Vegmom Moments

A Bike Ride

What?
Another adventure you ask?
Why yes! Yes indeed!
It is the year for trying new things after all, so why not hop on over to Virginia and rent a bike to ride down a mountain? Sure! Let's do that!

Funniest part is neither the hubs nor I have been on a bike since the Vegkid was little. And even then, it was 5 miles max with a toddler trailer in tow.

But the Virginia Creeper is a trail that is mostly downhill. So you shuttle to the top and go zoom zoom. (Or chug chug in my case) down the trail on your bike. We did the 17 mile stretch because that is all we had time for as we got up there late and had to return the rental bikes. But next time, I'm going for the 34 miles. Oh yes I am!

The husband said that was the most fun he's had since he can remember. <Of course he has trouble remembering this morning's breakfast, so there is that>

But seriously. It was great and then we got a last minute room at a bed and breakfast which was simply AMAZING!!

We snuck in to town for dinner, watched the sunset and the moon rise. Then in the morning, we were up at 6am. So we sat on the porch to watch the sun come up over their farm. I decided I could live on that porch if food was delivered.

Needless to say, while the teen was away, we had a pretty awesome weekend including hikes, bikes, scenery, and some pretty great food too!

Trying new things in '16 marches on.....

 

 

Fun Hike Day

While the kid is away, the parents will play:
Yup! The Teen is on a five day excursion to see historical things with his school class so the hubs and I decided to something adventurous.

Turns out the first place we picked was hit by a hurricane. The second place was all sold out. The third place was a big game weekend and so hotels were taken. And all of the other spots were too far away in the event we had to go pick up the teen for some reason.

And then the hubs got a big ol'shot in his bad arm which made him sick and I came down with a cold. Bah!!!! In the end, we decided to have a long weekend full of "dates" instead of traveling anywhere as the signs were definitely against the travels.

 

Yesterday was a nice lunch and shopping excursion. Today was a hike! A LONG hike. The five mile kind. 5 miles isn't a lot for me on flat land, but when you are weak from feeling bad, still have a hurt foot from the washing machine, and your are climbing on rocks for the better part of 3hrs, it seemed like a lot more than five miles.

We had a blast though.

Even saw a bear (from the car thankfully) and the water was beautiful. I wasn't impressed with the waterfall itself but the pools were amazing. And the views along the stream were gorgeous.

I'm so thankful to live near this kind of beauty. And that both of our legs held up. The hubs was definitely a trooper on this one and our weekend still has two days left. Woot!!

 

Date adventures continued.....

Alone Time

All over my social media feed, I see people complaining about dating or wishing to find that perfect someone to go do something with, all the while complaining about themselves and their life within every meme. In some cases I can't keep up, as they are in and out of relationships (according to their Facebook pictures) faster than I can eat a salad.

Others are going from one marriage to another before it seems like enough time has passed for the divorce to be final so they aren't alone.

While I'm over here like: "Ooh everyone is sleeping, see ya" with a note to tell them where I'm going, I take my happy butt off to a day in the mountains. I've realized in 25yrs of marriage, that if you don't like who you are with when you are alone, you will never like who you are with when someone else is around. And let me tell ya, it was an absolutely awesome day!!!

If you ever find yourself feeling lonely while in or out of a relationship or looking for answers, get to know yourself. Spend some time doing what you love and the rest may just work itself out.

Time Passing

The hubs and I celebrated our 24yr anniversary last month. As if that didn't make me go "Hmmm" enough, the Vegkid started 7th grade last week.

I love watching Veg grow in to the man he will be and knowing that he wouldn't even be here at all if it weren't for the marriage that the hubs and I have shared.

Good, bad, or indifferent... 24yrs later, we have a 7th grader and I wouldn't change that for the world.

A Happy Flower

For those of you that have been around a while, you know that my hubs isn't the best gift giver on the planet.

So I thought when he showed up for my birthday with this rose, some kudos were do. You see, I don't like flowers as gifts. He knows this because I don't like the smell. Well, and they die... There is that too.

But he found this orange rose that he thought looked like a happy flower. And he said, a happy flower should be mine on my birthday. He also said that he'd never seen an orange rose before and therefore it was weird, just like me!

I'll take that as a compliment.

A Fun Drive

Saturday morning I decided to take the Vegkid for an adventure day.  He was not so keen on the idea and eventually agreed to go.  By then his dad was awake and wanted to come with us.  Only problem was that it was later by now and I knew we would hit quite a bit of traffic. 

By the time we actually made it to our lunch destination near the touristy town, the child was feeling car sick because he didn't eat a good breakfast, we had found 19 different state license plates during a TWO mile long game, and the husband was completely agitated by the out of state drivers that were unsure where they were going. 

Veg was super excited to show his dad how good he had gotten at an arcade game but upon arrival the game  was out of order.  And the restaurant we wanted to eat at had too long of a wait so we ended up somewhere else. 

