Click here to see a post about Clydas on the couple's blog!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Lots of New and Strategizing
So the good news is - My Sailor is home safe and sound! We had 4 glorious days together. We saw 2 movies: Mission Impossible : Ghost Protocal - which is SO much more entertaining when you're watching with someone who understands nuclear weapons to the point where he starts to laugh at the inaccuracies, and Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. We both really loved both movies.
We also bought a new car!
Well, new to us - which is all that really matters. It's a 1999 Audi that we love. Since My Sailor is having to work crazy hours, 2 cars are a must now and thankfully, we're in a position where we can afford a second car, without overextending ourselves. Which is a relief! It's also nice to know we have a back up if something goes massively wrong with the other car and we can't repair it right away.
So we had a few days together, but we decided not to both turning around My Sailor's sleep schedule. His work schedule is noon until 11pm on some days, and until 3am on every day. That includes weekends - though he'll be getting every other weekend off. So that doesn't make for a lot of together time. In fact, if I had a "day job" that required me to be at an office, we wouldn't really see each other much at all for the next couple months.
So how do you make "quality time" when all you have to work with is a lunch break? Well, you do little things for each other.
Today was a great example. While I was working, My Sailor did the dishes and general cleaning in the kitchen. A small thing that only took him a few minutes but took one thing off my mind, so when I got off work, I could just relax.
And a clean kitchen made it so much easier to bake up something special to return the favor -
I made very few of them (1 small batch) so I had a few for dessert tonight, and the rest I'll leave for him around his work week. I figured I can hide one inny the Audi (I couldn't resist) before work, and maybe leave one or two on a plate for when he comes home. The left overs will be shipped out in some care packages for some gal pals. They aren't that bad for you either (4 of them run about 190 calories).
When the going gets tough - the tough get creative!
I can't wait for our "spring break" vacation! Looks like this March we may be going to Michigan and making a quick trip to Disneyworld and SeaWorld!
We also bought a new car!
Well, new to us - which is all that really matters. It's a 1999 Audi that we love. Since My Sailor is having to work crazy hours, 2 cars are a must now and thankfully, we're in a position where we can afford a second car, without overextending ourselves. Which is a relief! It's also nice to know we have a back up if something goes massively wrong with the other car and we can't repair it right away.
So we had a few days together, but we decided not to both turning around My Sailor's sleep schedule. His work schedule is noon until 11pm on some days, and until 3am on every day. That includes weekends - though he'll be getting every other weekend off. So that doesn't make for a lot of together time. In fact, if I had a "day job" that required me to be at an office, we wouldn't really see each other much at all for the next couple months.
So how do you make "quality time" when all you have to work with is a lunch break? Well, you do little things for each other.
Today was a great example. While I was working, My Sailor did the dishes and general cleaning in the kitchen. A small thing that only took him a few minutes but took one thing off my mind, so when I got off work, I could just relax.
And a clean kitchen made it so much easier to bake up something special to return the favor -
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| Cinnamon Sugar Cookies - Hearts and Stars |
I made very few of them (1 small batch) so I had a few for dessert tonight, and the rest I'll leave for him around his work week. I figured I can hide one inny the Audi (I couldn't resist) before work, and maybe leave one or two on a plate for when he comes home. The left overs will be shipped out in some care packages for some gal pals. They aren't that bad for you either (4 of them run about 190 calories).
When the going gets tough - the tough get creative!
I can't wait for our "spring break" vacation! Looks like this March we may be going to Michigan and making a quick trip to Disneyworld and SeaWorld!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Decisions make all the difference
It's been wonderful to have My Sailor back! Just these first few days have helped remind me what an amazing relationship we've grown into. The commitment is still the same one that he left with. We're in this life together, whether that means he's out "Finding Nemo", or I'm dealing with whatever this thing is. That decision alone has shaped so much of our lives, even when we didn't realize it.
