Sweeping Through Life

This  past weekend my husband and I attend our church's couples retreat. Even though he is not a member there (yet) when he has gone to church he always attended there. I must say that I really enjoyed the retreat and the time that we had together alone. We were are able to connect with each over through conversations with other couple of all different years as well reconnect with each other. It was nice to hear that other couples have struggles and obtain feedback on what worked for them and may some of it will work for us. There are 3 things that I learned from this weekend, listen, pray and love. Listen. I think that I have always listen to my husband, but I do not think that I have listen to the point that I have processed what I was hearing to respond appropriately. The couples there who has 20, 30 one that had 50 all said that you have to learn to listen to your spouse and that listening is just not hearing what they said but it also includes knowing their body language ...

Today is my 4th wedding anniversary. It is a time to reflect on what has happened and what it yet to come. I love my hubby and look forward to many more years together. As part of my reflection on one of the happiest days of my life here is a photo montage of my wedding pictures. Enjoy!!!

"Grow old along with me the best is yet to come." -Robert Browning (quote) I wish Mr. J a happy birthday with many more to come.

On Friday ,  I  spent my day off, since it was Veteran's Day,  by going to the dentist, going to the OBGYN and looking at fabric for the baby's room with my mom. When I was out with my mom I found some good deals at Jo-Ann Fabric and Once Upon A Child. After having dinner with my mom, I went and visited with my friend Bev and Alena and met Alena's new baby Taylor. She was really cute and can sleep through anything. Before I got to sleepy, I headed home to bed. Saturday ,  attended my sorority chapter meeting and then went to church to have usher practice with my youth ushers. After all of my morning  meetings, I went to Babies R Us and started my baby registry. It was totally overwhelming and I do not think I scanned everything that I might need or want. I still need to research baby monitors and breast pumps. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. I came home was tired from the busy day, and made me a sandwich with some chips and plopped on the couch in ti...

On Friday ,  went line dancing class and came home and relaxed. Saturday ,  went to a birthday party for my friend Rachel's son Everett. He turned one. He was so cute. It was fun watching all the kids playing at the party. It was nice that during the party that the "big kids" were allowed to watch the Ohio State game. Go Bucks!!!! After the party,  made a trip to Sam's Club and then went meet my friend Bev. We went to El Vaquero to eat, my favorite Mexican restaurant, and Burlington to do one of my baby registries. It was really overwhelming looking at all of the baby stuff. What to get and what not to get. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, I need to do a registry at a couple of other stores. Sunday , went to church as usual. Then spent the rest of the afternoon gathering furniture, including a crib from various people to start to get the baby's room together. Even though I was not doing a lot of the moving, I was still tired from the days event...

I have been watching the show, Sister Wives for the past year and recently saw a show on polygamy on Our America with Lisa Ling. I really found these shows interesting and liked hearing their lives, since it is so different than mine. In watching the shows, I can only think...there is no way that I could live that lifestyle. I am not condemning how they chose to live their lives, but I can not see myself sharing my husband knowingly with another woman or two or three. I was amazed, from what I saw, how loving the these relationships were between each of the wives with the husband and with each other. The honest portrayal of these relationships, showing all the different aspects including the ups and downs, is appreciated.  I guess that whatever type of relationship that you are in, they have their ups and downs and they are different from one another. I know for myself, that my marriage is only for myself and my husband and no one else. Could you be in a polygamist marriage? What...

On Friday , I got off work and went and visited my little cousin Jisiah. He is so cute and I enjoyed my visited with him. After my visit I went home and quickly packed and hit the road to my sorority meeting. It was the first time that I stayed out in a hotel by myself out of town, and I must say that I do not liked it. Luckily if anything happened my husbands family was near by. . Saturday , I woke up earlier to get to my area meeting for my sorority were I was going to be presenting on our AIDS/HIV initiative. It was nice to see all of my sorority sisters for near and far and I really obtained some important information. After the meeting I went and visited with my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law before I got back on the road home. I got home in good time and was able to spend some time with the hubby before falling asleep on the couch. Sunday , started out as usual with attending church. After church, I went and did some grocery shopping. Once home I prepared Sunday dinner and al...