Which was perfectly OK.  Lunch was deelish and the boys both calmed down and began to enjoy eachother's company for a bit.  When Veg announces that he doesn't want to go to our intended mountain riding adventure.  He said his stomach was still doing flippy turns from the extended drive and he was afraid he'd chuck his cookies if he want on a mountain ride.  And so we walked around the center we were at.  Visited some stores, got some fresh air and took a long extra pretty walk back to our car.

Then we left and began the drive home.  Taking the scenic route to get us out of traffic we passed another mountain ride but the line of people was wrapped around the parking lot so we nixed the tourist attractions and kept driving through the mountains.  Stopping at little old country stores and telling jokes with a whole bunch of laughter.

At the end of the mountain drive there is a turn off to the main road that takes us home and a whole host of cabin shaped stores and cafes.  We pulled in since we've never been there only to discover that the cafe was closed, the play ground was gone, and the only stores open were a coffee shop that coudln't make coffee (machine was broke) and a couple of museum type boutiques. 

Needless to say our day was full of unexpected turns and hilarious conversation but at some point the hubs said... "Do you realize we came all this way JUST to eat lunch"....

Well nooooo...  "We actually came all this way for you to get off the Xbox for 5 minutes, the boy to get out of the house and us to spend some time together, in the end we had some pretty great laughs and that was worth the drive"

UNTIL....  

We realized that we couldn't exit the cabin place without taking a one way road around to the back of the complex and upon taking that corner we saw this in front of us:

It wasn't even raining and we saw the most beautiful rainbow.  (the picture doesn't do justice)

I always say that seeing a Rainbow for me is my Mom sending a smile and boy did I need it... During the drive home, I spotted 7 more rainbows.  SEVEN rainbows on a day with no rain...  

The funniest thing is that we rarely drive that way home when we visit the mountains. And when we do, we have never ever stopped at that location nor would we have found ourselves delayed in the coffee shop with no coffee trying to find a bathroom to use.  And we certainly wouldn't have ever driven around the back of those log cabins in the 20yrs we have lived here.  

But yesterday we did, and there was a rainbow waiting for us.   It was the most amazing feeling of warmth that I can't really explain.  And a little reminder that everything is going to be OKAY!

 

It Must Be Hiding

This morning the Hubs decided he was going to feed the dog and I hear from the kitchen:

"Argh, where is she hiding the dog food". Cabinets are opening and closing. There is huffing and puffing and fussing.

"Ok, I know the food has to be here somewhere"

Hmmmmm where oh where could the food be? Right next to the food bowl perhaps.
Just a thought!

Operation Ping Pong Table Complete

Well Operation Ping Pong Table was surely a success in more ways than one!

After I posted about the original task of purchasing and getting this monster home then in to the bathroom.  The Hubs came home and decided it needed a better hiding place.

Between the two of us, we lifted it in to the Bathtub of our basement bathroom and closed the curtain.  Realizing that my kiddo never uses that bathtub or shower, it became a perfect hiding place for all Christmas presents and none were the wiser.    Kudos to Hubby for that one.

When it was time for Christmas Eve and putting the table together, the Hubs said he was doing it BY HIMSELF and sent me off to take care of the rest of our christmas festivities.  THIS my friends was a dream come true because for every year in the past, I was the one up till 3am making sure everything was assembled wrapped and ready for the Vegkid to have eyes of glory in the morn.

While the Mr. put together that table and it took 3hrs, I enjoyed a relaxing evening of tea, wrapping, and quiet music.  All the while I hear him fussing how big it is and trying his hardest to not ask for help.  Granted I offered, but I was turned away multiple times, and I'm OK with that. 

By the way, it is a HUGE table, As in, it takes up 1/2 the basement and totally breaks in to the "media" center aka "man cave" aka "Xbox area".

Did I mention the purchase of this table was a success???  Yeah!  It was.... Goooo Me!  haha

In all the years that I've played Ping Pong or Table Tennis which ever you chose to call it, I never noticed how big the tables were.  Either that or my basement is just really small.

Upon completion, I adorned the table in Christmas lights, Christmas hats and hung up all the stockings.  

My little man slept in till 8:15am and I was not complaining about that ONE SINGLE BIT!

When he went downstairs, he says "Ooooh, Pretty Christmas lights"... not once noticing the table.  He walked all the way past the table straight for the stockings.   HOW COULD HE NOT NOTICE THE TABLE?

Maybe it was the sleeping-in brain fog, or maybe the stockings were magical and pulled his eyes toward the fire place but either way, I laughed out loud!

So I said "Hey, turn around"

He turns around.... looks at the table, processes what he is seeing.  Just stands there for a minute and then  shouts "NOOOOO WAYYYY, You got us a real ping pong table???... Nooooo Wayyyy, You've got to be kidding me.  And a real net.... Nooooo wayyyy"

It was truly a classic moment.

