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

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

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.