To 2011 and hoping a lot of the things that we have been working toward become a reality. 2010 has been a difficult year and I'm not sad to see it go. We have been through some big changes and I cannot, as of yet, weigh in on my feelings about all the things that have happened. It's too soon for me to put how I really feel about our new home, Josh's new job and Oklahoma in general into words and I'm afraid that the newness, scariness, sadness, and emptiness that goes along with so many epic changes will make a fair assessment impossible. So, I will not go there. Not yet.
As always, I am thankful that we have our health and that our boys are healthy, happy and well-adjusted. I look up to them in so many ways and they inspire me to to be a better mom, wife and person every day. I appreciate the love and support that my husband gives and try to understand that he is just a man who loves a woman who is insane. The sane part of me wants to wrap him up in all the love I have and be thankful that he hasn't entered the Witness Proection Program and disappeared into oblivion. The insane part of me wants to wrap him up in cement and throw him off a bridge. Fortunately, he is a lot bigger than me and I wouldn't make it very far in my insane plot.
I miss my family and friends. Some days, I'm perfectly happy to be miserable on the couch. There is a physical symptom of homesickness that I was unprepared for. Some days the knots in my stomach and emptiness in my chest are as noticeable as a headache that threatens but never quite shows up. Other days, it is like a migraine that rocks my world and throws everything off-kilter. I keep telling myself that this is just a part of adjusting to being so far away and that this will pass and everything will get better in time. I hope I'm right. Time will tell.
There are many things to look forward to in 2011 and I can't wait to share them with you all. Josh and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage and I will be turning (gulps) 30. We have trips both back home and to far away places that we are looking forward to. Because of all the good stuff ahead, I will be drawing a line at midnight tonight -
All things 2010: DO NOT CROSS THIS LINE!!
Love and hug to all.....until we see each other again,
Aub
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Hi....I'm Aubre
But you can call me Aub. If that'd be easier for you. I realize that Aubre is difficult (?) and not the traditional spelling of the name, so please, please call me Aub if that's what it will take to not have to see you call me:
Aubrey - Okay, this is the traditional spelling of the name and I let this one slip and don't let it bother me as much when people type this. Technically, it IS the correct spelling of my name just with a little something extra. I like to pretend the "y" is a pretty little decoration at the end. A gift of sorts. I suppose if you must misspell my name, this is acceptable.
Aubree - Close, but not quite. This reminds me of all those people out there that are adding letters to the ends of words and thinking it's.......cute? Clever? I don't know what they think, but here's my opinion: annoyinggggggggg. Stop. Please, just stop right now. Is your finger falling asleep? Are you having a stroke? No? Then, please don't do this and please, don't call me Aubree.
Aubrie - Nope. Not gonna fly. Don't go there. I don't even know what kind of moronic spelling this, but it makes me think there should be an extra syllable, like Aub-ry-ee. Yuck. Don't.
Abury - Are you drunk? This makes me think of a gross guy walking up to me in a bar, spilling his drink all over me and slurring out "Abury" like it's taking every last bit of concentration to say my name....and not vomit on my shoes. I'm not even sure why I had to include this one in the list, it's so ridiculous, but just two days ago I received an email confirmation with my name spelled like this. After I spelled it out for the woman. Twice.
In closing, dear friends, I want to assure you that although "Aubre" goes against the way traditionalists would have the name spelled and consequently, society's mandate on how it should be spelled, it is in fact, the way I spell my name. So, be assured that I did not misspell my own epithet on facebook. Don't feel the need to correct it by posting your version of it. It's Aubre. Always has been and always will be. If that's too difficult, call me Aub.
Love and hugs to all......until we see each other again,
Aub
Aubrey - Okay, this is the traditional spelling of the name and I let this one slip and don't let it bother me as much when people type this. Technically, it IS the correct spelling of my name just with a little something extra. I like to pretend the "y" is a pretty little decoration at the end. A gift of sorts. I suppose if you must misspell my name, this is acceptable.
Aubree - Close, but not quite. This reminds me of all those people out there that are adding letters to the ends of words and thinking it's.......cute? Clever? I don't know what they think, but here's my opinion: annoyinggggggggg. Stop. Please, just stop right now. Is your finger falling asleep? Are you having a stroke? No? Then, please don't do this and please, don't call me Aubree.
Aubrie - Nope. Not gonna fly. Don't go there. I don't even know what kind of moronic spelling this, but it makes me think there should be an extra syllable, like Aub-ry-ee. Yuck. Don't.
Abury - Are you drunk? This makes me think of a gross guy walking up to me in a bar, spilling his drink all over me and slurring out "Abury" like it's taking every last bit of concentration to say my name....and not vomit on my shoes. I'm not even sure why I had to include this one in the list, it's so ridiculous, but just two days ago I received an email confirmation with my name spelled like this. After I spelled it out for the woman. Twice.
In closing, dear friends, I want to assure you that although "Aubre" goes against the way traditionalists would have the name spelled and consequently, society's mandate on how it should be spelled, it is in fact, the way I spell my name. So, be assured that I did not misspell my own epithet on facebook. Don't feel the need to correct it by posting your version of it. It's Aubre. Always has been and always will be. If that's too difficult, call me Aub.