We have used that table no less than 200 times since and it has become a wonderful gathering place.  I hope that it continues to provide the magic of Christmas for many years to come.  The magic of bringing people together, great conversation, new surprises and a whole lot of fun.

To that, I put this story to bed.... Operation Ping Pong Table - COMPLETE!
 

Perfect Week

Some people talk about marriages going through seasons.  I like to call them phases because they kind of last longer than three months  Here are our phases:

Years 1-13:   Can't get enough of each other, travel together, don't like to be a part.

Years 14-20:  Finding our own way in life, learning to travel alone, raising child, changing careers, moving houses, just busy

Post 20yrs:  WOOOHOOO, he/she left for a few days, LIFE IS GOOOOOOD!!!!

There was a time when the hubs leaving would make me sad.  Now it is like Go Go Gadget, let me show you the door, I will help you pack!  

And I'm not even saying that in a mean way.  He is the same for me.  In fact he doesn't show me the door, or help me pack.  He'll just say:  "Are you gone yet?"

Fact is, we have entered a phase in our marriage where it is OK that he sends me a text saying "I'm leaving for a few days to go up North, see you when I get back"  

And I'm like.... WOOOT!!!!!!   There is no discussion before hand, no explanation, no notice, or request if this meshes with my schedule or if we have plans... Nope, he was taking a trip.  And I was cool with that!

BYE Hubs!  And man was it a perfect and productive few days!!!

Vegkid and I had so much fun.  I'm talking forts made out of sheets, and tinker toy furniture kind of fun.  I got soooo much accomplished.  As in the entire upstairs cleaned, every single dish and piece of laundry in the entire house washed and put away.  Great things happened with work and tons of progress made on documents.  Plus sitting in the sun for even ten minutes (sometimes more) was a daily occurrence.   The weather was perfect, the food exceptional, articles were written, and awesome sleep was had by all (even the dog).   I felt like I was on vacation and yet I got so much done.

Some say when the mouse is away, the cat will play....  Well I didn't play.. Nope, I worked hard, and slept harder.  At one point Vegkid said "Mom why are you being such a busy bee?"  OH BECAUSE I CAN!!!

I don't think I've ever felt this accomplished yet so relaxed in my entire life....  And something about a clean house doesn't hurt either.

To top it off, I was able to attend my young man's first stage production at school, and still hit up CrossFit every day...

Did I mention, it was a PERFECT week!

My Get-Fit Journey Continues

The list of fun Hubby comments continue in my journey to be a more fitter me!!  Thought it would be fun to compile them along with my very thorough responses.

Yeah, he isn't so fond of changes, and apparently my muscle/fat ratio shift is a change he just can't handle.

Enjoy:

"You are getting man hands" ---  Well since my fingers are a size 4, I'm just not worried about that really happening.

"Rope climbing isn't very feminine, you know" ---  Neither is wearing HeeHaw overalls but you married me anyway.

"Women aren't supposed to have muscles" ----  Really?  Because I thought we were all born with muscles.

"Since when do you wear tank tops?" -----  Since my shoulders got too big for shirts...  hahaha (just kidding, they aren't THAT big)

"You do realize that we have workout equipment downstairs, don't you?" ---  Well yes we do, but being that it hasn't been used in 20yrs, I'll stick with CrossFit, thank you very much!

Of course there was the midlife crisis conversation

And my favorite of all time:

"Can you not move your shoulders like that when you brush your hair?"

<Why?>

"Because it is gross"

<So you're saying my shoulders are gross?>

"just if I can see them moving"

Hmmm.... OK, so let me try to brush my hair WITHOUT moving my arm....   

<Nope sorry, it doesn't work>

Yeah, I really stood there with a hair brush and tried to move my head without moving my arm but it just didn't work so well.  I'm sure you can visualize *smile*

Needless to say, Hubby isn't so fond of my physical changes.  It is a good thing he doesn't notice the mental ones, because inside I'm thinking..... "Frankly my Dear, I don't give a damn"

*smile*  The fact is, when we make positive changes in our lives there will always be people that don't go along for the ride or people with their own insecurities but, if we let them bring us down, it becomes OUR insecurities.  And I'm just not willing to do that.

I think Flo said it best:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Anniversary Follow-Up

Many asked me after Monday, how our anniversary went... 

Well, it pretty much went like any other day.  However, the real question among family and friends was:

"Did he remember it was your Anniversary?"

Since we don't really do gifts or make a big deal out of that day, I wouldn't expect anything extravagant.  And well, I still wouldn't expect anything extravagant because my Hubs isn't the best gift giver.

However, we usually exchange cards, go out to eat and generally recognize that we made it another year without throwing each other out the window.  And usually we talk about it in advance. 

