Q and A

Q: What's the different between bird flu and swine flu?

A: For bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment.

somewhere in his thirties.

Over the last month, feels like we've likely spent all of 10 nights in the same bed. He traveled some. I traveled some. Absence made my heart grow fonder, yes, but also annoyed. Like, Why can't I just hang out with the dude I married? I don't even like anyone else on this blasted planet. Geez, all this travel is lame. (Okay I like a few others... ;))

When he came home from his two-week audit, my mister jumped out of the cab, scooped me up into his arms with a big hug and carried in all of his luggage. He unloaded his laundry and began washing it himself. Then, he took me out to dinner.

Was he just being sweet because he'd been away and he missed me? No. Constantly doing for me is this guy's norm.

Usually the wife is the only one who does the serving, but my husband finds genuine joy in serving me, too. Upstairs for a glass of ice water. To the store for some much needed dinner miscellany. To Pier One for some candles. Rubbing my sore temples. Lotion-ing my feet until their baby soft. Retrieving dishes from the top shelf. Hanging frame after frame in just the right spot.

He sets the table. He makes my side of the bed. He sometimes does my laundry. He picks up my prescriptions. He leaves me chalkboard love notes. He turns on a movie. He hunts down Starbucks when I've a hankerin'. He drives me to see my family.

My husband is happy when he's made me happy. And the great thing is, I feel the same. It's not a cliche. It's not a blogging wife trying to make her life look sweeter than it actually is. It's my reality. I married a guy who doesn't complain when I ask him to wipe out his wiskers from the sink. I married I guy who believes a man should do the dishes if a woman cooked the meal. I married a guy who sleeps on the couch if he thinks he might be disturbing me while I slumber on an important night.

It's his birthday, this super-fellow I've snagged, and I'm so very grateful that it's the 12th one I've been around for. His hair's a little grayer. His lines a little deeper. His mind a little wiser. I've been fortunate to be here to see the change and appreciate the years. I look forward to many more, for this catch is mine for good. I couldn't be luckier.

Happy Birthday Frank!

Things I Heart!

I'm loving jewelry with woodland creatures for fall. The matroyska necklace is not something I would wear, but it reminded me of Russia. Since friends who adopted from Russia read this blog... I thought they might like it. The personalized guitar pick necklace is especially for a certain someone this Christmas... of course, it will not be pink.

These two Halloween costumes seem like a fresh take on two of my favorite children's books!

When I came across these hats, I thought what a simple costume idea. Buy a cute hat and pair it with a black turtle neck and leggings = black cat costume for a little one. Same goes for a monkey, if you can find a simple brown outfit.

Apparently in today's world it is a requirement for children to wear bike helmets. Safe, yes... cool, well, not in my day. Here are two helmets that are about the coolest thing I've ever seen.

I'm a sucker for lovely stationary and invitations. This Etsy seller has some really nice items. Here are two of my favs.

Movie Buff Monday!

(1) Gamer: I have to admit that this movie review might be slightly tainted because I was in a happy daze while I watched the film. You see, the movie ticket person stopped Frank and I to tell me what beautiful eyes I have. Don't you just love random compliments from strangers?! :) Made my day, er movie going experience. The movie itself was strange, bizarre to say the least. Very techie, very modern, futuristic. I liked the undertone message - technology is getting out of control. It was a little too riske' for my taste, but it had a good soundtrack and overall was entertaining. What was with the Broadway dance scene though?
(2) G.I. Joe: Um, bad. Really bad. Frank even wanted to walk out.
(3)500 Days of Summer: Loved Zooey Deschanel before this movie. It started with Elf. Love her unique style, quirky singing. I even loved her "Cotton" commercial. So this movie was on my highly anticipated list. It did not disappoint. Do not go to see this thinking it's the usual romantic comedy. You will be disappointed. Do go if you want a fun, make you think about true love, great soundtrack and styling movie. Don't worry that summer is over... it's not a season, it's her name.
(4) Whiteout: While I love Kate Beckinsale (she can do bad a$s while still looking pretty... and I heart her accent, too!) she wasn't enough to save this movie! Sure there were a few times I jumped. I enjoyed the medical autopsies. I enjoyed the few cheesy jokes. But overall, it was lame and predictable. I think they even did a bad job of making the freezing cold temperatures of Antarctica come to life.
(5) All About Steve: Again, a leading actress I love. Sandra Bullock. Cute and witty. Usually funny. Didn't really think this movie was all that funny, though. We thought it was predictable and a little on the wacky side. Girl looked good in those red boots, though!