Since becoming pregnant, I have realized that there are something that I have had to modify doing around the house or need total assistance with completing. It kinda sucks that I need help with so many things. I have always been very independent so it is hard to give up some control. Everyone keeps stating that I need to enjoy it, but it is kinda hard when you want to get things done. I started  a few weeks ago sending text   or leaving notes for the hubby asking for things that I need him to do such as taking the laundry basket down to the basement for me or making sure that all his dishes are in the sink for me to wash at once so that I can get some housework done when I come home from work so that house does not look like a total wreck and still be able to rest a little. Each day he is doing a little bit more and more with assisting me without all of the text and notes, which is a good thing. Not to say he does not help around the house, but he is just helping me a lit...

How important is conversation to you? Since my husband and I work different shifts, conversation is a very important. We tend to talk several times throughout the day, especially on our lunch breaks. It keeps us apart of each others day, until we have time together on weekends. The other night was a little different.  My husband came home from work and realized that I was awake, he began to talk to me.  We talked about how his day at work, my day at work, silly things on TV etc, etc, etc. Before we knew it was 1:00am. What was I was thinking? I have to be at work at 8:00 am (like I really make it there at that time, ha), but it was worth it. I really do not think that I just enjoyed the conversation, but I enjoyed the connection I felt with my husband. The connection is what I think mattered the most and I look forward to having many more moments like that in the years to come.

Do sometimes the little things annoy you? I am sure there are somethings that I do that totally annoy my husband. I just wanted to take this time to say......." I am totally annoyed with the hole in the upstairs hallway." We have had a hole in upstairs hallway for about a year or so. It has been there for so long I can not remember how it got there.  The subject has been brought up weekly about fixing the hole. Every time I say something or ask what the hubby what he needs to fix I get the response of , "You can do it. I can tell you how."  or I get this long list of items that I have not heard of to pick up from the hardware store.  I have to look at the hole every time that I leave our bedroom and I am sick of it. If the expectation is for me to clean the dishes every night, then my expectation is for the hubby to fix the things around the house. Hopefully, my annoyance will be over this weekend when we work on fixing the hole together . Thanks for letting me ve...

According to the Urban Dictionary , bromance is a close relationship between to straight males. This subject came to mind after spending time with my husband while he was recuperating from his illness. I realized that he was on the phone quite often.  First I thought that he was talking to his mom, since I know she calls during the day. After awhile I realized that the he was speaking to his best friend. 10:00am, 1:00pm and sometimes in the evening he was on the phone. It seemed like they had a schedule going on, which I thought was strange. When I began to listen to the conversations, they really were not talking about anything important, but were talking about what some of things their friends had done, what they were watching on TV and what they had did that day.  Then I began to get annoyed, since I was thinking that  I was in the house and he could just talk to me. I just assumed that since my hubby and I work different schedules, they have been doing this ...

I know that I have talked about this before, but I was there a line of fine print that I missed when I applied for my marriage license that stated that " Once married that after the 2 year anniversary that you must have a baby." Did anyone have that listed on their marriage license application? I must have skimmed over it. It is not bad enough that people that I do not normally share my personal life with are asking me, but now there are people asking my husband at his place of employment and giving him advice. Wow. I just wanted to share some of the advice that he was given..... " You should have sex everyday." "Tell her to lay on her side for about 20 minutes before moving." When my husband came and told me this, I first asked, "What and the hell are saying to people at work?". He said nothing and that people just assumed that we were trying to have a family since we have hit the 2 year mark in our marriage and offered their experiences and...

My grocery shopping trip this past weekend, I was able to save 50% off of my bill with my coupons and store card. I did notice that I watched the cashier a little more closely to ensure that all dicounts were given. Each trip I get better and better. I believe that I had a coupon for every item that I purchased except for the fresh fruits and veggies. After last weeks shopping trip, my husband asked me," Are you bringing any more food home? Our freezers are full." I said "Good. We do not have to purchase any meat for a few months." While he was stating that, I was  thinking that we have another freezer in the garage that is not full if I need the additional space. I know when watching the couponing shows, they have their stockpiles all over the house, but I am not going to let mine get that way. I have a few shelves in the basement for my items. I know saving money is great, but you need to modify your purchases for what space that you have for your home. I contin...

Friday Went to line dancing class after work and worked up a good sweat. Stopped by my friend, Kim's house and talked to her for a few before heading home. Once I was home, I enjoyed a long hot shower and watched some TV before passing out. Saturday Got up and did some house cleaning, before going to work for a few hours. After work I did some grocery shopping, with my coupons of course, with my mom. After all that I guess I felt that I had not done enough already, I ended up helping the hubby in the garden and cutting the grass in the backyard. When I was done with all that, I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was take a shower and have some pizza. After eating and before going to sleep, I did catch some of the season finale of Saturday Night Live, and had a good laugh with Justin Timberlake. If you did not see this skit, check it out. Sunday Woke up not feeling very well, so I ended up staying home from church. After laying down for a while, I did some laundry (I...

