You Know You Miss Your Husband When...

you turn on Sports Center, because you know that is what he would be watching if he were home.

You know you are tired when... the idea of driving to the nail salon to get a fresh pedi sounds exhausting.

You know your brain isn't functioning properly when ... you are typing a text message and want to write "You know what blah blah blah" and you forget to finish the text and when you return to read it later it says "You no what blah blah blah."

You know you're sort of stressed when ... the piece and half of flourless chocolate cake you devoured earlier did nothing to stop you desire to make double chocolate chocolate chip cookie dough to try and quench the craving.



I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Back to Bikini's and Blogging!

UmmmK. So maybe I'm a lame blogger because lately I post on Mondays and Tuesdays and trail off after that! 
But this week, its not the case because I am pre-writing and scheduling, so when I'm tired and grouchy and my brain can't put two words together well or clearly, and much less  create a post, my blog will still be running. Or more accurately: updating. And maybe I'll be running!
What's that you say, KB? You plan on running? 
Well, yes. In fact I do. 
And I'm actually planning on training. For a 5K. (And I'm not sure I mean a race, but more like the distance). 
.....I've alluded to this idea before and I've wanted to do it for, oh, since 2004 which was the year I was actually running a lot.
And since I don't have enough on my plate this summer with studying for my licensing exam at the beginning of August, I think this might actually be the time I do it.
I've been scoping out races for a while now. 
And I've been reading running blogs, too. 
Trying to gather the motivation and the inspiration from outside sources. (Even though there is good motivation screaming from my closet and  bikini drawer). (Yes, I have enough bikini's to fill a drawer. And I love a good pool. And yes, maybe I need to grow up and buy a more modest age-appropriate one piece, but I have plenty of years for that). 
Anyway. I currently think think I can run 3/10 of a mile without stopping if I'm by my lonesome and sans ipod. But I do this 3/10 thing multiple times each time I set out on a jog. (Sheesh. Brutal honesty makes me feel lame, but I'm just trying to be real with you).  Actually, if I run with Handsome, I think I can go 1/2 mile or 7/10 without stopping. So I should do more of that. Especially since the sweetheart puts up with me and actually invites me to run regularly.
But I want to do more. 
And I'm so not into that whole Couch-to-5K thing that so many bloggers do. I'm sure its a fantastic program, and fitness is more my goal than the thrill of a race (because I'm so. not. competitive), but I just don't want to start from the beginning. And I don't have a watch that counts seconds or minutes so its just not a fit for me now.
But that whole running with Handsome thing is. 
So my plan is to wake up each morning early a couple mornings a week, locate my favorite gear, splash water on Handsome's face and help him find his shoes, and get my little tush outside in the peace and quiet, so I can quickly adjust my stride to the husbands ever-steady gait. And then we can see what happens from there. 
I want to be able to run for a good distance without the necessity of stopping.
I want to push my body to see if the 26 year old version can do the same things the 21 year old version used to do. 
And I'm not ready to drop the bikini's off at good-will, so back to running I go.
And I really hope I can start to like it again.  

I'm here. And I'm still writing, 

My Competitive Button Has Been Pushed.

My man and I compete with one another at very few things. It's quite pleasant, really, to have a relationship with another human and feel no competition between the two of you. With me and Mr. Ruggedly Handsome, we just generally accept that we are good at different things and that we complement each other in many ways. I think marriage is supposed to be freeing in that sort of way.
But there is this one area of our relationship that we compete in. Kinda funny that this is what we have chosen, since neither one of us is incredibly fond of tennis shoes squeaking on a floor while an orange rubbery ball is tossed and dribbled all about. Maybe its because we have gone mad... Or maybe its just something else.
Something like:  He is not one to pass up a good game, competition, match, tournament, and I am not invested enough to be upset  stay in bed for weeks on end barely eating anything if he beats me, so it seems like its the perfect thing for us to compete against one another. Or at least I tell myself I will be okay if I lose, though we haven't truly figured out if I will survive and feel sweet towards the Mr., as we have only played once before and I WON that round.  Speaking of which, Handsome, I need to cash in on my prize. A full day of doing whatever I please, yes? Sounds like a day trip out of town with shopping and wandering and coffee-shop sitting and good food, of course. 
Or maybe you would like to go double or nothing this year? Hmm. No thanks. This is  not a valid offer.
So... my question is: do you and anyone in your life choose winners and compete in your own NCAA Tournament?   

  
We are also playing in individual matches with our fathers. He with his, me with mine. Should be a fun few weeks.  And the real upside: it makes watching sports on television that much more appealing to me. ;)
Happy Squeaking. 
I'm here. And I'll be watching,

Undeserving.