When I was dx'd with PCOS in 1999, I went through the usual stages of depression and all that which comes with being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Once I snapped out of it, I realized that it was up to me to decide how much of my life this was going to define. How much was I going to relent and give in to symptoms? I think I've done a pretty good job of understanding that it's part of my life, while pushing back enough to not allow it to rule my life. This week has been another good example. That 'phantom pain' I mentioned before? Well, it's starting to have more in common with Endometriosis symptoms than anything else right now. To put it bluntly, it feels like someone is stabbing me with a knife where "righty" used to be. It's better when I don't move around much, or when I can distract myself by walking. Yes, it COULD be some weird muscular adhesion as well, but either way, there isn't really anything to be done but take some ibuprophen, put on my big girl panties, and carry on with a smile! So I haven't let it slow me down too much. Why? Because I decided long ago that I would listen to my body, but I wouldn't let aches, pains, and chronic conditions control how I feel about myself or what I do with my day (whenever humanly possible).
Because of that decision, I've really been able to enjoy time with My Sailor since he's been home (even though he's already back to work).
When I moved to Washington, I made another decision. Before I even left California, I decided that I wouldn't let the weather keep me "trapped" inside. So far, it hasn't. Sure, it's been super stormy sometimes, but I still get out a little bit everyday.
I guess this whole blog is a reminder to myself that, when we truly make decisions and firm commitments, the sky is the limit.
When I was dx'd with PCOS in 1999, I went through the usual stages of depression and all that which comes with being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Once I snapped out of it, I realized that it was up to me to decide how much of my life this was going to define. How much was I going to relent and give in to symptoms? I think I've done a pretty good job of understanding that it's part of my life, while pushing back enough to not allow it to rule my life. This week has been another good example. That 'phantom pain' I mentioned before? Well, it's starting to have more in common with Endometriosis symptoms than anything else right now. To put it bluntly, it feels like someone is stabbing me with a knife where "righty" used to be. It's better when I don't move around much, or when I can distract myself by walking. Yes, it COULD be some weird muscular adhesion as well, but either way, there isn't really anything to be done but take some ibuprophen, put on my big girl panties, and carry on with a smile! So I haven't let it slow me down too much. Why? Because I decided long ago that I would listen to my body, but I wouldn't let aches, pains, and chronic conditions control how I feel about myself or what I do with my day (whenever humanly possible).
Because of that decision, I've really been able to enjoy time with My Sailor since he's been home (even though he's already back to work).
When I moved to Washington, I made another decision. Before I even left California, I decided that I wouldn't let the weather keep me "trapped" inside. So far, it hasn't. Sure, it's been super stormy sometimes, but I still get out a little bit everyday.
I guess this whole blog is a reminder to myself that, when we truly make decisions and firm commitments, the sky is the limit.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
When the tide comes in...
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| My Sailor chatting it up with his family. |
That's My Sailor chatting it up with this family on the way home from pick up! I'm still in shock a little bit, but we are both really enjoying each other's company. It's funny the little things you miss. Holding each other's hand... voices... kisses... the way each could shares a glance with that intimate form of unspoken communication...
We're a bit nostalgic, so we ate dinner at the same place where he had his last meal on dry land, and spent the evening in a usual low key manner, snuggling on the couch to the rest of the a Michigan football game, and catching up on a few episodes of a favorite shows (Castle, Terra Nova, and South Park), enjoying the comfort of just having one another there.
Today, he's back at work, checking out of one boat and into another, and I'm doing laundry. As expected, there won't be any long breaks until March at this point, but we're hoping he'll be able to get a few days off so we can us a gift certificate my parents gave us to a gorgeous resort -
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| See that building on the upper left hand side of the phote? That's the Salish Lodge! |
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Something wonderful to meditate on today...
I am borrowing this list from a Myfitnesspal.com friend who is borrowing it from an unnamed Facebook friend so I can't site the source, but it made me smile, as it's the last thing I'll read before bed. Instead of scanning this list, take a moment to really meditate on them. I hope you'll find some of the peace and joy I did!
