Monday, May 28, 2012
house photos
Memorial Day
Today is Memorial Day. My Memorial Day started at work with me making holiday pay! It had been busy at work, with the waiting room full and patients waiting even to be triaged (let alone to be put in a room). Unheard of in Longmont whose patients usually can walk into triage right away! After midnight--when holiday pay started--the waiting room, as well as the entire ER emptied out. I was allowed to catch up on my shows and take a 30 min nap. After 2.5 busy nights at work...it was a huge relief to my mind and back.
Jon woke me up at 2pm. We tried to get motivated to clean up since we were getting company. Jon vacuumed and I emptied out the dishwasher. We split up the chores before we were married. Jon vacuums, fills the dishwasher, washes, and dries the clothes. I empty the dishwasher, fold, and put away laundry. We both clean the bathroom and tile floors when they need it. So there is a small semblance of order in the Phillips' household, although it may not always appear like that!
While I was emptying the dishwasher, we decided we were hungry for queso to go with our taco chips. Making that took priority over me cleaning the stove. Instead I fried hamburger to put in the queso. Somedays I think that I am too concerned over my image and should rather focus on enjoying life. So today I did not push myself to clean the stove *and* make queso. It's okay for Mary to see my house in less then perfect condition. My body and mind thanks me, even now!
Carolyn arrived at our house sometime after 3pm. Jon had put the queso in the crockpot and I was trying to sweep the kitchen floor. I went down with Carolyn to the pool. It was crowded due to the holiday, but we happily discussed bridesmaid dresses.
We had almost given up on our other guests arriving, but around 4:30, Jon and Mary showed up. We moved indoors to enjoy queso, with chips, and veggies with dip. I ate too much of the appetizers and almost didn't have room for the main meal! However, we were greatly entertained by hearing about steam cars and *why* water boils sooner and higher altitude. This mostly came from Mr. Schrock. Ben and James also eventually showed up to aid the discussion and help the food disappear. I thought we had made a vast quantity of queso. But before the hotdogs and hamburgers were grilled, the queso was gone!
Eventually we all moved back to the pool. By that time, most of the holiday party-ers had moved elsewhere. Ben and my Jon discussed our house progress. Us girls sat on the edge of the pool and swam briefly, while talking about how to decorate our homes. Mary's Jon focused on building bridges on Ben's smart phone. Mary thought she may have to buy him a smart phone.
Finally Carolyn and I got cold and went up to take showers. Mary entertained the one who was not cleaning up. When we finally got back down to the Grand room (where we had eaten) the Jons were watching the Rockies. Go Rockies!
I have always enjoyed Memorial Day since being in Colorado. My group of friends has typically made an effort to do something together on Memorial Day, making it pleasant and memorable. Last year I walked the Bolder Boulder in a fairy outfit with wings. I was not dating, let alone married. I would say some significant changes have occurred in the last year! I have had some "growing up days" (roughly translated from a popular PA Dutch phrase that I will not attempt to spell).
I feel that I am able to discuss my life again after some months of not feeling that I had "words." Words to discuss how it felt to be married, words to describe new emotions, and new decisions. Being married is forcing me to learn to communicate on a whole new level. I am learning that holding things in or "bottling them up" does me damage and does not one any good. How many times I have heard that? Though up until now I have not really been forced to learn that on a practical level.
The different ways that men and women think has also been highlighted for me. Karen showed us a practical illustration of this using a file cabinet and spiderweb/labyrinth. The file cabinet depicted the way men usually make decisions. The information goes in and comes out neatly and packaged in pros and cons. The labyrinth on the other hand is the way many women--especially myself--think. The information goes in and around many unique twists and turns. In this lengthy process the woman looks at many different angles of the consequences of a decision and how it will affect her current situation, etc, etc. Hopefully during the process she has the words to describe some of her thoughts and can also come to a successful decision. I found myself frequently becoming locked up in the labyrinth and unable to describe my thoughts, being incredibly overwhelmed with the different facets of a decision and equally unable to describe my thoughts to anyone else. The moral of this story is that I do need to set aside time to process and hopefully I can learn to think with some of the benefits of the pros and cons system.