Dear Mr. Rh, 
 I was tired, exhausted actually, and had a challenging time getting myself moving. 
 So I got into the shower a little late. 
I was feeling the stress of the day, before it even started. 
And I let it touch my attitude. 
I had to-do lists running and let defeat push me down. 
By the time I was getting dressed and packing up my bag, I was already feeling discouraged and irritated and late. 
I was not happy with myself.
But someone else was loving me.
You had woken up earlier than you needed to.
 You made muffins and timed it so that they came out of the oven at the very minute I was ready to eat breakfast. 
Hot. Fresh. Blueberry. Muffins.
You set me up to print my homework on your computer and printer, so I wouldn't have to hurry to print it at school.
You let me have half of the coffee that was already in the coffee pot. 
You even pulled the freshness tab off of the new creamer for me, because for some reason I could not get my nail under it, nor could I grab ahold of it well enough to pull it off.
In the midst of my irritation, and impatience, you served me. 
You were calm and sweet and loving and helpful. And you were so very thoughtful. 
All on a morning when I was so undeserving.
Thanks, honey, for loving me when I'm unlovable. 
You were a portrait of Christ to me today. 
"...I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." Ephesians 3:17, 18
With love,

Something Completed.

So... I'm DONE! Finished. Finito. 仕上がり. Terminado.Okay, you got it already!
Anyway, I'm sort of psyched. But I also sort of feel like I am faking myself out and that I have something lingering, something waiting... because sheesh! I haven't had a complete break (where I didn't have something lingering or waiting, even if it wasn't pressing), in oh, well ... about fourteen months!
Now, I'm definitely not complaining. I'm just not really sure what to do with myself!
Oh, sure, I have PLENTY of ideas {make a red velvet cake, buy a few more Christmas-y decorations at Target, maybe go Christmas shopping for friends and family, prepare a lovely dinner for my husband, schedule some appointments that should happen but I've neglected to schedule, READ for fun!, clean the disaster that is my closet/ the room I study in, blog} you get the point. But I'm not sure where to start. So I'm watching Gilmore Girls (a former fave) and blogging and thinking about all of things I'm going to do during my break.
And I'm trying to decide what to get for my handsome husband for Christmas, since he went ahead and got himself the thing I have been planning to give him. Ha! And this is the second time it happened. {Yeah, second. Same thing happened about a month before our anniversary and his birthday!} {Man, I have got to get better at figuring out what gifts he won't get for himself or SOMEthing.}
Anyway, I'll be around more. And there are definitely some good things coming. Can't wait to share.
I'm here. And I'm still writing,

For The Love of The Game. Or For The Sake of Your Marriage.

Soccer. Tennis. Golf. The Race for the Pennant. Track. Rugby. Moto-cross. The X-Games. Hockey. Racing. And I mustn't forget everyones fall fave Football! All of these have something in common...
I don't know if your life is anything like mine, but my Mr. loves sports. Sometimes for a moment I forget this fact, but it seems that I have come to realize once again that I have married a man that loves to play. He likes to watch others play. He loves competition. He loves a game.
He likes sports in person. He likes games on television. He likes when is actually physically playing. He loves to play anything, but watching others playing will suffice when the actual playing isn't a reality for him.
I don't know how I ever really forget this fact, but at moments, I must admit it slips past me. And then there is usually a rude awakening when I try and speak to him when a game is on. Or if I try to make plans when he has some sort of play scheduled.
I'm not sure if this infatuation is annoying or if its sweet. I suppose it doesn't matter to much which one it is and is mostly just a fact I have to live with.
So until the Mr. has a man-cave of sorts, I will have to live with him watching football, tennis, soccer, rugby, hockey, and baseball on our television. In the evenings and on the weekends. (Not every evening or all day of every weekend, but still a considerable amount of time.)
I think my dad watched sports on television when I was growing up, but I either didn't notice it as much, didn't care that he was doing, or planned activities with my mom during those periods of time. This means that living with my man and his love of "the game" (or any game that is) has been an adjustment for me.
Am I the only wife who didn't truly understand her husbands love of "the game" before they married? What do you do to occupy yourself while your man is immersed in the rules and regulations of some activity involving some size of a rounded object?
I suppose I could always be studying during that time, but I feel like I need to take up some fun hobbies to change this adjustment from tolerance to something more along the lines of acceptance or maybe even (someday) encouragement?

The End of Church League Softball (for this year).

A few weeks back, Handsome had his last "church" league softball game. To commemorate the occasion, and because I wanted to self-designate as team-mom ever since the "collision," I decided to make cupcakes for the team!

I figured I could easily make something festive! So... I purchased a box cake mix (cheater!) and some white icing and picked up a red icing-gel pen as well. This is the final result:

I think we took more photos but I apparently don't have them on my computer.

And in case you were worried, Handsome's eye injury healed quite nicely. There is a scar underneath his eyebrow, but thankfully it is not very noticeable.
We are a little bummed that summer league is over, but I love fall so much that I think we will get through it.
I'm here. And I'm still writing...

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.