(6) Couples Retreat: LOVED IT! So funny! We were afraid that the trailers showed all the good jokes, but it was not the case. Go see it with your husband or wife! Everyone can relate to one of these couples! Made us miss Cayman, though.

(7) Surrogates: We were disappointed by this movie. Frank is a big Bruce Willis fan, so he had high hopes. This one didn't really deliver. Yeah, there were crashes and explosions and guns and fights. Yep, there were neato special effects with technology. Just didn't really have a great storyline. Kinda slow, which seems impossible in a Willis action film. Bummer.

(8) Love Happens: Very sweet. Frank actually enjoyed this and he is NOT a fan of romantic comedies. Bring your tissues because it is sad, but overall a good movie. Laughed, cried, made you think.

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You:
*Law Abiding Citizen
*The Step Father
*Where the Wild Things Are
*Amelia

Ten on Tuesday: Notes from a Jersey Girl.

We are in Princeton, NJ. He's on audit, I'm pretending to be an explorer. Here are some of my thoughts of late:

1. I love listening to the wind wipe just beyond our hotel room window. Even more - I love that, just as I suspected, the leaves are twisting wildly outside on the wind. Fall has officially arrived and I'm loving it!

2. I must confess that I gave in to something I said I would never do. I bought a pair of jeans that are "pre-ripped." I never understood why someone would pay good money for tore up jeans. Now I get it. I feel "hipper" and they fit my bum just right, too! ;)

3. Yesterday I sat in on a Princeton medical lecture. It was exhilarating to be that rebellious. That is until I was called on by a professor. Yes, a Princeton professor. Luckily Dr. K prepared me well enough in the therapeutics section of Pharmacology and I was able to answer like a pro. When the class was over, I quickly shuffled out trying to avoid an awkward, "do you actually go here?" Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it out in time. A friendly girl asked me, "are you new? I've never seen you in this class before." I smiled and told her that I was just checking out the campus. Phew! Espionage is risky business folks.

4. I can hear the maid coming up the stairs with her cleaning cart.... better hurry up with this post. Having room service, daily housekeeping and a buffet in the mornings is mighty convenient. I'll be sad to see my Paris Hilton days come to an end...

5. My new favorite shoes are -> these. Don't feel as cute in them as I do my new boots, but they are oh-so-comfy and just right for shuffling around campuses and hotel courtyards. ;)

6. There really is truth to the "Jersey Girl" stereotype. I have seen more bad hair, chewing gum and b!tchiness in the last week than I have in 6 months in Chicago. No offense to anyone from NJ, but gosh I love my windy city ladies and their fashion!!

7. We visited NYC, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and romped around Philadelphia last weekend. Two great cities in one weekend! I'll have pictures and stories coming soon.

8. Frank & I have done pretty well with crossing to-do's off of our Fall Goals list. Next up when we get home is a visit to the Pumpkin patch. I can't wait to decorate for Halloween!! With family visiting two weekends in a row, plus it's Frank's bday - there is a lot to look forward to!

9. Tonight we're going to sit out by the fire and sip hot cocoas. (Yes, this hotel has an outdoor fire pit!) I know because my sweet hubby promised me he would sit there with me if I made out with him. What a guy, right?! ;) I told you I'm living the dream life of a Jersey Girl this week.

10. Just wanted to close with a big GO STATE! My team beat Frank's team last Saturday!! A little salt in the wound never hurt anyone. lol.

A Prayer.

I pray for peace. For everyone involved. For all of our strength. I pray that the lesson is worth it in the end.

I pray that someday, we'll get through these things. That I'll forgive. That he'll mend his wounds.

I pray for this cycle to stop with me.

I pray for the solitude to end. That someday, I'll have my Dad back again.

Dizzy Blonde.

I tend to be clumsy from time to time. The other day I was in the kitchen, bent over to pick something up and BAM! I smacked my head under the corner of one of our kitchen cabinets. It hurt. Bad. I was actually pretty dizzy for a moment, but I refused to get stitches: 1. Because I don't like going to the doctor (go figure!) and 2. because I am too vain to have a weird scar mess up my hair part. Since this happened, Frank keeps saying, "well at least you have an excuse for being a dizzy blonde now!" :p