Just in normal conversation like, "Goodness, I can't believe our anniversary is coming up" 

But this year, there was really no talk about it.  Nothing, Nada, Zippy, Zilch....  Which means I wasn't sure if he would remember, think about it or even look at the calendar on the fridge with the big star that says "TODAY IS OUR Anniversary"

So I had three choices:

1)  Tell Him

2)  Wait and see if he remembers on his own

3)  Give him the card and watch his face when he realized why I gave him a card

Well then it happened... Sunday night there was a rare moment where we were all sitting at the kitchen table, he glanced at the fridge, saw the calendar and went... "Oh Wow, tomorrow is our anniversary, did you know that?"

Yes, as a matter of fact I DID know that *wink*

Needless to say, he remembered in advance by a few hours.   In the morning, he woke up before me and drew a picture on a piece of a paper with an anniversary greeting that was part sweet and part hilarious.

Later, we went to lunch, the Vegmen played laser tag and we stopped at the park, where I finally got across a set of Monkey bars... WOOHOO!!

Yes, the monkey bars were the most exciting part of my anniversary day.  

But, he did think enough to make a card, so I guess I'll keep him.

 

22 Year Anniversary Card

Usually at this time of year, I post a reflection, an epiphany or a story about this thing called marriage tied together by a ring and some vows.

Sometimes I share parts of the vows, the commitment, and the reasons we stick it out... But this time.. I'm not doing any of that.  Nope... This time I'm posting about cards.

You see, I wasn't feeling crafty this year.  So I went to the store to look for a card.  All I could find was the mushy gushy stuff.  

I know there are people who still feel that way after 20 yrs and I admire them from a far.  But I'm just keeping it real when I say, it ain't always like that.  Someone recently said to me "If anyone claims they have it all together, THEY LIE".  Meaning, there is no perfect marriage and I'm OK with saying OURS Ain't perfect!

So I started thinking about the Anniversary cards that I WOULD write if there were a card section for marriages like mine. 

Here are a few that come to mind:

"Happy Anniversary to the person who drives me nuttier than anyone I have ever known"

"Happy Anniversary to you and your Xbox" 

"When our marriage began it was full of butterflies and fireworks, now we have cicadas and fireflies off the back deck"

"Ah, what can I say after 22 years that hasn't already been said.......oh yeah, nothing!"

"Dear Sweet Husband of Mine, 22 years ago I loved your child-like demeanor... But you can GROW UP any day now, REALLY"

"You have seen me through sickness and in health, labor and delivery, bathroom #1 and #2, all dressed up or with bed head.  In all these years you have seen my better and my worse, my wealthy and my living off of peanut butter sandwiches.  You have seen me when phones were stuck to the wall by a cord and when giving mixed tapes were cool... oh yeah, never-mind, they were never cool... To the man that has seen my everything and complained every bit of the way, Happy Anniversary"

"To the love of my life, Hey... can you hear me?  I'm talking to you......"

"Dear Husband, there used to be a time when we would race to see who could get to the bedroom first.  Now I race to the bedroom so I can have the bed to myself without snoring.  Here's to many more years of me being faster than you.... "

"Happy Anniversary to the man that stole my heart, and my sanity, and my........  Well I'll just say Happy Anniversary"

 

Thinking I should stop here.  Wouldn't want a Greeting Card company to find all this goodness and decide to hire me for their Mushy Gushy section.  *Smile*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funny Words in the House

Trying to remember all the little funny things that happen to keep my Mom getting some smiles.  Hopefully this post will do the trick!

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Here is a conversation from the other day:

Husband:  "I was thinking of getting you a kettle-bell set for your birthday that goes up to 10"

Me:  "Is that 10KG or 10LB"

Husband:  "That is 10 Pounds, why you swing more than that?"

Me:  "Well yeah, I use the 36lb kettle-bells"

Husband:  "OH"

Nothing more was said!

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I sent my Aunt a picture similar to this one, and she replied with:

"Is that photo-shop, because I don't think eating carrots will help you to do that?"

Then she said, "Speaking of carrots, what do you put your candles in for your birthday, a Squash?"

I do love my Aunt!!!

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At CrossFit we have a weight lifting thing called "The Snatch".  It isn't a pretty name and I try not to use it. But today I was talking to my Hubs about all the PR's (personal records) I've been getting lately and caught myself saying "I have a nice snatch but my grip needs some work".....  

Yeah, should have seen his face on THAT one!!!

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Today my 10yr old son was acting like a teen and my 40ish something Husband was acting the EXACT same way.  I looked at them both and said:

"It is like I have two 13yr olds in my kitchen"

Veg says without skipping a beat:

"Can we make that 16, so I can at least drive a car?"

I reply back:

"Fine, it is like I have two 16yr olds in my kitchen"

And they both High Five each other as if they are proud to be acting this way.

Granted the 10yr old, I can understand.... but his FATHER????   What is up with that???

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When my Dad went to the ranger station after being missing for 48hrs, he said to the Ranger:

"I found myself, is there a reward"

Only my Dad, I tell ya!

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Last but certainly not least:

While fully covered in a T-Shirt and Sports boulder holder,  I was leaning forward to grab something and apparently cleavage was noticeable from where Veg was sitting.