So I promised a recipe (some time ago) and it is finally coming!
Handsome's birthday was August the 8th. We were planning to be out of town from August 7th(ish) to August 12th(ish), so seeing as I had nothing really going on except trip preparation on the 6th, I decided I could prepare a birthday dinner for the man. I bought some bone in rib eyes and stuff for a salad, but most importantly I bought fresh strawberries, fresh rhubarb, pie crusts (I know I was cheating), and a few other necessary ingredients for the man's birthday cake...eh hemm, pie.
Mr. Ruggedly Handsome's absolute, most favorite dessert is Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. Prior to dating the man, I had never even heard of this. And after we started dating it took several trips to a local dessert bakery for me to gather enough courage to try it... but I did and now some three or four years later I have finally made one.
Some time before his birthday, but after we knew we would be on a trip, the Mr. requested a pie for his birthday. The idea of making him a pie was not that exciting to me for two reasons: 1. I don't know how. and 2. I don't really like pie. Actually, maybe three reasons with the final being 3. Handsome's mom makes him this pie for his birthday each year and everyone knows a good wife just really can't compete with a good mother as far as the man's favorite birthday dessert. (Oh, we don't all know this? Well, my man's mom is a really good cook... but I digress).
I searched the web and came up with this recipe which I thought looked simple enough to attempt, yet also delisch.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups rhubarb stalks cut into 1/2 inch pieces (Trim outside stringy layer of large rhubarb stalks; make sure to trim away any and discard of the leaves which are poisonous; trim ends.)
• 1 cup strawberries, stemmed and sliced
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 Tablespoons of quick cooking tapioca
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of grated orange peel
• Unbaked pastry for two-crust 9 inch pie

The instructions say to cut up the strawberries and rhubarb into little-ish pieces. Mix together with the sugar, quick cooking tapioca, salt, and orange peel.

You let this sit for 10 minutes while the oven is pre-heating to 400 degrees. It will get gooey.

I rolled out one of the pre-made Pillsbury piecrusts and floured it just a bit (per package instructions because of the sugary-ness of the pie).

Then you fill the empty crust with the cut up pieces of strawberry and rhubarb mixed with all the other ingredients.

Here you need to trim the edge of the bottom crust. Then you will cover with the second pie crust...

Fold the excess of the top crust underneath the bottom crust once its on.

Then you have to press it together, make it pretty and cut slits in the top to let heat escape while cooking.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 30-40 minutes. And cool on a rack.

If you cut it while its hot it will be runny and gooey... but if you wait until it cools, it will stay together a little better and you can enjoy a piece. (I like mine with chocolate ice cream... He likes it with vanilla.)

So there you have it... Happy Birthday Pie for the most handsome man I know. We enjoyed it. I hope you will too.
I'm here. And I'm still writing...
P.S. I got the recipe from Simply Recipes (and their pictures are a little better than mine :)...)

Survived. And Maintenance.

Just for the record... We survived softball last night without injury. And it was two games. Not just one like last week.

Praise God. My blood pressure probably couldn't have handled another injury or stressful moment related to blood and my husband. Even if it had been another one that didn't require stitches, or even superglue.

Other than that, I would like to note on the record, that I'm sort of officially on summer vacay. Wahoo! I still have some responsibilities and other school related things going on, but for the most part, no where to be in the mornings and not a lot going on.

Handsome took me out for the best. chicken. tacos. ever. (and I'm not even kidding) for lunch yesterday to celebrate. Well, actually to make up for my friend canceling our lunch plans, but essentially I thought of it as celebrating.

And I am still in desperate need of a haircut. And now my toes need a good polishing too, so maybe Thursday will be a personal maintenance day. Thursday you ask? Well, a few of those extra school things are happening today and tomorrow, so Thursday will be a good day for summering once again.

Oh, and I guess I'm losing followers. :( Sad I know, so if you are still here and you're still reading, I'd love a comment from you! And thanks for reading. :)

I'm here. And I'm still writing...

The Trust About Church Softball. Part 2.

So there we were. Sitting on the bleachers, feeling happy that I had a band-aid and listening to the other Mrs. talk about her husbands days as an EMT. Nothing to worry about, well, not for my man anyway, just for the other guy, who was still holding his knee as he hobbled around the dugout and tried to make his own injury a scene. I was apparently the only one noticing him, because the other men all seemed to be huddled at the other end of the dugout. And that is when I realized they were huddled around Mr. Ruggedly.

So I interrupted the Mrs. and said I wanted to go check on the injured. I made my way towards the dugout, passed Leftie from the outside of then fence and headed towards my apparently, very injured husband.

A team of four or five men were standing around. As I approached, they were all tending to him and he was flitting them away with his hands, because there were just too many of them bothering and tending to him. I reached my hand through the chain link fence to tug a little on his shirt. He turned towards me and he had blood caked onto his eyebrow and was streaming partway down his face. (I'll save you from the actual image).