Last week, I had the day from hell. I am not sure if I was just PMS or it was the fact that it seemed like everyone on my caseload on work had an issue and the topper was when I went to my scheduled hair appointment, my hair stylist was not there and was not coming in due to being out of town. Ugh. When the hubby called on his lunch break, I do not think that he got a word in besides, "Hello", since I began to vomit all over him about my day. He allowed me to vent about the day and  my world. As I continued to talk, I finally said, "Are you listening to me?" "Yes." " Well, why did you say in anything?" "You know Dana, I just wanted to let you get it off your chest. That's life. Everything will work out. Everything will be OK. Tomorrow will be better." I was silent. He was right. What was me being all worked up about it now going to do. I just sat there with the phone in my hand. "Are you there?" "Yes"...

Friday Work, work, work. After work I went to line dancing class. As if I was not tired enough, I was even more tired after class. It was a good tired and I needed a workout.  Went home and had a Stouffers pizza while I watched Say Yes to the Dress. I had to make myself go to bed, since I had an early morning on Saturday. Saturday Got up way to early for a Saturday and volunteered  with friends and sorority sisters at the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure. It is a lovely sight to see the sea of PINK   banning together for a cause. I look forward to it every year, even though I have to get up so early. As if getting up early, I was helping host my cousin Nicole's baby shower on Saturday evening, Let's just say that I must be a glutton for punishment. It was a nice shower, except for a few minor issues. She really enjoyed herself and her and her husband are pretty much set for their little bundle to arrive in July. Finally, got to go home and watch some mindless TV ...

Friday Worked a half a day and went to go see the Madea's Big Happy Family. Love going to matinees, less people and cheaper tickets. The movie was funny and I really enjoyed it. After seeing a matinee, I went to MoMo's to sing a little karaoke. I think that my favorite karaoke songs, I sung were Purple Rain, Smells Like Teen Spirit and Billie Jean. Can not wait to do karaoke again. Saturday Went and had a pedicure and my eyebrows arched. Came home and relaxed on the couch and watch some TV. Ended up going to the store with my mom to look for some Easter candy. We went to Target and Toys R Us and they were all sold out of candy. Since when does Easter candy sell out? We found a few things, good ole Target and headed home. We came home and I made tacos for my hubby and mom. My mom and I watch the Ten Commandments, as I sat there and made my critics review of the acting and attire of the film. I should give them the classic a little slack it was made in 1956. Sunday ...

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, A church filled with family and friends. I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for, He said one that would make me his wife. ~Author Unknown Happy Anniversary to my husband of 2 years. I thank you for loving me and being my friend. I look foward to spending the next 50 plus years with you.

As I get ready to celebrate my second  wedding anniversary next week, I thought about how did I know that Mr. J was " the one"? No, it was not the fact that we dated for almost a half century. No, it was not the fact that was lived together for several years before we got married. I knew that he was the one when: He continued to put up with my crap. He was supportive when my grandfather died. He took over most of the finances without expectation of it when I got laid off my job. He took me around his family for holidays. He listened to me complain about my clients at work. Helped me take my micro-braids out. He made me laugh when I had to have dental surgery. He made ice packs for my arthritic knees. When he stated the he would do anything for my mom. Went and got me chicken and noodles from Bob Evans when I was sick. Listened to me whine when I did not want to do something. Continues to go to my favorite Mexican restaurant even when he wants to eat some where els...

Friday I took a "mental health day" from work and spent the whole day just chilling at home with the hubby. We watched lots of great TV and just vegged out on the couch. I made some yummy low fat cupcakes (will share the recipe before the end of the week). It was nice just to relax and not have to do anything. Saturday Did more of the same from Friday on Saturday morning. Attended a  Greek step-show with the hubby and some friends.It was held in the newly rebuild The Ohio State University Union . It was so nice and the building is alot nicer that when I was attending there. While at the show, I got the yummiest Brown Cow ( diet coke and vanilla ice cream) at Sloopy's . It was fun and I had a really enjoyable evening. After the show, I went home  and put my collard greens in the crock pot to cook all night for Sunday dinner and  then allowed the TV to watch me as I fell asleep. Sunday Had a good church service, after I locked my keys and purse in my car in the ...