1. Believe in miracles.Yes, it is a choice.2. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance!
3. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.No one walks around with the inclination that they are perfect, but we all seem to think other people are.4. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
5. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile!But everything in Moderation.
6. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
7. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
8. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
9. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
10. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
11. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
12. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
13. Forgive everyone everything.
14. Sometimes you have to forgive yourself.
15. Well done is better than well said.
16. Fair comes once a year!
17. It's better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you're not.
18. Absolutely everyone is weird inside.The more you share with a stranger, the more alike you'll see we all are!
19. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.Dogs dry tears well.
20. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.Or smarter.21. The most important sex organ is the brain.
22. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
23. You can't stay mad at somebody who makes you laugh.
24. You succeed when you've gotten up one more time than you've fallen.
25. I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be OK.
26. Power is nothing unless you can turn it into influence.
27. Be gentle with the earth.
28. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
29. It's OK to play with your food.
30. Life doesn't weigh you down - it's the way you carry it.
31. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
32. Life is a JOURNEY, not a destination.
33. Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.
34. If you say you can't - you're right and if you say you can - you're still right.
35. Do unto others as you would have done to you and expect nothing in return.
36. Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. Welcome the new adventures, and know what pieces of the past to learn from and let go of.
37. LIVE OUT LOUD!
38. All that truly matter in the end is that you loved. And in that, everybody wins.
1. Believe in miracles.Yes, it is a choice.2. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance!
3. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.No one walks around with the inclination that they are perfect, but we all seem to think other people are.4. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
5. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile!But everything in Moderation.
6. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
7. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
8. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
9. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
10. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
11. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
12. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
13. Forgive everyone everything.
14. Sometimes you have to forgive yourself.
15. Well done is better than well said.
16. Fair comes once a year!
17. It's better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you're not.
18. Absolutely everyone is weird inside.The more you share with a stranger, the more alike you'll see we all are!
19. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.Dogs dry tears well.
20. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.Or smarter.21. The most important sex organ is the brain.
22. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
23. You can't stay mad at somebody who makes you laugh.
24. You succeed when you've gotten up one more time than you've fallen.
25. I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be OK.
26. Power is nothing unless you can turn it into influence.
27. Be gentle with the earth.
28. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
29. It's OK to play with your food.
30. Life doesn't weigh you down - it's the way you carry it.
31. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
32. Life is a JOURNEY, not a destination.
33. Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.
34. If you say you can't - you're right and if you say you can - you're still right.
35. Do unto others as you would have done to you and expect nothing in return.
36. Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. Welcome the new adventures, and know what pieces of the past to learn from and let go of.
37. LIVE OUT LOUD!
38. All that truly matter in the end is that you loved. And in that, everybody wins.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Of Email Checking and Other Blogs!
Greetings dear readers!
This last morning of my little "weekend" came far too early - even though I didn't roll out of bed until 9ish. I think Clydas has the right idea. Eat breakfast, take a nap.
I just wanted to take a moment to say - THE WELLNESS BLOG IS BACK! I'm still hammering out some issues with the look, but it's up, running, and readable. It'll be focusing on Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual wellness (since they are all tied together) without focusing on any on religion. Enjoy !
In other news, I find myself almost obsessively checking my email lately. I was really great about it when My Sailor first left - getting out of the house leaving the Acer behind seemed easy. But lately, it hasn't been. I guess that means I need to get out of the house more! Probably the truth. So that will be my goal for the day. Get out of the house a bit for something other than running errands.
Off to the showers I go!
This last morning of my little "weekend" came far too early - even though I didn't roll out of bed until 9ish. I think Clydas has the right idea. Eat breakfast, take a nap.
I just wanted to take a moment to say - THE WELLNESS BLOG IS BACK! I'm still hammering out some issues with the look, but it's up, running, and readable. It'll be focusing on Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual wellness (since they are all tied together) without focusing on any on religion. Enjoy !