They were asking him questions and someone asked if he had some superglue. He had some in the truck and though I told him I would go and retrieve it, he did himself.

He returned and at least one or two of the guys sprayed some into the cut. Sprayed may not be the best adjective but I can't think of a better one. It still did not look pretty.

He finished the game. They didn't win. Leftie had another guy carry his bag as they limped towards his car. He had to get a ride because he couldn't put pressure on his right leg and that is sort of a necessity for driving.

Mr. Ruggedly and I walked to his truck. He was debating what to do, because the former EMT really thought he might need stitches. I took a photo with my phone and we text it to the Mr.'s brother, who only recently begun his Emergency Medicine Residency in a state a long way from our home. Mr. then called his brother and asked him what he thought. They talked about the injury and the photo and came to the conclusion, that neither knew what to do, probably because the Dr. couldn't see a lot from the photo and because neither Mr. or I know very much about what needs stitches. Well that isn't entirely true. He has had stitches. I have never. But he couldn't see the cut very well because it was right in his eyebrow and underneath his eye and there was some mess of blood all around it and his brother had said something about injuries under the eyebrow are more delicate than injuries elsewhere.

So we left the park, unsure of what to do. We looked for an open urgent care. I called my friend a nurse. I called my friend who lives with a medical student. I worried. We got home and he cleaned the cut and took a shower. We have recently changed medical insurance and didn't have our new cards, so we didn't really want to go and wait at the Emergency Room. Not too mention, we didn't want to wait for eight hours for them to send us home stitch-less.

We ended up going to our local pharmacy to find out if they had something called a steri-strip. They don't. They only have butterflys. But... the nice pharmacy tech works a a second job at the hospital and he showed us this cut he had steri-stripped that was almost healed. We walked out and decided to return home empty handed. Perhaps the superglue would hold. Or maybe we could go to an urgent care in the morning. Either way, nothing was accomplished and he still had a wound in and under his eyebrow.

I was a little unnerved the entire evening. Partly because I don't like blood. And secondly because I wasn't really sure what to do. And thirdly because it looked like it hurt and I don't like my man being hurt.

Just as Mr. Ruggedly started to pull out of the parking lot to head towards home, the pharmacy tech came running out of the front doors of the store. "Hey man, I might actually have some steri-strips in my car from this wound. They work like a miracle because they don't come off"

Mr. hopped out of the car and followed the PT to his car. Sure enough, he had some. And he so generously gave them to my husband.

We headed home to bind up his wound. And then we headed out for pizza.

He is healing now. And I'm so thankful. Partly because I don't like him to be hurt. And secondly, because I really do like his bushy eyebrows.

I'm here. And I'm still writing...

P.S. In Part 1. I said 200 yards. I meant 200 feet. I apparently know very little about distances.

The Truth About Church Softball. Part 1.

Handsome's life is a bit different than mine. This morning actually, I should probably be calling him Mr. Ruggedly, not Handsome. That is yesterday he endured some major trauma...

so for now I feel like I'm being a little more candid with the Rugged part. (Even if I still think he is Handsome...)

It was a little bit difficult to get a good picture of this gash with my phone. Or his phone. What happened you ask? Well, our phones just don't actually take that great of photos... (Oh, you were asking about his eye... and that was the purpose of the post anyway right? )

Ok so back to "Mr. Ruggedly" (for now)... He and I went to his church softball game yesterday evening. It was an early game, 6:30. Just in time for the glaring sun to be shining down on me as I strain to watch the game. Just in time to be too hot for jeans, but not quite hot enough for shorts. Just in time for me to have to actually do homework or school related stuff when I get home because I won't be legitimately tired enough not to. Needless to explain further that I wasn't thrilled about the early game...

So my man usually plays short or third, but he last night he moved to the outfield because no one else could (or wanted) to play out there. So this guy gets up to bat and he is a good two hundred and thirty pounds of something. And just as expected he slammed one. Actually, that is not totally accurate because it didn't go over. But he hit it well... somewhere he must have thought no one would get to it. It was slightly close to left field, somewhat of a run from left center where Mr. Ruggedly was playing.

But you guessed. My Mr. Ruggedly can usually get to most things. He's quick on his feet so they say. And I suppose that is where his true problem began. Both the left fielder, we'll call Leftie for ease, and Mr. Ruggedly saw the ball and saw the placement. (I know you know what is coming next). They both took off running and somehow they both got to the ball at the same time as one another. Ouch. I know. It definitely wasn't pretty and I was some 153 yards away. (Not sure if that is an accurate representation of distance.)