Love and hugs to all......until we see each other again,
Aub
Sunday, December 19, 2010
What Goes Up...
It's so funny how a great feeling and good mood can be followed by a sense of feeling flat line or even a little sad. Really funny. Ha. Ha ha. Ha. Ugh. We were so excited and happy finalize the sale of the house. Yep Closing day came. And went. But not without drama.
Before every good closing a final walk through takes place. Mind you, I haven't seen the place since November 5th. Since I left, the heating went out.....during the home inspection. Yeah, it sucked and was pretty scary, but it was only the pressure switch and it was an easy fix. No worries. Until...the final walk through. When they showed up, the house was forty degrees. FORTY. The heat wouldn't come on. Would not budge. That's a phone call I wasn't expecting. I called the heating people and she pulled a guy from a job to rush over to the house and address the issue (CHA-ching!). Turns out, the intake valve was covered in snow. The furnace kicks off and won't turn back on because of a safety feature preventing it from exhausting into the house. Good furnace. Here's a treat. Good boy. The heating guy shoveled some snow, cleared it away from the valve and the heat came on. Good furnace. Here's another treat. Then the heating and cooling people charged us $95. BAD FURNACE!!! NO. NO!
So there was nothing to keep us from closing. We were home free (pun intended) and anxiously awaiting the call from our agent that everything went off without a hitch. Except......there was a hitch. Our home buyer showed up 40 minutes late to his own closing and didn't call for the wire transfer of his part of the funds in time for the closing company to get it. Yep. Awesome. While they were able to do all the paperwork, they were unable to transfer the deed until the next morning when the wire cleared. It was still our place for another 16 hours. Oh well. What's another night? We didn't have to celebrate on Thursday. We could wait another night. Right? Right? Read on...
Our agent asked if we were "opposed" to giving him the keys to the house at closing since it was technically still ours. Of course we weren't. This guy has been cool about everything with the furnace and we're just so happy he bought it, it wasn't really a big deal that he take the keys. Except for when he went over to the house it was forty degrees again. BAD FURNACE. BAAAD. When our agent called us at like 8 that night to inform us, I thought for sure she must be joking. So here we were so close to getting rid of that place and yet I found myself calling the heating people and pressing "1" for "if you have a heating emergency." I spoke with the woman, the owner's wife. She was very sweet and really wanted to help us. She said she would send her husband over there to check it out immediately and offered to pray with me over the phone. It was a sweet gesture, but I declined. I just wasn't in the mood. Forgive me that. It was a loooong day. Turns out, it was just the pressure switch acting up again. He was able to "give it a jiggle" (whatever the crap that means) and the furnace kicked on. Good furnace. Awesome furnace. Please just work for 12 more hours furnace and then I don't care what you do.......furnace.
By Friday morning, when our agent called, told me the funds had cleared and we were officially D-O-N-E I didn't even feel giddy. Honestly, I felt a little cheated. We didn't get the feeling of relief that we wanted. We had to work for it up until that very last second. The cause was the same, but the effect wasn't at all what it was supposed to be. Maybe over time I'll stop being bitter, but probably not. I'm cynical. I'm resentful. I'm Aub. Have we met?
And with that, this one's for you 138 Brighton Lane. Hopefully you're as big of a pain in the rear to the next guy as you were to us.
Love and hugs to all.....until we see each other again.
Aub
Before every good closing a final walk through takes place. Mind you, I haven't seen the place since November 5th. Since I left, the heating went out.....during the home inspection. Yeah, it sucked and was pretty scary, but it was only the pressure switch and it was an easy fix. No worries. Until...the final walk through. When they showed up, the house was forty degrees. FORTY. The heat wouldn't come on. Would not budge. That's a phone call I wasn't expecting. I called the heating people and she pulled a guy from a job to rush over to the house and address the issue (CHA-ching!). Turns out, the intake valve was covered in snow. The furnace kicks off and won't turn back on because of a safety feature preventing it from exhausting into the house. Good furnace. Here's a treat. Good boy. The heating guy shoveled some snow, cleared it away from the valve and the heat came on. Good furnace. Here's another treat. Then the heating and cooling people charged us $95. BAD FURNACE!!! NO. NO!
So there was nothing to keep us from closing. We were home free (pun intended) and anxiously awaiting the call from our agent that everything went off without a hitch. Except......there was a hitch. Our home buyer showed up 40 minutes late to his own closing and didn't call for the wire transfer of his part of the funds in time for the closing company to get it. Yep. Awesome. While they were able to do all the paperwork, they were unable to transfer the deed until the next morning when the wire cleared. It was still our place for another 16 hours. Oh well. What's another night? We didn't have to celebrate on Thursday. We could wait another night. Right? Right? Read on...
