My Funny Valentine

I am the luckiest girl in the world ...... at the times when the water has been deep and dark ... you're right there

Just another day

Today is our 13th anniversary. My husband is in Atlantic City, NJ .... with six other guys ... at this point in the day - he has probably lost a good chunk of change and has had too many beers. I'm sitting at the dining room table, finishing off a glass of wine, and singing along to the Thomas Rhett shuffle on the Amazon Echo. 

Earlier tonight, the girls and I had dinner with someone who started out as a friend but has become an important part of our family. She arrived with ice cream, flowers and genuine appreciation to be sharing a meal with us. She and her husband were at our wedding and 13 years later, I still think of that moment in the receiving line when she took me by the elbows and said with the biggest smile "You look radiant" ... the photographer even caught that exchange and that moment meant so much to me that it is one of the candids in our big wedding album. Every time I see it, I hear her voice in my head saying that. 

Some wives might be annoyed that their husband planned his annual guys trip to coincide with their anniversary, but it is just another day. That probably sounds bad but here's what I mean. Paul shows up - he's present. Every. Stinking. Day. Sometimes, the days really stink too. 

We weren't high school sweethearts. We weren't first loves. We were older when we met. One fresh off a divorce, one still trying to finalize one. We were angry. We were bruised. We were battered, limping along. Don't get me wrong, we were both getting by with help from family and friends, but we had some work to do.

There were people who surprised us - the people who said things fairly early in our relationship like "you two have a lot of baggage, you should go to therapy", "do you have anything in common?", "He's a little more blue collar than you date" and my personal favorite - the people who took up residence in our Ex's camp. 

I joked around our 10th anniversary that I was pretty sure there were some side comments or bets at our wedding on "how long this would last" and that I was thinking we probably should get the pot at that point. 

I've been re-reading a lot of old posts about Paul and us this last week ... last year on FB I posted this:

"You are fiercely loyal and protective. Your faith in me never wavers ..... You are strong and steady and you continue to make every dream I dream come true. Happy Anniversary - love you and the life we've built more than you'll ever know."

All that still applies today - in bold, italics, underline ... we have had the most amazing year and much of that is because we have come to an understanding on the importance of us, that it is our number one priority. It has been a year that was lived with much intention and the results have taken my breath away. 

Years ago, I was sharing with a high school friend that I had reconnected with on FB how finding Paul changed my life and she posted this on my wall with something along the lines "Like this???"

Yup, pretty much. 

We would have made it if we hadn't had the good fortune to be introduced by mutual friends, but we are definitely #bettertogether.

So it doesn't matter to me that I was in CT and he is in NJ tonight ...because every day is a celebration.

PentaWHO?

#23 - I am thankful for Pentatonix

There is no Christmas tree in my house, there are no candles in the windows, but the elves move around each night, we're excitedly opening advent calendars each morning.  We are listening to Christmas music....a LOT of it! 

I'm obsessed with Pentatonix this year. I think I was introduced to them via a Facebook post a year or 2 ago. I discovered a cappella music in college and instantly fell in love so these guys were totally in my wheelhouse.

This Christmas season we are playing and replaying Pentatonix from YouTube. I'm partial to their version of Little Drummer Boy and Do You Hear What I Hear?

Sometimes we're a little Bah Humbug about Christmas in Romanskiville, but give them a listen....they'll put you in the mood!

#23 - I am thankful for Pentatonix

Fit as a Fiddle

#22 - I am thankful for good health

Last week, the 6 year old granddaughter of a colleague died after repeated battles with cancer. Her celebration of life will be on Wednesday. 

Tuesday, I have the funeral Mass for the mom of an amazing friend to Paul and then me. 

An acquaintance is in the hospital, preparing for the end of her life. I think she's in her mid-30's.

It is 15 days before Christmas.

In early November, Kristen was sick - REALLY sick. Home from school for a week and a day, no energy, no appetite and it went on. She moved from her bed to the couch and back to her bed. 

One day she ate 5 saltines - ALL DAY. The next day, half of a Popsicle. A trip to the doctor and then another ... after 9 days .. we started an antibiotic and 3 days later there was some improvement. 

We have friends and family who are not as lucky as we continue to be. We have people in our village who have children with cancer, long term heart conditions, and other serious health issues. 

I think when you have good health you too easily forget the gift that it is and, perhaps, you become a bit complacent. 

I'm going to stop doing that.....