But Mr. Ruggedly popped right back up after some large collision, and he waved the ball at the ump (For the third out of the inning by the way) ... Sadly, Leftie didn't get up so quickly. He lay on the field for sometime. Long enough for all of Mr. Ruggedly's teammates made their way to Left Center field. It took some time. We were getting restless and uncomfortable in the stands. I think the other team was getting a little uncomfortable too, though their wives didn't seem to notice.... But eventually his team helped him up. (His knee is in pretty bad shape...)

So all the while I was sitting in the bleachers on third base, talking to one of the other wives and thinking my man is a-okay. I was not concerned in the slightest. I knew he had had many head injuries (and I definitely couldn't tell where they collided) but Handsome (I mean Mr. Ruggedly) had popped right back up. And I know I saw him flash a grin when he waved that ball at the umpire.

And I continued on like this, slightly worried about Leftie's limping on his way back to the dugout, but primarily just thinking I was glad my man got out of that one okay (Have I mentioned he is prone to head injuries? Like gashes and concussions. God Bless his mother's soul for all those years he caused her grief).

Back to the story: Umm, so we were sitting there talking about Leftie when the other woman's husband comes up. He said, "Wife," (to his obviously, not to me), "We are gonna need an ice pack for Leftie. Oh, and do you have a First Aid kit or a band-aid or anything in the car? Mr. Ruggedly is bleeding."

She wasn't prepared.

I however, always have band-aids. Smuggly, I handed him one that he could take to my husband... to bind up his wounds. Little did I know that a band-aid was seriously not going to bind up this wound.

To Be Continued.

I'm here. And I'm still writing...

Case of the Missing Food.

I am admittedly very hungry right now, but I'm going to a friends for dinner, so I should be trying to hold off. 
You see, we need to go to the grocery store, because our pantry/refrigerator/shelves/lazy susan seem to be missing food.
For instance... I finished off my last can of soup a few days ago, and not realizing this, came home on lunch one day hoping to make it, but there was none left.
And then today someone finished off my Sun Chips, between the time I left at lunch and was ready to eat a snack about 20 minutes ago. Dang it!
By the way: they were French Onion, not Sour Cream and Onion, so my mistake yesterday.
And this morning the fruit was missing! I suppose it was either thrown out or eaten between yesterday morning when I prepared some to take to work and this morning when I planned to do the same thing.
And the big block of cheeese I bought not too long ago, seems to have also disappeared. I have not cut many slices, so I can't imagine that one other person could have eaten the entire thing on his own, but I have been wrong before. 
And lastly, the milk is gone, so I had a little bit of dry cereal to fend off the grumblings in my stomach.
Except for the soup, do you see a pattern? 
My life does not revolve around food people. I promise it doesn't. Okay, actually maybe it kind of does, but that is besides my point here. 
My point is that my food is disappearing and I have never had this happen to me before!
So maybe tomorrow I'll go to the grocery store. 
That could possibly be fun. And I'll be able to replenish the food and hopefully not have it all disappear in a matter of days. 
But I'm going to have to start buying food that the man doesn't like so I can count on it being around when I need some nourishment.  I feel like I'm living with a teenage boy. Which I have done once in my life, when both my brother and I were living at my parents house, but my mom was better than either my husband or I at keeping the kitchen stocked and he and I didn't always choose the same foods for snacks / meals, unless they were chosen for us. So this is my first real experience with having the food I like just disappear. 
I would have investigated, but I'm fairly certain I know the perpetrator.
 So having just eaten peanut butter sandwiches and fruit and cereal and english muffins for basically all of my meals this week, except for two, I am excessively pumped about dinner. 
And maybe for breakfast, too... if I can manage to go out to a very sweet little diner that I have been wanting to go to for weeks.

A Collection...