He says... "Umm Mom, can you put on a different shirt, those things are showing and that is really inappropriate"

Well alrighty then!

 

 

Snacks, Sorta!

The Husband has discovered Costco, and brought these home in a bag the size of my kitchen table.

He couldn't figure out why Veg and I (both dairy free) would not eat them....

He said he couldn't tell they had dairy in them....   Is it just me or does the giant word "CHEDDAR" on the front not come from the dairy family?  *smile*

 

Grocery List

Yesterday I returned from a Michigan trip with the Vegkid.   Details to follow, but I had to share this one first.

When we came home there was litterally no food in the house.  Nothing, Nada, Zilch!   We pull in after an extra long day due to construction, as in 11hrs in the car.   And husband is waiting in the house to ask ME what is for dinner or do I want to go out.  

<No, I do not want to go out, I just got home after 11hrs in the car>

"Are you making something then?"

<No, I'm not making anything after 11hrs in the car>

He then says "But there isn't anything in the house to eat"

<So why didn't you go grocery shopping?>

"Because I made a list"  Then he hands me his list all proud.....

I hand him the piece of paper back and told him I hope it tastes good for dinner.

Then today I went grocery shopping.

Anniversary Timeline

As I mentioned here the last couple of years, I have been glummy on my Anniversary.  Not for anything my husband has or hasn't done but more because of my expectations of what I think he should or shouldn't do.

I'm not expecting gifts, flowers or chocolate.  I don't even expect a card.  We are married every day, so the Anniversary date is just another day.  But as the years pass, I get to reflecting and then I get Glummy.

PS. this is the last anniversary post of the year, I promise :-)

So this year, I did something different, it went something like this:

Day 1:

1. Husband had morning plans
2. Vegkid and I went all day adventuring and had a Blast
3. We met husband for a very nice dinner where he surprised me with a card that he actually drew/wrote in himself.  
4. Husband went off to a Movie and some solo time
5. Vegkid and I came home to enjoy a quiet night

Day 2:

1. I took a Health Coaching test (passed by the way.. YAY!!)
2. Drove Vegkid to camp and came home to work
3. Husband had appointments then he came home
4. We went together for an uninterrupted late lunch and coffee beverage
5. We picked up child together and came home  (notice the word together)
6. I worked some more, while he and vegkid played
7. Then husband and I did some future planning together
8. He watched Vegkid while I went for a run
9. Then he went out with friend 
10. Vegkid and I spent time together making/eating dinner and looking through photos.

 

Notice the nice combination of Solo, Together, and Family moments that include fun, Work, Business, School, and future planning.  House work kind of suffered the past couple of days but that is OK!

This turned in to the absolute Best Anniversary week ever!!  Maybe the Glummy streak has officially ended.

Ohhh.. rewind to the adventuring, here are some pictures:

This was a bridge about 1900 feet high, with a glass bottom area towards the end.  

 

View from the bridge:

And this was a Magic quest place where you are actually the character in the game.  It was quite cool.  You have to run around the building and find gold, characters, encouraging words and dragons.  There is a wand thing and they save your data to a server.  So if we go back, we can start right where we left off.

I didn't think I would participate and Veg would just do his thing, but turns out this task took some major team work.  We had so much fun together.

We also went on a putt putt course that required a train ride and stopped for some watermelon to snack (as I was not prepared food wise for this spur of the moment adventure) then went to a lunch of Veg's choosing where I chomped up a salad.

Did I mention, it was a wonderful Day?

So to that I put a close on this 21st Anniversary.  I learned a lot about myself the past few days, and in turn have learned a lot about the husband too.

Maybe the Glummies are gone forever!

WEDDED BLISS - CAN BE WORK

Fitting for this week's topic, I just found this post in my drafts folder.   I typed it up a few years ago and must have forgotten to hit the "publish" button.  So there it sat, until today.   I loved re-reading it just now as a great reminder that we are married to the person we married.  

You must read to understand that statement!

 

Stepping away from my usual food rants to get personal for a moment....  Not sure why really, but it just came to me and when things pop in my head, I type them.   So here we go....

Something I've learned as times gone on..... Marriage if done right, is WORK!   Something else I've learned is while things change, some things never do... And while people can change, sometimes they don't.

Going to break this in to parts of posts so it doesn't get too long... And I will start with Romance!

I got married to my Knight in Shining Armor (I mean sailor) around 18.5 years ago. The day he met me, I wasn't impressed... The day we went on our first date.... I was NOT impressed...  He was not the "romantic" type when we met.... 

I still remember the moment "it clicked" that I would be with him for the rest of our days.  It was the most unromantic of all places... THE MALL... 

I can remember exactly what he was wearing, exactly what he looked like that day as if it is frozen in time... It was the moment watching him come around the corner that still gives me butterflies... his big, strong, tan self, just out of boot camp and ready to take on the world. 

He walked around the corner and said "Got any cookies?"  I worked at a cookie shop... was this romantic?  NO!  But I fell in love with him that day and we were married 6 months later.