Jon woke me up at 2pm. We tried to get motivated to clean up since we were getting company. Jon vacuumed and I emptied out the dishwasher. We split up the chores before we were married. Jon vacuums, fills the dishwasher, washes, and dries the clothes. I empty the dishwasher, fold, and put away laundry. We both clean the bathroom and tile floors when they need it. So there is a small semblance of order in the Phillips' household, although it may not always appear like that!
While I was emptying the dishwasher, we decided we were hungry for queso to go with our taco chips. Making that took priority over me cleaning the stove. Instead I fried hamburger to put in the queso. Somedays I think that I am too concerned over my image and should rather focus on enjoying life. So today I did not push myself to clean the stove *and* make queso. It's okay for Mary to see my house in less then perfect condition. My body and mind thanks me, even now!
Carolyn arrived at our house sometime after 3pm. Jon had put the queso in the crockpot and I was trying to sweep the kitchen floor. I went down with Carolyn to the pool. It was crowded due to the holiday, but we happily discussed bridesmaid dresses.
We had almost given up on our other guests arriving, but around 4:30, Jon and Mary showed up. We moved indoors to enjoy queso, with chips, and veggies with dip. I ate too much of the appetizers and almost didn't have room for the main meal! However, we were greatly entertained by hearing about steam cars and *why* water boils sooner and higher altitude. This mostly came from Mr. Schrock. Ben and James also eventually showed up to aid the discussion and help the food disappear. I thought we had made a vast quantity of queso. But before the hotdogs and hamburgers were grilled, the queso was gone!
Eventually we all moved back to the pool. By that time, most of the holiday party-ers had moved elsewhere. Ben and my Jon discussed our house progress. Us girls sat on the edge of the pool and swam briefly, while talking about how to decorate our homes. Mary's Jon focused on building bridges on Ben's smart phone. Mary thought she may have to buy him a smart phone.
Finally Carolyn and I got cold and went up to take showers. Mary entertained the one who was not cleaning up. When we finally got back down to the Grand room (where we had eaten) the Jons were watching the Rockies. Go Rockies!
I have always enjoyed Memorial Day since being in Colorado. My group of friends has typically made an effort to do something together on Memorial Day, making it pleasant and memorable. Last year I walked the Bolder Boulder in a fairy outfit with wings. I was not dating, let alone married. I would say some significant changes have occurred in the last year! I have had some "growing up days" (roughly translated from a popular PA Dutch phrase that I will not attempt to spell).
I feel that I am able to discuss my life again after some months of not feeling that I had "words." Words to discuss how it felt to be married, words to describe new emotions, and new decisions. Being married is forcing me to learn to communicate on a whole new level. I am learning that holding things in or "bottling them up" does me damage and does not one any good. How many times I have heard that? Though up until now I have not really been forced to learn that on a practical level.
The different ways that men and women think has also been highlighted for me. Karen showed us a practical illustration of this using a file cabinet and spiderweb/labyrinth. The file cabinet depicted the way men usually make decisions. The information goes in and comes out neatly and packaged in pros and cons. The labyrinth on the other hand is the way many women--especially myself--think. The information goes in and around many unique twists and turns. In this lengthy process the woman looks at many different angles of the consequences of a decision and how it will affect her current situation, etc, etc. Hopefully during the process she has the words to describe some of her thoughts and can also come to a successful decision. I found myself frequently becoming locked up in the labyrinth and unable to describe my thoughts, being incredibly overwhelmed with the different facets of a decision and equally unable to describe my thoughts to anyone else. The moral of this story is that I do need to set aside time to process and hopefully I can learn to think with some of the benefits of the pros and cons system.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
being an adult
It always seemed so exciting to be an adult...having a job, having my own home, decorating it how I wanted...and of course having my own schedule. Well, I was reminded today how much responsibility comes with that excitement. Somehow the joy seems to disappear a little with the gamble that is called life. I wish that things were a little easier. That when it was time to make a decision--that a voice from above would tell me exactly what needed to do. Should I buy this house? What career path should I take? Should I buy this car now or wait til later?? The voice would thunder down with the exact decision that should be made.
Right now Jon and I are in the process of working with a loan officer for our house. We found out today that we had to put more money down (that will be refunded later). Well..... it would have been nice to know that a little earlier on this year before we made some of the financial decisions that we did. They weren't bad decisions...just ones that in hindsight we would have processed differently. We can't go back though, so now we continue on from here. I thought I knew a lot about being adult and being responsible...but I see now that I only have a limited perspective.