of my very random thoughts at 10:25 at night after a day of attempting to comprehend material for my next exams. 
1. I don't  usually  ever like variations on an original. Like today, I saw PB Twix and couldn't bring myself to try it. It just seems wrong to me. And this is a big deal, because  I have a serious life-long love of Peanut Butter... like I ate a PB sandwich every single day of  elementary school and never got sick of it kind of LOVE, and I am a real big fan of Twix since middle school when I had one at least once a week every other day during lunch... so you would think that I would like a pairing of the two. But gosh, I'm so frightened to try it because I think I will be let down.
2. Handsome is in the other room and I just heard GUN SHOTS. But PLEASE: Don't be Alarmed! They are coming from the TV. He is watching a movie that I could be watching with him, except I was studying when he started it and it would be wrong on so many levels to join in now. And honestly, after the violence I just heard, I doubt I would want to. 
3. I'm pumped to be trying out strikethrough! Thanks Kelley. And my mom will be pumped that I learn how because she likes it when other people use it! She actually inspired me to branch out and learn how after I heard her talk about it. (Please be patient with me! And I'll try to not overuse it as I totally overuse other things.... ahem... oh yeah, sorry about that.)  
4. I think I might want to run a 5K sometime this summer. Crazy that I'm admitting this somewhere, because I have wanted to do it for a while, but always get nervous, because I definitely can't run  3 straight miles or any miles period for that matter. Crooked, straight, uphill, downhill with roller blades, ok, I could do that because it is not running, oh wait! except for the part where I would start going really really fast if I was going downhill on roller blades... oops, was gonna work on the ellipses... now I'm totally off of whatever track I am on. Maybe I could run a mile if I was being chased, but even then I think I'd take my chances with a left hook over causing my lungs to collapse.
5. It is sooooo warm in my house. And if I think that, it means its probably 90 degrees in here because I'm cold-blooded. No, I don't mean cold hearted. I mean, this winter when I would go to bed I would usually be wearing sweat pants, shirt and sweatshirt, beanie, long socks with short socks over them to keep them from getting loose and because my toes being cold would keep me up at night, and  I would crawl under the covers which included: sheet, duvet over light down comforter, fleece blanket, microsuede(?) blanket, and some other hairy USC blanket my Husband owns. So... I actually mean the house is HOT when I say that. Whereas Handsome only had 3 of all of the above mentioned items most night and he would still wake up saying it was hot!
5b. Thank the Lord for the plumber though, who is coming after a few short nights and longer days(because I need the hours to study) to turn on the swamp cooler. Oh joy that fills my soul!
6. I never know what color to post my text in. I like the dark grey, but usually go with the black for some reason unbeknownst to me, or anyone else.
7. I need to figure out WHERE to take my eight hour take home exam. Have I already mentioned it? I'm seriously dreading the thing.  For multiple reasons. But what is funny is that I chose this class knowing I would have 2 eight hour take home exams before completing it, and I took it anyway! (I didn't totally understand the dread and pain and misery that is an eight hour take home until I experienced around the same time I started blogging last December). Anyway, I chose the class because the professor is a rock star. And I don't mean he is super cool, I mean he was actually a rock star in a rock band in his younger years. LOL. Just kidding. I mean he is a rockstar, superstar, practicing in this area for 30+ years, expert in the field. And boy have I been challenged!, but I definitely feel like I have a more solid foundation than I would have had I opted for either of the other two options I had. 
8. That is ENOUGH talk about school and exams.  Self: "But KB, you should be thinking about exams constantly right now!" KB: "What's that self? It's not your half birthday anymore, so please back off. No one wants to listen to you" Self: "No? Isn't that what this whole post has basically been about? My thoughts being expressed to you and others..."
KB: "Please restrain your self Self. The other bloggers, the ones who actually read your blog are tired of this conversation we seem to be having regularly, not too mention they are tired of hearing about "The Draft" and all of your "dreaded exams!"

I think this is going downhill fast, so with that note, I'll try to find better material than exams and The Draft for the next couple of weeks, but no guarantees. And if you stop reading my blog I'll be hurt. And you'll hear about it. Well, I guess I could only actually make a few of you hear about it, since I only write to some of you. 

P.S. (number 9?) This is my totally unfiltered brain coming at you in blog post form. I may totally regret posting this  tomorrow in a few weeks, when I'm finished thinking about I've aced this round of exams and my paper is signed off on! 
P.P.S. I wish I had that copy of the illustrated Elements of Style by Strunk and White for some good night time reading material and I did not spend at least half an hour looking at word definitions at any point during the day today!

Peace on the Range.

This evening, after I finished classes and Mr. R-h finished work, we went to the local driving range to hit some golf balls. 

Handsome is a great golfer. And he loves the game. Exceedingly more in warm weather than in the cold. But he really just enjoys it. And he has been talking about it and doing it quite a bit recently. I think he has been playing for something like eleven years. (I'm sure if I say something incorrect here he will ever so gently correct me about it when he reads this in the next few days.)  

I played a little as a child...meaning I took lessons, because my mom, being the great mom that she was, exposed my brother and I to many a different activity so that we might find our niche (or niches plural perhaps). I was told as a child that I had a natural swing, but it didn't matter much to me. At the time, things having to do with the outside where never my preference. As I have grown, I have come to find some peace that comes from being outside. A tranquility in my often uneasy spirit. Possibly because of the activities that I do outside clear my mind. But in these experiences, I have learned more to appreciate the beauty in the things our Lord has created for us to enjoy.  

So in college, while I was dating the now Mr., I would increasingly find myself alone on Saturday afternoons when he went golfing in the warm-ish months between Marches and Octobers. So one summer (or maybe one spring semester after I graduated and was living at home and working a very flexible job), I decided I should pick it up again. It would be a good way for me to be able to hang out with Handsome and it might even be fun to revisit something I had known a little of as a child. So I enrolled in a class at the local college and began golfing again. (To be more accurate, I began hitting range balls again). And I enjoyed it.

Now, I didn't fall in love with the sport, but its a pretty good time. And since my husband likes it sooooo much, and because I think its important to be interested in the activities the other enjoys at least to some degree, it is something we can now do together some. 