Our agent asked if we were "opposed" to giving him the keys to the house at closing since it was technically still ours. Of course we weren't. This guy has been cool about everything with the furnace and we're just so happy he bought it, it wasn't really a big deal that he take the keys. Except for when he went over to the house it was forty degrees again. BAD FURNACE. BAAAD. When our agent called us at like 8 that night to inform us, I thought for sure she must be joking. So here we were so close to getting rid of that place and yet I found myself calling the heating people and pressing "1" for "if you have a heating emergency." I spoke with the woman, the owner's wife. She was very sweet and really wanted to help us. She said she would send her husband over there to check it out immediately and offered to pray with me over the phone. It was a sweet gesture, but I declined. I just wasn't in the mood. Forgive me that. It was a loooong day. Turns out, it was just the pressure switch acting up again. He was able to "give it a jiggle" (whatever the crap that means) and the furnace kicked on. Good furnace. Awesome furnace. Please just work for 12 more hours furnace and then I don't care what you do.......furnace.
By Friday morning, when our agent called, told me the funds had cleared and we were officially D-O-N-E I didn't even feel giddy. Honestly, I felt a little cheated. We didn't get the feeling of relief that we wanted. We had to work for it up until that very last second. The cause was the same, but the effect wasn't at all what it was supposed to be. Maybe over time I'll stop being bitter, but probably not. I'm cynical. I'm resentful. I'm Aub. Have we met?
And with that, this one's for you 138 Brighton Lane. Hopefully you're as big of a pain in the rear to the next guy as you were to us.
Love and hugs to all.....until we see each other again.
Aub
138 Brighton Lane. The early days.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
An Epic Three Hundred and Sixty Five
This year has been nuts. When I stop and think about all that we've taken on and accomplished since January 1st, my head spins. I was being cute the other night and asked Josh if he thought this time last year that in a single trip around the sun, we'd be living in Oklahoma with him taking a promotion with a new company (Chesapeake, nonetheless). He just stared at me and said, "Now, you know the answer to that." Truth is, of course I knew the answer to the question. I asked it because I cannot wrap my mind around it sometimes. So many big changes. And we've handled them all in stride.
It feels like we've opened and closed so many chapters on this crazy ride that 2010 has been. Another big chapter closes tomorrow as we sever our final tie to our two years in Pittsburgh. We are closing on our house! And that will be...that. The Jacksons will officially have nothing left there, but the friends we've taken with us and continue to love and miss. For the first time in 5 years, we will also not own a home. It's a strange prospect for us. It will take some adjusting, but ultimately I think it's best to not get tied down to anything here just yet. I like Oklahoma and Josh's job is amazing, but our history has shown that every two years, we will pack up our things and say goodbye and for just once, it would be cool to walk away. No strings attached, you know? I feel liberated to be able to look at the responsibility of home ownership and say, "Nah, we're good. Not right now." Until something happens to make me think otherwise, OKC may just be another pit stop on this crazy, wonderful ride. After my initial question to my hubby, I followed up by asking if he thinks the next year will be as crazy as this one. He said, "God, I hope not. My heart may give out."
Truth is, who knows what 2011 will bring? I'm excited to find out! :)
Love and hugs to all.....until we see each other again,
Aub
It feels like we've opened and closed so many chapters on this crazy ride that 2010 has been. Another big chapter closes tomorrow as we sever our final tie to our two years in Pittsburgh. We are closing on our house! And that will be...that. The Jacksons will officially have nothing left there, but the friends we've taken with us and continue to love and miss. For the first time in 5 years, we will also not own a home. It's a strange prospect for us. It will take some adjusting, but ultimately I think it's best to not get tied down to anything here just yet. I like Oklahoma and Josh's job is amazing, but our history has shown that every two years, we will pack up our things and say goodbye and for just once, it would be cool to walk away. No strings attached, you know? I feel liberated to be able to look at the responsibility of home ownership and say, "Nah, we're good. Not right now." Until something happens to make me think otherwise, OKC may just be another pit stop on this crazy, wonderful ride. After my initial question to my hubby, I followed up by asking if he thinks the next year will be as crazy as this one. He said, "God, I hope not. My heart may give out."
Truth is, who knows what 2011 will bring? I'm excited to find out! :)
Love and hugs to all.....until we see each other again,
Aub
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Negligence...Pure Unadulterated Negligence
My poor lonesome blog. Waiting for someone to come and fill in the blankness. I have been so negligent when it comes to keeping up with it that I don't even know where to begin. It's not for lack of anything to write about, that's for sure. We've had lots of developments in the last four weeks...
We got all of our stuff moved out here. Correction: I got all of our stuff moved out here. Correction: The movers got all of our stuff moved out here. I acted as overseer. We got everything from 138 Brighton Lane packed up and to OKC without incident.
We also moved out of that dreadful apartment and into a house that was for rent. It feels so good to be in a house. In a neighborhood. In a cul-de-sac. We are loving it. The boys don't even miss the playground at the apartment. Aidan has taken to saying (when we drive past the old 'hood) "I hate those 'partments." Lol. :) Through all this upheaval in their lives, I have to say that I am so thankful that my boys are well-adjusted and happy and thriving.