I was thinking too... that we don't have a lot of money and I wish we had more so we could do all the bells and whistles for the house and for our upcoming wedding. However, I found out recently that if you make more than 40 grand a year, you are in the top 1% wealthiest people in the world! I make more than that in a year. And still I think I need more??? I wonder what is wrong with my concept of wealth. What is really a necessity and what is merely a convenience. How should I then live??
Right now Jon and I are in the process of working with a loan officer for our house. We found out today that we had to put more money down (that will be refunded later). Well..... it would have been nice to know that a little earlier on this year before we made some of the financial decisions that we did. They weren't bad decisions...just ones that in hindsight we would have processed differently. We can't go back though, so now we continue on from here. I thought I knew a lot about being adult and being responsible...but I see now that I only have a limited perspective.
I was thinking too... that we don't have a lot of money and I wish we had more so we could do all the bells and whistles for the house and for our upcoming wedding. However, I found out recently that if you make more than 40 grand a year, you are in the top 1% wealthiest people in the world! I make more than that in a year. And still I think I need more??? I wonder what is wrong with my concept of wealth. What is really a necessity and what is merely a convenience. How should I then live??
Sunday, May 6, 2012
the day after
Today was a typical--first day after I get off of work--day. I slept at the wrong times and by evening felt energized and not at all tired!
I came home at 0727 and went straight to sleep. I slept until 1204 when Jon woke me up with eggs scrambled with turkey and toast (am I spoiled or what?) After discussing my night at work and the plan for the day, I went for my haircut at 1245. My hairdresser, Tammy, was chatty as usual. I learned that she scrubs tablecloths at her other job. Her sister and brother-in-law run a rental company for any type of affair. Their catch phrase is, "Are you having an affair?" Not something that I would put as my slogan but definitely one that I won't forget. Jon and I may need to rent tables and tablecloths for the wedding. Tammy instructed me not to get white tablecloths since pasta sauce is very difficult to remove later--and it is her job to scrub them. Ok. Hint taken.
But anyway, back to the rest of my day. Came home and was particularly unmotivated. Couldn't think of anything that was necessary besides going back to bed. Jon unfortunately was hungry and had pizza on his mind. He found a great deal with Pizza Hut and called them asap. He tried to convince me to go with him. I, however, found the bed calling my name very loudly and was dreaming before he left to pick up the pizza.
When he came back, I opened my eyes briefly to take some sips of cherry limeade (from Sonic--where else?) and eat a piece of pizza and a couple cinnamon sticks dipped in icing. After awhile Jon succumbed to peer pressure and came to take a nap too. When we woke up it was after 1900 (7pm). We watched the end of the Rockies game. Carolyn and Kathy, who went to the game, reported they were almost hit by a home run! The game got rained out for about 20 minutes. We hoped in vain that the break would invigorate the Rockies to win, but alas. It was a 4 point loss.
By the time the game finally finished up it was long after 2200 (10pm). Both of us are now solidly awake. The nap and the lounging time made us feel energized and ready to start our day. Jon booked a hotel for us to stay in (on our roadtrip to MN) and printed off directions. I folded laundry, emptied the dishwasher, and generally cleaned up the kitchen.
Still awake and it is now a little after midnight. I fix lunch for tomorrow--I mean today--curried chicken. Then I think that breakfast is coming soon. I ask Jon what he wants to eat. Biscuits and gravy. I groan because my sausage gravy is not my forte. Jon volunteers that I could walk to Safeway and buy the prepacked gravy. Of course, this goes against my need to make things myself vs. out of the package. I found a recipe for sausage gravy online that looks do-able and start working on that. From his playing on the computer, Jon offers that I could make the biscuits tonight as well, so that I would have less to do in the morning. "We can heat up the biscuits in the morning." Beings that I had energy and knew I wouldn't in the morning--I take the advice and make biscuits. Don't get too excited. These are bisquick biscuits and not from scratch. Still I give myself credit myself for having made a great sausage gravy from scratch. Five points for Cook Phillips.
I would post a picture of how great the biscuits and gravy turned out, but that would mean getting up from my comfy green chair. I am cycling back to being tired. Hopefully we will both get some sleep before church tomorrow.