When he asked me to marry him, he showed up with a non-diamond ring, and didn't get on one knee, and didn't really ask me properly, but I said yes!  With all my heart and that little topaz ring was all I could have asked for.  His heart was bigger then any diamond..but was it a romantic moment?  NO!  It was OUR moment and always will be.

Ah This Marriage Stuff

I'm not the kind that reflects much on Birthdays.  We all get old, so be it!  

I'm convinced that we can choose to grow old living well, or we can choose to grow old and be miserable.  But in the end, we are all going to get old.  So that doesn't bother me.

What is rare these days however, seems to be long lasting marriages.  Especially those that began in the Teen years.  So every year when anniversary time comes, I reflect on the years gone by and the years ahead.  

In the past, I would get happy that another anniversary went by thinking how great we were doing to make it that far.  The quality of our relationship was one that made my Mother'n'law ill.  (her words by the way)  But now I get glummy when reflecting.

You see people post their undying love to their significant others, talking about their best friends, supporters, various other things, and their sweetie pies on their anniversaries.  They give mushy cards or extravagant  gifts.  I'm not saying any of that is bad and I hope they keep their mush for ever!  

But in my house I'm just keeping it real when I say HOG WASH!!!

There was a time, when I couldn't be away from him without getting wheepy.  Mushy was our middle name. He was my best friend, my everything, and all I knew that was good in the world.  Now, we pretty much spend a lot of time apart and I'm totally OK with that.  (usually)

Do I love him any less?  NO!  

But do I always like him?  NO!!!!!

When we like each other, things are good.  When we don't, things are not so good.  But after 21 years, I suppose we have a right to not like each other some times.  And maybe that is why I get glummy around anniversary time.  

I reflect on what was, instead of what we have.  And really that isn't fare of me to compare the 40+ yr old man to his 20+ yr old younger being.  

Heck, think about me 21 yrs ago.  OK, lets not think about me 21yrs ago.  

So I was looking at my vows the other night and the part about "Keep Him" means I can't get rid of him.  And the part about "Love Him" means I can't not.  So what is a girl to do?  I guess the part about "I now pronounce you husband and wife"  means we stay married.

Because at the end of the day, we got each other for better or for worse.  And while sometimes there is a worse, there is better too.  And I don't believe any marriage moves forward without some worse.  (could be wrong, but saying it anyway)

Besides, without this husband of mine, who would I get to remove the spiders and snakes from the garage??

Funny enough, my anniversary note to him was a ripped up peice of scrap paper laid at the top of the man cave stairs that said "Happy Anniversary, Thanks for putting up with me this long"

His note to me was a freshly drawn picture (very cool one by the way) with a letter inside the folded piece of card stock that started with "Thanks for not giving up on me in the low times"

And my anniversary tribute to everyone, is this:

 And so we do!!  We still love each other, we still can laugh, share and enjoy.  But by golly by gosh there are days where we just don't like each other, and even if that makes me glummy come anniversary time, it is OK!

.....to be continued

 

 

 

Once Again We Have a New Roof

It wasn't that long ago when we got our last new roof.  But since then there was hail.  Really Really big hail, and more rain than our house had likely ever seen.  

Then there was insurance, adjusters, contractors galore... and this (lots of this actually):

The new roofers fixed that (lots of that):

Then they left!  We got a whole new roof and all the damage underneath was fixed.... YAY!!

But next step is to paint.  You see the roofers don't paint.  I could have hired someone, but Husband said it would be no trouble.

No trouble???   Yeah right!!!   The dude (yes I called my husband a dude) goes up this ladder, which is held stable by nothing more then a piece of wood under one side (like you would do for a table that is unsteady).   Then when he finishes a spot, he grabs the ladder and hops to try and move it over without having to come down.  Ahhhh..   

You know if our ground was level, it would be one thing.  But it is on a slope.

And he says "If you hear a crash, call the morgue"   NICE!!!

If your counting that is two times in two years that he has been up on that ladder and two times in two years that we have gotten a new roof.   So much for 30yr shingles and 15yr paint!

The new roofer said this was a lifetime roof.  So by their calculations, we will be 120 years old before we have to worry with it again.  I think I'm going to hold them to that!

Next up... Gutters...

Happy Valentines Day

Vegkid and I usually do cards (with scraps and recycled material) or hand made paper games to distribute at school for Valentines day.  

But this year, neither of us were in the mood and wanting to do something new.  Insert Crafty Crow, where we found This idea... Veg Loved It!

Since Husband was all in to working in the garage last week, (and being overly nice) I showed him the idea.  Of which he replied,

"I have a perfect limb for that.  It fell from the tree in our last storm.  You'll have them cut tomorrow"

And so we did!  24 of them to be exact!  

Veg kid didn't want to decorate fancy (he is a BOY and turning NINE ya no!)  EX-Cuuuuuseeee me!