And the biggie:
WE SOLD OUR HOUSE BACK IN PA!!!!! I cannot express how thankful we are to be under contract and steadily approaching our closing date. So far, everything is going well and we are just ecstatic to not have a house sitting empty through an unpredictable winter...1000 miles away. Woo hoo! It was so funny how getting the offer and everything happened, too. It must be shared.
A short time ago, our agent was telling us that she was just so sure she had our house sold and that we would be getting an offer any day now. Any day. Any day now. ANY DAY? Well, it turns out the offer never came. Since she was uber positive she had the place sold, she actually turned down several showing requests. Hence my rant on facebook about yelling at my real estate agent and feeling great for doing so. In my mind, I couldn't even make any sense of it. "Let me get this straight. You THINK you MAY have sold our house, but WITHOUT an offer you are TURNING DOWN requests for showings?? How many turned down showings?? FIVE?!!" Yeah...that was me, losing it all up in her ear on a Saturday. Moving right along...
The week that I was preparing to travel back to PA for the big move, she calls me and says that there was a showing request. For the day of the move. At like 5. My mind was screaming, "NO!!! Are you crazy? The house will be tore up. The movers will be there. I will be there," but I found my mouth asking, "Will they care if the house is tore up and the movers are there and I am there?" I just prayed that they would wait two more days and come when the move was over. Of course, they didn't mind at all. Yay me.
So with everything in shambles, the house was shown. I met the prospective buyer and even answered some of his questions. He was nice enough and when he left, I looked at my mom and said, There's no way that man is going to buy this dump."
So two days later I am perusing the toy store at the airport waiting to board my flight back to the 405 (Oklahoma City area code, peeps) and our agent calls. With an offer. A good one AND she said his agent was fully expecting us to counter. Which we didn't. Sounds crazy, but we just didn't care. A few thousand more dollars means nothing to us compared to just not having it anymore. We get to walk away with money in hand and get on with our lives. Can't put a price on your sanity, I've learned. Not that I claim to have any. :)
So, I think I've covered all the big events of the last few months. This post is kind of boring, but due to all my negligence, a list of current recent developments was in order.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
Aub
We got all of our stuff moved out here. Correction: I got all of our stuff moved out here. Correction: The movers got all of our stuff moved out here. I acted as overseer. We got everything from 138 Brighton Lane packed up and to OKC without incident.
We also moved out of that dreadful apartment and into a house that was for rent. It feels so good to be in a house. In a neighborhood. In a cul-de-sac. We are loving it. The boys don't even miss the playground at the apartment. Aidan has taken to saying (when we drive past the old 'hood) "I hate those 'partments." Lol. :) Through all this upheaval in their lives, I have to say that I am so thankful that my boys are well-adjusted and happy and thriving.
And the biggie:
WE SOLD OUR HOUSE BACK IN PA!!!!! I cannot express how thankful we are to be under contract and steadily approaching our closing date. So far, everything is going well and we are just ecstatic to not have a house sitting empty through an unpredictable winter...1000 miles away. Woo hoo! It was so funny how getting the offer and everything happened, too. It must be shared.
A short time ago, our agent was telling us that she was just so sure she had our house sold and that we would be getting an offer any day now. Any day. Any day now. ANY DAY? Well, it turns out the offer never came. Since she was uber positive she had the place sold, she actually turned down several showing requests. Hence my rant on facebook about yelling at my real estate agent and feeling great for doing so. In my mind, I couldn't even make any sense of it. "Let me get this straight. You THINK you MAY have sold our house, but WITHOUT an offer you are TURNING DOWN requests for showings?? How many turned down showings?? FIVE?!!" Yeah...that was me, losing it all up in her ear on a Saturday. Moving right along...
The week that I was preparing to travel back to PA for the big move, she calls me and says that there was a showing request. For the day of the move. At like 5. My mind was screaming, "NO!!! Are you crazy? The house will be tore up. The movers will be there. I will be there," but I found my mouth asking, "Will they care if the house is tore up and the movers are there and I am there?" I just prayed that they would wait two more days and come when the move was over. Of course, they didn't mind at all. Yay me.
So with everything in shambles, the house was shown. I met the prospective buyer and even answered some of his questions. He was nice enough and when he left, I looked at my mom and said, There's no way that man is going to buy this dump."
So two days later I am perusing the toy store at the airport waiting to board my flight back to the 405 (Oklahoma City area code, peeps) and our agent calls. With an offer. A good one AND she said his agent was fully expecting us to counter. Which we didn't. Sounds crazy, but we just didn't care. A few thousand more dollars means nothing to us compared to just not having it anymore. We get to walk away with money in hand and get on with our lives. Can't put a price on your sanity, I've learned. Not that I claim to have any. :)
So, I think I've covered all the big events of the last few months. This post is kind of boring, but due to all my negligence, a list of current recent developments was in order.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
Aub
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Let It Go
I probably shouldn't type when I'm angry. I never intended this blog to be a means of airing grievances as I cannot stand when people use Facebook as a forum for putting all their dirty laundry out there for everyone to sniff. No, thank you. I'm good. Keep that to yourself. Please. However, this is my blog and I'll use it how I see fit. You're welcome. Here's a little rundown of the things that make me go "grrrrr" lately.