So tonight we did just that. I had a good time with my husband, my golf clubs in God's creation (that man has organized in some fashion to make it all the more enjoyable). 

And I felt so at peace afterwards.

I'm here and I'm still writing,

Another Meal Post. Burgers in our Backyard!

Tonight Mr. Ruggedly Handsome is grillin' like a villain', or perhaps I mean Bobby Flay. What a perfect solution for enjoying our uncharacteristically nice weather (lately, it's been in the 40's or something absurd!). 
I love, love, love it when he grills. So much deliciousness. I'll likely post photos later. (Update: Totally forgot to take pictures before I scarfed the meal down. Bummer.) 
Hamburgers, with cheese, lettuce, pickles, and and I'm gonna slice up a tomato to salt and pepper on the side (and on the burger, too). Can't wait. If I would have been on my game I would have sauteed (don't know how to spell it) some onions, but alas, I went for a run to relieve some stress. Dinner will be wonderful either way.
My husband spoils me. 

Handsome's Names List.

I had so much fun with this, I sat on the couch last night with my man and asked him these questions to create his very own list. 

1.  Rock Star Name (first pet/current car): Winston Tundra
2. Rapper Name (favorite ice cream flavor/fav type of shoe): Coffee Birkenstock
3.  Native American Name (favorite color/favorite animal): Navy Dog (if this was the rapper one I would write it Navy Dawg)
4.  Soap Opera Name (middle name/city where you once lived or were born): Earl Cheyenne 

5. Star Wars Name (He had one previously from high school also!): McJod Chalb of the planet Avelox. (Same planet as me). 
6. Superhero Name (2nd favorite color/ favorite drink): White Coffee
7. Nascar Name (the first names of your grandfathers): John Harley
8. Stripper Name  (the name of your favorite perfume, cologne or scent/favorite candy): Adventure Starburst (switching the order sounds better... Starburst Adventure)
9. Weatherman Name(your 5th grade teacher’s last name/ a major city that starts with the same letter): Howe Hartford
10. Spy Name: (your favorite season/favorite holiday): Summer Christmas
11. Cartoon Name: (favorite fruit/ article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Strawberry Warm-up Pants
12. Hippie Name: (What you ate for breakfast/your favorite tree): Yogurt Live Oak

About Him. (aka The Husband Survey).

A fellow blogger, Sarah, did this cute survey on her blog, so I decided to as well. 

1) Where did you meet? Outside of The Nelsons house.

2) How long till you got married?  Oh geez. Like a lifetime. Not really. That was in January or February of 2002. We got married in August of 2008, But we didn't start dating until 2004. Long story we have had and then again, maybe it is just beginning. 

3) How long have you been married? Just over six months. 

4) Your favorite feature of his? I like his whole face. Is that a feature? 

5) Your favorite quality of his? He is still playful, even though he is a responsible adult. 

6) Does he have a nickname for you? Hmm. We call each other Honey. Not babe. When he wants to get my goat he calls me Tootse. Grrr. 

7) His favorite food? Fish (without sauce). Actually he is a really good eater so there might be other things he likes equally, but I won't bother listing them all. Of his mom's food I think he loves loves loves Tuna Casserole and Thanksgiving Dinner. 

8) What is his favorite sport to watch? Sport singular? Can't answer that. He watches all & any sports. (e.g. Jack Russell Racing). He watches USC football, among almost all other teams, Nascar, a little basketball, golf, soccer, tennis, swimming, rugby,  pool, hockey... Actually, I haven't seen him watching pool or cheerleading or gymnastics, but we haven't lived together very long either. Give it time. Or maybe he doesn't consider those sports...

9) When was your first kiss? in 2004. 

10) Whats your favorite thing to do as a couple?  His response would probably be different than mine. I like getting coffee and chatting together, going to church or walking around the mall. I think he likes going for a walk / jog, playing ___ (fill in the blank: golf, racquetball, tossing a football, etc.) But we pretty much both enjoy hanging out with one another.

11) Do you have kids? We do not. We have only been married six months people

12) Does he have a hidden talent? Hidden. He could have. He might have been keeping it hidden from me for all these years.

13) How old is he? 24

14) Who said I love you first? We were just talking about this. He said it first.

15) What do you admire most about him? His never-ending good attitude and abundant wisdom.

16) What is his favorite type of music? That would be Counting Crows. What type that is, I'm not sure. Rock-ish? And he loves Dave Crowder Band & Dave Matthews. He is a little bit with music like he is with sports; enjoys it all.

17) Do you think he will read this? Eventually yes. 

18) I tag: Kelley!

Thank You for Asking!

Mr. Ruggedly Handsome,

Thank you for asking me to marry you one year ago today. Here is a little list of things I love about you.

