I'm not digging the weather so far.

Of course, I can't wait to see Matt. I miss him so much - and the Critter Crew. I never realized how much I'd miss just having him around to pester, pick on and giggle with. The plan is to pick up my dress from the cleaners on Saturday afternoon and drive straight to Ft. Myers so my Mother can finish working on it (just minor touch ups). We will stay overnight and leave Sunday afternoon for an evening meeting with the wedding coordinator and owner of the wedding site. We will have dinner with Matts parents on Monday and I will be back on a plan Tuesday evening. Yes, it will be a very busy few days, but I'll be home and warm.

Virginia isn't all bad, I've enjoyed my early evening walks through the parks here. It's a change of scenary and a bit more challenging with the hills. I've learned to bundle up with gloves and a hat, especially when the wind is whipping around (with the sole intention of making me miserable) and I'm even becoming accustomed to the strange looks I get from the natives. Apparently, they think this is Spring-time and are out running the trails in shorts and short-sleeve shirts. Nutcases! This morning, the weather man said 30 degrees - that does NOT feel very Springy to me.

Anyway, I have no idea when I'll be coherent again, so if you don't hear from me for a while, I'll either be sleeping or wandering around in a zombie like state. Just prop me in a corner if you find me fallen over someplace.

Happy Easter Everybody!

Yup, it's a hay bale Easter Bunny.

I was driving around today, exploring again when I came upon this. This is definately something I'd never see in Florida - and I'm not quite sure how I feel about seeing it here. Although, it is kind of cute, isn't it?