1.) These utility companies here in Oklahoma raping my wallet without the decency to buy me dinner or at least tell me I'm pretty. We are getting ready to move into a house in two weeks and need to get the utilities switched over to avoid them being terminated. Fine. I'll make the 5 phone calls. Fine. I'll hold for an average of 17 minutes per call. What won't I do? I won't pay 25 bucks per utility in the form of a transfer fee. I won't pay a 170 dollar deposit for the gas bill. I won't pay the 109 bucks that the electric company wants for the transfer/deposit. Oh, excuse me? I'll do that too? FINE.
2.) Well-meaning/good-intentioned albeit unsolicited advice. I think it should be clear if I'm trying to get advice or just using you as a sounding board. Here's the difference: If I want your input on what I'm talking about, I'll drop this crazy hint. I'll usually say something like, "What do YOU think?" I know, I know. It's sneaky and it's subtle, but now you know. Moving right along...
3.) My children fighting. It's getting pretty ridiculous. Having to yell over them this morning while trying to herd them out the door to school is not my idea of a good time. I hate being perceived as THAT mom. "Here comes that crazy screaming woman again. Run!" It's sad that I no longer wonder why my mother walked around with a wooden spoon in her purse, handle sticking out, just visible enough to serve as a warning. "Don't make me use this thing on your sorry butt." This is an issue I will gladly take advice on. Bear in mind that my children don't respond to guilt, punishment, waterboarding or reasoning.
4.) Unreturned texts. Okay, this has always been a personal pet peeve of mine. Recently, it's been rearing it's ugly head and I'm just going to lay my feelings about it on the line. Texting is meant to be an easier form of communication. It exists so we don't have to call and say, "I'm running 5 minutes late." "Do you want to meet for lunch on Thursday?" "Here's a question..." Now that we can send a quick text, it saves the phone call, the leaving of the voice message and the painstaking task of retrieving a dreaded voicemail. Does anyone even leave a voice message anymore?? They should be shot. Anywho, what I'm trying to say is this: You are not too busy to return my text. How do I know this? Because I wasn't too busy to send it. There you have it. If you happen to be reading this and haven't returned a text message from me, then yes. This means YOU.
Okay, well that pretty much clears up what I've been bothered by these days. Now that I've gotten it all off my chest, I wonder if I'm going to get my band of marauding idiots cheering me on. You know the ones who leave the comments on the Facebook rants like, "You tell 'em girl," "I completely agree with what you're saying," or my personal favorite, "I could not have said it better myself!" Really? You couldn't have said THAT any better? Hmmm.
Geesh. I feel loads better, y'all. Thanks for "listening."
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again,
Aub
1.) These utility companies here in Oklahoma raping my wallet without the decency to buy me dinner or at least tell me I'm pretty. We are getting ready to move into a house in two weeks and need to get the utilities switched over to avoid them being terminated. Fine. I'll make the 5 phone calls. Fine. I'll hold for an average of 17 minutes per call. What won't I do? I won't pay 25 bucks per utility in the form of a transfer fee. I won't pay a 170 dollar deposit for the gas bill. I won't pay the 109 bucks that the electric company wants for the transfer/deposit. Oh, excuse me? I'll do that too? FINE.
2.) Well-meaning/good-intentioned albeit unsolicited advice. I think it should be clear if I'm trying to get advice or just using you as a sounding board. Here's the difference: If I want your input on what I'm talking about, I'll drop this crazy hint. I'll usually say something like, "What do YOU think?" I know, I know. It's sneaky and it's subtle, but now you know. Moving right along...
3.) My children fighting. It's getting pretty ridiculous. Having to yell over them this morning while trying to herd them out the door to school is not my idea of a good time. I hate being perceived as THAT mom. "Here comes that crazy screaming woman again. Run!" It's sad that I no longer wonder why my mother walked around with a wooden spoon in her purse, handle sticking out, just visible enough to serve as a warning. "Don't make me use this thing on your sorry butt." This is an issue I will gladly take advice on. Bear in mind that my children don't respond to guilt, punishment, waterboarding or reasoning.
4.) Unreturned texts. Okay, this has always been a personal pet peeve of mine. Recently, it's been rearing it's ugly head and I'm just going to lay my feelings about it on the line. Texting is meant to be an easier form of communication. It exists so we don't have to call and say, "I'm running 5 minutes late." "Do you want to meet for lunch on Thursday?" "Here's a question..." Now that we can send a quick text, it saves the phone call, the leaving of the voice message and the painstaking task of retrieving a dreaded voicemail. Does anyone even leave a voice message anymore?? They should be shot. Anywho, what I'm trying to say is this: You are not too busy to return my text. How do I know this? Because I wasn't too busy to send it. There you have it. If you happen to be reading this and haven't returned a text message from me, then yes. This means YOU.