But since Husband said he had to "practice" to find the right pen... I got one too!

*smile*  

Happy Valentines Day!!

 

Space Saver Cabinet Racks

My Husband must have received a nibble from the Decluttering/Organizing bug..  

(or maybe it was a nagging wife that offered to hire someone to build these space savers)

Look what he built for me today:

And This:

Those two little racks cleaned out sooo much space in the cabinets.  He is on a mission to do more.  Yippee!!!

We don't have the funds to redo the kitchen but we can make it more efficient, by golly by gosh...  

Maybe next I'll pretend to hire someone to paint the cabinets a different color.  *wink*

 

When Dad Won't Come to the Dinner Table

The Hubs was too busy in Game Land to come upstairs for dinner this weekend, so Veg and I decided to make a Pretend Dad to sit at the table with us while we eat.

I'm not sure if this is funny or sad, when looking back, but the kid and I did have a great time building this silly character.  We laughed all through dinner and beyond.

When Hubs finally came upstairs, he laughed too... Veg kept the face just in case, but I think my Dear Husband got the hint.  As we haven't needed the pretend guy since.  *wink*

 

 

Prepping Lunch for the Veg Husband

Came on to post this and saw all the Forks over Knives Facebook visitors..  Was awesome to read the comments and see how many people also let their children watch Forks Over Knives.  Welcome to Vegmom Moments if this is your first time here, feel free to say Hi in the comments or add to discussion.

Now for that post:

I tend to place pics of my Glass Bowl Tower lunches or Tiffin Lunches or more Tiffin Lunches and the Vegkid Laptop Lunches but I realized today that I have never (or don't think I have) posted the kind of food that Hubs packs for his lunch + daytime snacks.

So here is what he took with him today for snacks  (all organic of course):

Green Juice= Apple+Parsley+Celery

1/2 Avocado, Whole Peach, Strawberries & Grapes

And for his main lunch, Left over Brown Rice (gluten free) Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Veggies:

Don't worry he doesn't combine all the fruit with the pasta *I hear gasps from those that food combine*  but he munches his raw stash threw the day for breakfast and after lunch if snacks are needed.  Then chows the left overs or a sandwich at the lunch hour.

He also took a Vegan Choco Chip Cookie for his dessert which I didn't get a picture of.  I haven't talked him away from the cookies yet! *smile*  

Yes - He has a long day, hense all the food for one guy, and eats a little at each break.!  

But this is NOT the type of lunch you would have found him eating several years ago.  And that's what makes this post truly awesome.  Actually, I wouldn't have even mentioned on this blog the lunches he ate a few years ago.  

There was a time when the Hubs was eating a S.A.D diet, and very SAD it was.

A couple Kidney stones, some Gout Attacks, Chronic Sinus infections, Constant Bloody Noses, Stomach problems, a cough that wouldn't go away and one Xbox later... I now have a Veg Hubby!  (PS. the Xbox is another story)

Curious?  How many warning signs do we have to get from our bodies before we say "Wait a Minute, Maybe I should make a change?"

For my Husband, it was quite a few.  But now I get to call him a VegDad, and that makes me a very happy Vegmom!  

 

I'm Not Processed Part 2

Type.. Delete..Type... Delete... I've had a really hard time creating a post to explain our rules...  So I'll just stop trying to explain them! 

If you know us, that means you know we are just weird.   Going back to the "I'm not Processed remark" So many people don't like things, but don't change them.   They live in their box and that works for them. 

I'm not one of those people.  If I don't like something, it is up to me to change it.   If the thing I don't like is someone else's, then it is up to me to change how I handle it. 

If you don't know us, well, let me tell ya!  WE ARE WEIRD!  Fact is, we have silly rules.  Always have.    Simple as that, its how we cope!  Some of them have been broken (um, the one about never having kids.. whoops!)  and some have been changed, adjusted, deleted...

So in this "I'm Not Processed Post"  I mentioned new rules that came out of our trip.  And you would think that the rules have to do with Video Games.  But No!

I'm Not Processed

OK too funny not to post...

Hubby made a comment about the Mosquitos finding me...and I said:

"That's because I'm made of sugar and oh so sweet"

So he says:

"No, your not made of sugar...that's a processed food, your made of nectar"

Hahahaha... Think you have to know me to understand the humor, but that made my whole day....

Speaking of Hubby, we have some new "rules" in the house. Oh YES!

I decided (while spending my 20th anniversary alone on a screened in porch over looking the beach and a romantic sunset) that I create my own happiness.

You see, I was alone because he was in doors playing video games...while I unplugged from work and blogs and life for our vacation, he did not...and this was a turning point for me.

The way I see it, I have 3 Choices when considering my happiness...

1. Leave (not gonna)
2. Live as is (could do, but gets old)
3. Create change

Which, option do you think I'm going for? If you guessed #3, you are correct!

Because Hubby is right! I'm not processed, I'm not created by This machine of life and buying in to the boxed model of "that is all there is"...NO!!!