1. I still love your dimples.

2. And I love that you can't feel them, so you don't always know when they are showing.  

3. Sometimes they tell your secrets for you. 

4. You have great taste in music. 

5. Sometimes you sleep in late on the weekend and I think its cute.

6. I really don't mind when you sing in the car. 

7. You have introduced me to some wonderful foods: eggs over medium is one example. 

8. I like it when you pick me up and move me out of your way. 

9. You're pretty much the best roommate I have ever had. (No offense to any former roommates.)

10. You have more kinds of shoes than I do (for this or that), but I have more pairs. 

11. You love family most. 

12. You want a golden retriever and I think you should have one. Someday. 

13. You are pretty much my own personal Bobby Flay. 

14. You're still playful. 

15. You're good competition for House Hunters. 

16. You have the most energy of anyone I know. 

17. You warm the truck up for me when we are riding somewhere together and it is cold outside.

18. Usually because I'm still gathering for the trip and you've been ready to go for ten minutes.

19. You let me turn the heater up in the house when I am cold. 

20. You are sad that football season is over and I thought I would not be sad but I empathize with you.  

21. You love to quote movies.

22. You're more adventurous than I am. 

23.You're my favorite person to do nothing with. (Sorry, you're my favorite person with whom to do nothing.)

24. You had wisdom in waiting.

25. I am thankful you asked.

love you for keeps for real,

-wife 

A Snowboarding Trip.

Mr. Rh left on a snowboarding trip this afternoon. He was accompanied by his eldest brother, a bag full of "warm clothing" (which I'm sad about because I borrow his sweatshirts and his fleece all the time), the board, the boots, and a few snacks (which his brother was supposed to prepare, but I'm guessing that SaRah, his wife made/packed them!... She is more domesticated than I). 

How tragic that he left me! Ahhh!! The agony...the pain. Nooo, no, I'm not really TOO sad because I am NOT a fan of snowboarding. In fact, I haven't done it since high school. I tried to like it for many reasons. And I went often enough to get the hang of it and have a few good days. But now, I would probably make a fool of myself, since it has been at least seven seasons (with continual protest over the last four seasons by the boy, now the Mr.)

In high school most of my friends did it(It being snow sports involving skill and mountains). My parents had never really taken me snow skiing as a child, because my brother and I showed very little interest. But as friends got into it I tried. I though snowboarders (girls) were so cute with their pig tails, beanies, white and teal colored boards, and cute Roxy clothes.  And then, snowboarder boys were cute too! But I've already got me one of those. (The cutest one I ever met.)

I wouldn't say I'm not athletic enough to give it a whirl again (and sometimes I think I'd like to have snow-related activities in common with the boy) but geez, I do not like being cold! Actually, I despise it. And being cold and wet is even more miserable. And being cold, wet, sore in the bum, and continually making a fool of myself self coming off the lift is not my idea of a vacation.  But... I still like the outfits. And I sure wouldn't mind a reason to wear a cute beanie with pig tails at the age of 25. (Or am I too old for that even if I am on a snow-packed, powder-filled mountain? I regress). 

Anyhow, I'll miss the Mr. while he is gone, though I won't wish I were on the Rockies with him. I am however learning to appreciate that we have different interests. That it is wonderful that he still has a great relationship with his older brothers. That time apart (still) makes my little heart pitter patter for him, stronger than when I see him every day and have the opportunity to take advantage of that. And it validates the claim I make about him being "Rugged" to my readers. (Though it doesn't particularly need to be validated and Side Note: As far as the handsome claim, its just my opinion, which will suffice for my purposes here). 

Grilled Goodness

Because Mr. Rh and I both had the day off in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, we collaborated after a long walk / jog and decided on grilling for dinner. We used his grilling basket for squash, zucchini, and onions. I made a marinade for the Tilapia, and cooked some cous cous to compliment the fish. I thought the marinade was especially tasty, so I will share it with you after I share of the deliciousness. 

This is our dinner table, semi-set. Enough for tonight when the only guests we were entertaining were our little appetites. Forgive the messiness on the left side and the white walls (apartment). You can also see the lamp that we like on the table because it gives enough extra light in our "dining room."  On our plates is the cous cous, the fish is waiting in the middle...

Here is a better shot of the fish. 

I think Mr. Rh could eat fish 21 meals out of the week! He used to work on a lake for some time and he was really spoiled on good fish. This was our first married attempt to cook it. I think some species of fish will be feeding our appetites several times a month, now that we are not so intimidated!

If you would like to try this at home: 

Marinade Recipe 

(a little imprecise, but improvising is what good cooking is about right?) For 5-6, 5-6oz. filets I used: 

3ish tablespoons olive oil.
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 ish teaspoon of dill weed

I let them marinate for probably 35-40 minutes and Mr. Rh (my own Bobby Flay) did the grilling. As far as I understand he cooked them on low-medium for about six or so minutes on each side. (Grilling = another reason I feel blessed having a wonderful husband!).