Okay, well that pretty much clears up what I've been bothered by these days. Now that I've gotten it all off my chest, I wonder if I'm going to get my band of marauding idiots cheering me on. You know the ones who leave the comments on the Facebook rants like, "You tell 'em girl," "I completely agree with what you're saying," or my personal favorite, "I could not have said it better myself!" Really? You couldn't have said THAT any better? Hmmm.
Geesh. I feel loads better, y'all. Thanks for "listening."
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again,
Aub
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Thunder Rolls...
I should be sleeping. Tomorrow is Monday. The boys need up early for school. I desperately need a workout. The way tomorrow goes will set the tone for the rest of the week. Sunday nights are crucial. Sleep is a must. What keeps me from my bed? A storm. And not just any storm - a good ol' Oklahoma storm. This place does it up right, too. Hail. Pounding rain. Thunder that'll make ya go deaf. It's a very unsettling feeling.
Part of me expects one of my kids to come running out here crying even though they fell asleep before it started and are pretty much impossible to wake once they're out. Josh can fall asleep to anything. Must be from all these years of nagging at him. "Did you take the trash out?? You know how I feel about you saying you'll take it out in the morning. You SAY that's what you'll do and then who's the one stuck dragging those cans out to the bottom of the driveway? ME, that's who. And I have better things to do with my morning than --ARE YOU EVEN AWAKE???"
I, on the other hand, am a completely different creature. A storm once I'm asleep means nothing to me, but there's a certain time of day that I require peace and calm and that's when I'm trying to fall asleep. So much goes on during the day that causes ripples to the calm I work so diligently to keep for myself and my family. Like a rock thrown into a still pond were my boys arguing most of the way back from Dallas. It made me realize that we are entering the "conflict" years with our kids. The closer they get to puberty and *gulps* being teenagers, the more rippled my peace pond is going to get. Pretty soon, it won't matter what I try to do to calm those waters, something is always going to come up and keep the waves going. That is my future. That is the future of every mama out there. This, I will accept and concede.
What I will not give up is my peace and quiet when I lay my head down at night. So, I'm gonna sit this storm out. I'm going to risk a smooth Monday and stand my ground. Come hell or high water, I will get that still pond.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again,
Aub
Part of me expects one of my kids to come running out here crying even though they fell asleep before it started and are pretty much impossible to wake once they're out. Josh can fall asleep to anything. Must be from all these years of nagging at him. "Did you take the trash out?? You know how I feel about you saying you'll take it out in the morning. You SAY that's what you'll do and then who's the one stuck dragging those cans out to the bottom of the driveway? ME, that's who. And I have better things to do with my morning than --ARE YOU EVEN AWAKE???"
I, on the other hand, am a completely different creature. A storm once I'm asleep means nothing to me, but there's a certain time of day that I require peace and calm and that's when I'm trying to fall asleep. So much goes on during the day that causes ripples to the calm I work so diligently to keep for myself and my family. Like a rock thrown into a still pond were my boys arguing most of the way back from Dallas. It made me realize that we are entering the "conflict" years with our kids. The closer they get to puberty and *gulps* being teenagers, the more rippled my peace pond is going to get. Pretty soon, it won't matter what I try to do to calm those waters, something is always going to come up and keep the waves going. That is my future. That is the future of every mama out there. This, I will accept and concede.
What I will not give up is my peace and quiet when I lay my head down at night. So, I'm gonna sit this storm out. I'm going to risk a smooth Monday and stand my ground. Come hell or high water, I will get that still pond.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again,
Aub
Sunday, October 3, 2010
A Time to be Quiet
Why do I even open my mouth sometimes? I was just bragging to my friend the other day on the phone that I thought having two boys would mean endless trips to the e.r. and broken bones, doctor's bills and physical therapy, but that I had actually lucked out and didn't have to contend with any of that.
And then it happened.
Friday night, while enjoying some outside play with the gang here in our little community, Cameron got tackled after a pretty sweet over the shoulder catch and came up...screaming. I immediately knew something was wrong with his left shoulder. It was lower than the other one. It was hunched forward. It was awful.
It was my fault...
Now, I know I didn't cause the injury to my son. Obviously, I was not the one who tackled him. But did I indirectly cause it? Why is it when you brag about something ("I never get sick!") and then bam! (swine flu)? Does this happen to anyone else? And why doesn't it happen when you brag about something that could have a great outcome? I'm going to start telling everyone I know that I've never won a million dollars.
So, of course, on the way to the e.r. Josh and I were diagnosing our child. I said his collarbone was broken. Josh said he had a dislocated shoulder. Turns out we were both wrong. He has an AC joint separation (shoulder separation). These words meant nothing to us until the words "specialist" and "surgery" were being thrown our way. Ugh!!! My poor baby. And poor me, dang it. Who do you think is going to be schlepping him around and worried sick until it is all settled?
We will know more tomorrow after seeing the ortho specialist. This should be most interesting...
I will be sure to keep you all posted. Oh, and my big fat mouth shut, too.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
Aub
And then it happened.
Friday night, while enjoying some outside play with the gang here in our little community, Cameron got tackled after a pretty sweet over the shoulder catch and came up...screaming. I immediately knew something was wrong with his left shoulder. It was lower than the other one. It was hunched forward. It was awful.