So there are some new rules around here...bet you wanna know what they are?

,,,,,,insert cliffhanger,,,,,, wink!

20 Years.. Goodness!

Stepping away from food and kid for a moment to chat about the thing called Wedded Bliss.. Or should I say, Wedded "Not always" Bliss!  I think the biggest mistake people make is thinking of the fairytale marriage.

The wedding, the riding off in to the sunset, the big rock on the finger to show friends, the mansion or the white picket fence.... Well let me tell ya...

I got married, drove off in a ford escort (that broke down) to a 1 bedroom $265 rent duplex, and was greeted by a Roach the size of my hand on the family room wall.... Paradise?  Not so much!

So why the reflecting???

A Camaro Adventure Day

This Morning, I woke up with the need for an Adventure Day.. Veg and I were going on an adventure.. Didn't know if Hubby was coming, but we were ready to do something fun!! 

What that was??? Well, I hadn't planned that far!

Soooo Then Hubby says "Where are you going?"

<Where ever the wind takes us>  Was my reply

"Well I don't like surprises"

<Then don't come...>  Ok yes,, I was a little crabby, hence the reason for adventure day!

"So where are you going"

<Don't know, haven't thought that far ahead... was thinking of renting you a Camaro and driving in to the mountains>

The hubs has wanted to drive a Camaro for as long as I can remember....  But he thought I was kidding!

I said nothing more... Packed up the cooler with Veggie snacks and some water..  A kid, My phone and Camera... and off to the car we went!!

Down comes Hubby "I Guess I'll Go"... Gee, don't sound so enthused!

30 minutes later we were pulling in to the Airport Parking Garage...  Hubby, not remembering the whole Camaro comment... says "What are we doing here?"

<Getting you a Camaro>

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!"

<YESSSS WAyyyyyyyyyyyyy"

Needless to say, Hubby had a very Nice Adventure day.. As did the rest of us.

We stopped for Veggie Lunch, munched on Veggie Snacks, drove through the mountains, stopped at some of my favorite stores along the way, played Miniature Golf and hopped in some go-karts.

And so it was a Camaro Adventure day.. sure, it was a total waste of money, but the look on Hubby's face was PRICELESS!!!

 

Young and in Love

I joke with Hubby when we are chatting... Starting a sentence with:

"When we were young and in love...."

But really I mean when we were adventurous with no responsibilities. The two of us taking on the world....

"Hey, ya wanna get married?". (sure)
"Let's drive and see where we end up.". (cool)
"you know we don't have any money?" (so)

There was a time before computers and gps and cell phones, when we drove 45 minutes just to find a Little Ceasers... When we flipped a coin in a car lot to decide which car we wanted....when we packed up the car and drove for 3 days, went out West, just because we wanted to...

Maybe I should say "When we were young and stupid". (except I dont like that word)

Sure, we have responsibilities now, house, kid, dog, jobs.... But sometimes you just gotta be young and stupid...(or young and in love) even when your not so young, or stupid, and love takes on a new meaning after 20 years of marriage..

Granted, now this requires planning, but sometimes ya just gotta say..

"What the ________". (fill in the g-rated blank)

Think I want to go somewhere this summer...so I think we will!!! *smile*

Anyone have ideas?

Husband Wife Differences

There are the obvious physical attributes that are different within my husband and myself.. also the emotional ones, and genetic, etc. 

But if you were to walk in my house, there are some very clear distinctions between when my Husband has done something and when I have done something..

Here are just a few examples:

When Hubby "Straightens" a room - the middle of the room looks clean, but the outskirts are filled with piles of stuff that came from the middle of the room.

When He goes grocery shopping, WITH  A LIST, I get called no less then 5 times...Hello, LOOK AT THE LIST...

When Hubby does laundry, he suddenly becomes color blind and everything goes in together.

When Hubby Vacuums, the middle of a room is very clean as he goes over the same spot multiple times... but he seems to forget that the external portion of a room also needs Vacuumed. 

However when He mows the yard, it is in straight perfect lines from the parameter to the inside.  (Maybe I should replace the Vacuum with the mower?)

When Hubby puts something away, it gets set on the nearest surface within walking distance of where he found it. 

When Hubby puts the dishes away, they find a different place EVERY TIME...Can someone please tell him that Forks have gone in the same spot for 20 years..

Hubby is good about taking out the trash.. FROM THE KITCHEN... the rest of the tiny cans around the house, magically get dumped in to the kitchen trash can, or else they will never find their way outside.

And when he comes home from work, the stuff comes out of his pockets and on to the kitchen counter... Because you never know when you'll need a measuring tape, belt, pencil, chalk line, screw driver, ear plugs, wallet, phone, or pen to make Pancakes!

Anyone else been there, or am I just overly picky that I notice these things?

 

Arguing...

How is it, you can be married for 20 years and still have the same argument just different topic?

At this point I might as well just argue with myself, It would be much more productive!