In other news, I find myself almost obsessively checking my email lately. I was really great about it when My Sailor first left - getting out of the house leaving the Acer behind seemed easy. But lately, it hasn't been. I guess that means I need to get out of the house more! Probably the truth. So that will be my goal for the day. Get out of the house a bit for something other than running errands.
Off to the showers I go!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A peice on Phantom Pain
As most of my regular readers know (ye brave, ye few), I had "righty" (my right ovary) removed in the summer of 2010. In so many ways, it was a refreshing experience. On a personal level, I got to see how people handle their own fears. I got to see how I handle mine in a situation that could have turned deadly. And I got to see who was really in the trenches with me, and who couldn't be.
I'm about a year and a half out from that and I'm finally understanding some of the strange experiences I have now because of the surgery.
It actually started yesterday, and I didn't want to believe it. Thinking I was just exhausted from working such long hours and generally stressed, I thought I'd "sleep it off". Well, today, there is no mistaking it. After a little research, I'm convinced.
There is such a thing as phantom pain. I mean, I assumed it was true for limbs, but missing organs? Apparently the scar tissue can tighten and swell because your body is still designed to vascularize each ovary, depending on what internal schedule your body is on. Apparently it's been "lefty"s turn for a while and now it's "righty's" turn. Only "righty" checked out of hotel body a few years ago, and now the body is going, "What the (fill-in-explative-of-choice-here)?!". It's not as bad as I felt when I still had the tiny ball of disease growing in there, but it doesn't exactly make me want to get up and move around today.
But I've never let a little thing like pain keep me indoors, and today is no different! It's my first day off after four 10-12 hour days! I plan to enjoy it. I slept in for a good chunk of the day, and now I'm headed to take a shower, get dressed and head to a movie! And yes, I plan on starting the new year off right. I'll be walking to the movie theater and back. It's the first day of the new year!
I ended the new year on a healthy note, and I plan on starting off this one the same way and keeping it going. I weigh less at the end of this year, than I did at the end of last year! I plan on hitting my birthday in a few weeks in 1-derland, and I plan to stay there.
So there that's how I'm starting off 2012 - learning something new, making good choices, and, as Lou Mongello (and Walt Disney) said - "Keep Moving Forward."
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| 5 days post-op in Disneyland with Gerber Baby Family. Like my wheels? |
It actually started yesterday, and I didn't want to believe it. Thinking I was just exhausted from working such long hours and generally stressed, I thought I'd "sleep it off". Well, today, there is no mistaking it. After a little research, I'm convinced.
There is such a thing as phantom pain. I mean, I assumed it was true for limbs, but missing organs? Apparently the scar tissue can tighten and swell because your body is still designed to vascularize each ovary, depending on what internal schedule your body is on. Apparently it's been "lefty"s turn for a while and now it's "righty's" turn. Only "righty" checked out of hotel body a few years ago, and now the body is going, "What the (fill-in-explative-of-choice-here)?!". It's not as bad as I felt when I still had the tiny ball of disease growing in there, but it doesn't exactly make me want to get up and move around today.
But I've never let a little thing like pain keep me indoors, and today is no different! It's my first day off after four 10-12 hour days! I plan to enjoy it. I slept in for a good chunk of the day, and now I'm headed to take a shower, get dressed and head to a movie! And yes, I plan on starting the new year off right. I'll be walking to the movie theater and back. It's the first day of the new year!
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| New Years eve dinner - chicken and barley soup, spinach salad, and steamed veggies |
I ended the new year on a healthy note, and I plan on starting off this one the same way and keeping it going. I weigh less at the end of this year, than I did at the end of last year! I plan on hitting my birthday in a few weeks in 1-derland, and I plan to stay there.
So there that's how I'm starting off 2012 - learning something new, making good choices, and, as Lou Mongello (and Walt Disney) said - "Keep Moving Forward."
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