It was my fault...
Now, I know I didn't cause the injury to my son. Obviously, I was not the one who tackled him. But did I indirectly cause it? Why is it when you brag about something ("I never get sick!") and then bam! (swine flu)? Does this happen to anyone else? And why doesn't it happen when you brag about something that could have a great outcome? I'm going to start telling everyone I know that I've never won a million dollars.
So, of course, on the way to the e.r. Josh and I were diagnosing our child. I said his collarbone was broken. Josh said he had a dislocated shoulder. Turns out we were both wrong. He has an AC joint separation (shoulder separation). These words meant nothing to us until the words "specialist" and "surgery" were being thrown our way. Ugh!!! My poor baby. And poor me, dang it. Who do you think is going to be schlepping him around and worried sick until it is all settled?
We will know more tomorrow after seeing the ortho specialist. This should be most interesting...
I will be sure to keep you all posted. Oh, and my big fat mouth shut, too.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
Aub
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Waiting and Wasting
Why does it seem that we spend so much of our life waiting? Waiting for a phone call, waiting for the bank to open, waiting for so-and-so to let you know what's going on with them so that you can make your own plans accordingly. These inconveniences are a part of life that as we grow a little older and a little more patient (perhaps), we become accustomed to and the mild irritation that accompanies them.
What about the other type of waiting, though? The not so easy waits. The waiting for an answer to a prayer, the waiting for a plan that you've poured all your energy into to fall into place, the waiting for the one thing you want more than anything, but you have no control over whether it happens for you or not. It's this type of waiting that feels more like wasting than anything - wasting away time and energy that can be better put somewhere else. It makes you feel like you're wasting away a little inside, too. The longer you wait, the longer you wonder if you still want what you're waiting for and what your reasons were for wanting it in the first place.
And don't get me started on those who wait for you while you wait. Being so absorbed and distracted by the emotional roller coaster that is the "waiting game" and having those who count on you the most waiting for you, all of you, not just the shell of what you were before you started waiting in the first place. It's a cycle that offers no winners along the way, no consolation prizes for "Most Patient" or "Best Long Sufferer." Of course, in the end, if you wait long enough, the prize is getting what you waited for. When the goal has been attained, however, more than just a tapped out foot and furrowed brow are the prices paid.
So, having had all these deep thoughts on the subject of waiting, I've come to realize that I have to relinquish some control and stop the waste. Worrying about when our house back east sells, about when we will buy a house here, about if/when we'll ever have another baby, about when a time comes that we're not so far away from all our family, all of it is a waste. I won't give it another ounce of my energy or another moment of my time, considering that
"Life Is What Happens While You’re Waiting for the Grand Moments That Never Come."
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
Aub
What about the other type of waiting, though? The not so easy waits. The waiting for an answer to a prayer, the waiting for a plan that you've poured all your energy into to fall into place, the waiting for the one thing you want more than anything, but you have no control over whether it happens for you or not. It's this type of waiting that feels more like wasting than anything - wasting away time and energy that can be better put somewhere else. It makes you feel like you're wasting away a little inside, too. The longer you wait, the longer you wonder if you still want what you're waiting for and what your reasons were for wanting it in the first place.
And don't get me started on those who wait for you while you wait. Being so absorbed and distracted by the emotional roller coaster that is the "waiting game" and having those who count on you the most waiting for you, all of you, not just the shell of what you were before you started waiting in the first place. It's a cycle that offers no winners along the way, no consolation prizes for "Most Patient" or "Best Long Sufferer." Of course, in the end, if you wait long enough, the prize is getting what you waited for. When the goal has been attained, however, more than just a tapped out foot and furrowed brow are the prices paid.
So, having had all these deep thoughts on the subject of waiting, I've come to realize that I have to relinquish some control and stop the waste. Worrying about when our house back east sells, about when we will buy a house here, about if/when we'll ever have another baby, about when a time comes that we're not so far away from all our family, all of it is a waste. I won't give it another ounce of my energy or another moment of my time, considering that
"Life Is What Happens While You’re Waiting for the Grand Moments That Never Come."
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
Aub
Monday, September 13, 2010
When In Rome...
Have any of you ever imagined me with a gun? Don't answer that. Rather, can any of you picture me (lover of mani/pedi time, cabernet shiraz blends, and paycheck priced purses) enjoying myself on a gun range? Let's just say this: if there was a stereotype in my head for women who enjoy spending time on a gun range, I never quite fit into it...until now. This past weekend, I had the very cool opportunity of spending the day at the Oklahoma City Gun Club for, what turns out to be, the nation's largest fun shoot for women. How did I end up there? Well, Josh has gotten into the habit of sending me all the interesting emails he gets throughout the day from Chesapeake, not his work-related emails (I'd send those snooze fests straight to spam) but the 7 to 10 nonwork-related emails he gets per day inviting him to, for example, enjoy sunset yoga at the gazebo (no kidding) or How to Garden - A Seminar. At first it started out as a joke, but we've actually participated in a few of the events. When I received the email about the fun shoot, I think Josh was pretty surprised when I told him to sign me up.