#22 - I am thankful for good health

A Christmas Miracle

#21 - I am thankful for surprises

Earlier tonight, I sat down and wrote most of a blog post with the intention of adding some pictures when I got home. It talked about all the texts, emails, and other messages I received all day long wishing me congratulations and good luck. 

I wrote about how excited I was to have the girls there with my brother and sister in law to watch me be sworn in. 

I wrote about how I was anxious and nervous and ... a little sad. I wanted so desperately for Paul to be there but after 15 years with this UPS man .. in peak season .. the thought that he would make a 7:30 pm event is well sort of ridiculous. I promised him in the morning that there would be pictures and video and it was all good ... 

A little before 7 a dear friend texted "Where is the ceremony tonight?" I answered and wanted to say, "please come" but I know how hectic and crazy her schedule is -- so I didn't dare.

The girls and I loaded up and made our way to City Hall. I was glad that I decided on the nylons and fancy boots when I saw the honor guard and bagpiper. I was taken back by the pageantry ... the dress uniforms, the suits, and that there was a formal procession into chambers. I was a little more disappointed when I saw what a "to do" this was and that Paul was missing it. 

Cindy, David and the girls found their seats and I waited in the hallway with a fellow board member. James and I were chatting away, talking about the meeting next week and then I saw a guy in a UPS turn the corner, I didn't even have to look at the face to know who it was .... HE MADE IT and walked in with my sister by his side. 

When we took our seats in Council Chambers, I saw my family all sitting together and looked to the left and saw my friend who texted earlier sitting near them. My heart was full. 

Needless to say, I had to rewrite this whole post. Truth to be told .. it was worth every minute. I am so grateful for every single one of my "people" who showed up tonight and so very thankful that we had another opportunity for a #CoreFour moment

#21 - I am thankful for surprises

Old School

#20 - I am thankful for my planner

I can't let go of a paper planner ... I like to block out chunks of time, cross things off lists, and see things laid out before me. Don't get me wrong .. I am an electronic calendar evangelist too ... I think it is crazy when colleagues don't send meeting invitations or update the group calendar .... I live by them both!

About a year ago, I discovered the Living Well Planner online. It was a bit of an investment but after watching the introductory video - it seemed like it was my "thing".  Maybe because I identified so much with the creator, Ruth Soukup. Her first marriage failed, she's a blogger, mother of 2, and seems like we're probably close in age. 

Anyway, back to the planner .... first of all it is bright and colorful and it comes undated so you can start .... whenever. Then at the beginning of every month, there is quote .. this is one of my favorites ... it resonates with the changes we've made in the last year to live our life with purpose and intention.

Then there are these pages for goal setting and a place to plan how to "Crush your Goal" ... I was going like gangbusters when first got my planner and watched the video series that comes with it. Then I fell off the wagon for a bit. At the end of October, I found a few minutes of quiet one night and planned out my monthly goals for November ... It felt so good to have that plan in front of me. It also felt a little less daunting to see it all listed out in the target areas and then the Big Three .... 2 of which I have already checked OFF!!!

I wasn't 100% ... the page where the plan to crush a goal sits awkwardly blank .... but there's always December!

I bought another planner in October. It was a little cheaper and it was more specifically designed to support my direct sales business. I used it for a week ... I love the cover and that my name is on it but it just doesn't work for me the way this one does and the spiral binding on that one sucks. 

I am sure it sounds a little hokey ... but this planner and the materials that go along with it speak to me. I am seeing results of my effort. That, in itself, makes this planner priceless. 

#livingwellplanner 

#20 - I am thankful for my planner

Wow, that is really smart ....

#19 - I am thankful for my smartphone

I've carried a mobile phone for a long time ... mostly because I've had a job where I needed to be "available" for after hours support.

I've had just about every kind out there -- flip phones, Treo, BlackBerry, and I'm currently on my 3rd iPhone (I think)

Besides the ability to make and receive phone calls when I am not at my desk or home, it does so much more for me. 

The camera is better then the point and shoot camera that I still tote on vacation. 

I can use it as a Walkman when I run or walk.

I can check my email, send text messages or be connected to our Google Chats at work. 

I can easily help my student staff after hours. 

I can pay bills, get discounts at some of my favorite stores, and I can deposit a check into my account ... From. My. PHONE. 

I think phones are overpriced and I'm probably on it more than I should be but it would be hard for me to get through a day without it. 

#19 - I am thankful for my smartphone