It turned out to be one of the best times I've had in a long time. Other than having to get up early on a Saturday, I enjoyed every minute of it. Not only was it well-organized, but I even feel like I was able to learn about firearms and they really are interesting. I know what you must all be thinking, by the way - Aubre?! With a gun?! RUN!!! It's cool, though. The stress relief that comes along with blowing up orange circles of spray paint or sending a piece of tin shaped like a pig or a chicken flying backwards is so much better than what Lily Allen did to those people in her video for "____ You Very Much." Well, almost as good. :)
We got to shoot so many different types of guns. First we shot handguns using 22 and 45 caliber bullets. Then we went to shooting rifles with a scope (awesome!). After lunch we got to shoot the AR15, which I learned is the civilian version of what the military uses. It was definitely my least favorite. It was so loud and powerful, I felt extremely uncomfortable. The last stop was skeet shooting. It...rocked...my...2nd amendment rights...world. I was actually kind of good at it, too. There's nothing like seeing that clay disk shatter in midair. This girl may have found herself new hobby!!
The best part about doing something new was that it reminded me that I do have an adventurer's spirit and to always be on the lookout for an opportunity to learn something new and maybe, just maybe, meet new people. Which happened! We met three very fun chicas from Tulsa. I can share this piece of wisdom from moving around as much as I have:
There are no limits to what new places and new people can bring to your life. The only one that limits you is you.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
Aub
It turned out to be one of the best times I've had in a long time. Other than having to get up early on a Saturday, I enjoyed every minute of it. Not only was it well-organized, but I even feel like I was able to learn about firearms and they really are interesting. I know what you must all be thinking, by the way - Aubre?! With a gun?! RUN!!! It's cool, though. The stress relief that comes along with blowing up orange circles of spray paint or sending a piece of tin shaped like a pig or a chicken flying backwards is so much better than what Lily Allen did to those people in her video for "____ You Very Much." Well, almost as good. :)
We got to shoot so many different types of guns. First we shot handguns using 22 and 45 caliber bullets. Then we went to shooting rifles with a scope (awesome!). After lunch we got to shoot the AR15, which I learned is the civilian version of what the military uses. It was definitely my least favorite. It was so loud and powerful, I felt extremely uncomfortable. The last stop was skeet shooting. It...rocked...my...2nd amendment rights...world. I was actually kind of good at it, too. There's nothing like seeing that clay disk shatter in midair. This girl may have found herself new hobby!!
The best part about doing something new was that it reminded me that I do have an adventurer's spirit and to always be on the lookout for an opportunity to learn something new and maybe, just maybe, meet new people. Which happened! We met three very fun chicas from Tulsa. I can share this piece of wisdom from moving around as much as I have:
There are no limits to what new places and new people can bring to your life. The only one that limits you is you.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
Aub
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Up and Running!!
Finally! Blogging is hard work, I tell you. Anyone who goes into it not realizing how much time it takes to create a profile, set a template, pick your fonts and font colors, and name the darn thing (that was the hardest part) are in for a real surprise!! Now that I have it done, I'm still unsure if I like it...thinking I should have gone with a fall theme or something with the background. The purple caught my eye though, and here we are. I'm typing words!! Yay!
So, what to say, huh? I think I pretty much nailed it in the description...guess my work here is done! But seriously, just to elaborate a little on why I'm doing this, for all who are not "in the know," I feel a need to stay connected to family and friends that I recently moved 1000 miles away from and this is the only way I could think of to share this crazy, fun, intense roller coaster of a ride I've come to call "My Life." There are so many little things that happen throughout the day - some funny, some sad, some just downright stupid. To not be able to share it all with the ones that I love would be too unfair! I want my ramblings to encourage others to ramble back! Please share with me via comments or email. You all could just show up on my doorstep as well, that'd be A-OK by me! I'll fire up the margarita machine and we'll throw some pepperoni rolls in the oven. :) Wouldn't that be nice? If it were only that easy...
Well, it is approximately 10:03 here in Oklahoma and I made a promise to get off the computer at 10. So...off I go.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
So, what to say, huh? I think I pretty much nailed it in the description...guess my work here is done! But seriously, just to elaborate a little on why I'm doing this, for all who are not "in the know," I feel a need to stay connected to family and friends that I recently moved 1000 miles away from and this is the only way I could think of to share this crazy, fun, intense roller coaster of a ride I've come to call "My Life." There are so many little things that happen throughout the day - some funny, some sad, some just downright stupid. To not be able to share it all with the ones that I love would be too unfair! I want my ramblings to encourage others to ramble back! Please share with me via comments or email. You all could just show up on my doorstep as well, that'd be A-OK by me! I'll fire up the margarita machine and we'll throw some pepperoni rolls in the oven. :) Wouldn't that be nice? If it were only that easy...
Well, it is approximately 10:03 here in Oklahoma and I made a promise to get off the computer at 10. So...off I go.
Love and hugs to all...until we see each other again.
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