I came home at 0727 and went straight to sleep. I slept until 1204 when Jon woke me up with eggs scrambled with turkey and toast (am I spoiled or what?) After discussing my night at work and the plan for the day, I went for my haircut at 1245. My hairdresser, Tammy, was chatty as usual. I learned that she scrubs tablecloths at her other job. Her sister and brother-in-law run a rental company for any type of affair. Their catch phrase is, "Are you having an affair?" Not something that I would put as my slogan but definitely one that I won't forget. Jon and I may need to rent tables and tablecloths for the wedding. Tammy instructed me not to get white tablecloths since pasta sauce is very difficult to remove later--and it is her job to scrub them. Ok. Hint taken.
But anyway, back to the rest of my day. Came home and was particularly unmotivated. Couldn't think of anything that was necessary besides going back to bed. Jon unfortunately was hungry and had pizza on his mind. He found a great deal with Pizza Hut and called them asap. He tried to convince me to go with him. I, however, found the bed calling my name very loudly and was dreaming before he left to pick up the pizza.
When he came back, I opened my eyes briefly to take some sips of cherry limeade (from Sonic--where else?) and eat a piece of pizza and a couple cinnamon sticks dipped in icing. After awhile Jon succumbed to peer pressure and came to take a nap too. When we woke up it was after 1900 (7pm). We watched the end of the Rockies game. Carolyn and Kathy, who went to the game, reported they were almost hit by a home run! The game got rained out for about 20 minutes. We hoped in vain that the break would invigorate the Rockies to win, but alas. It was a 4 point loss.
By the time the game finally finished up it was long after 2200 (10pm). Both of us are now solidly awake. The nap and the lounging time made us feel energized and ready to start our day. Jon booked a hotel for us to stay in (on our roadtrip to MN) and printed off directions. I folded laundry, emptied the dishwasher, and generally cleaned up the kitchen.
Still awake and it is now a little after midnight. I fix lunch for tomorrow--I mean today--curried chicken. Then I think that breakfast is coming soon. I ask Jon what he wants to eat. Biscuits and gravy. I groan because my sausage gravy is not my forte. Jon volunteers that I could walk to Safeway and buy the prepacked gravy. Of course, this goes against my need to make things myself vs. out of the package. I found a recipe for sausage gravy online that looks do-able and start working on that. From his playing on the computer, Jon offers that I could make the biscuits tonight as well, so that I would have less to do in the morning. "We can heat up the biscuits in the morning." Beings that I had energy and knew I wouldn't in the morning--I take the advice and make biscuits. Don't get too excited. These are bisquick biscuits and not from scratch. Still I give myself credit myself for having made a great sausage gravy from scratch. Five points for Cook Phillips.
I would post a picture of how great the biscuits and gravy turned out, but that would mean getting up from my comfy green chair. I am cycling back to being tired. Hopefully we will both get some sleep before church tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
USDA funding and wedding invitations!
Yesterday we found out that we could receive a USDA loan for the house we are building. Yup! That's how far out in the country we are going to be! Just call us "hillbillies!" The monthly mortgage payments will be significantly less then what we would be paying in rent for something similar here in Loveland. The other lender we had looked at using really dropped the ball on getting us quotes for a monthly payment (it took him over a month to even hear from him--and that was only because three people were hounding him). It was a huge relief to have Annie give us a quote in 30 minutes. Another fine example of what I call *service.*
Today we did errands. Two cake tastings and a meeting with a caterer. Is that why I feel slightly ill? I don't remember the last time I tried so many different types of cakes, icings, and truffles. The first cake price seemed reasonable, but then the second price beat it by a $100. Yes, I am tightwad and I have many options for other uses besides a wedding cake (furniture or decor for our new house, fun things for the wedding, or a special date night).
The caterer was surprisingly cheap. I have been blessed by the many people who have understood our need to stay inside a budget *and* been willing to work with us. Holly and her husband run the business so they are flexible. We are thinking of doing some type of pasta, chicken, and salad. Probably the least expensive on the budget. I think it would be nice if we would not have to scurry around at the last minute (or have our families scurry around), but rather be able to enjoy our guests!
After we came home we attacked the invitations. We found invitations and RSVP cards, with envelopes on 50% off at Hobby Lobby. The trick was getting the printer to cooperate with us and stop eating the smaller cards. Jon was able to space the wording so that it came out at the right place on the cards. I typed them up, but was more then happy to let him maneuver the logistics of it all.
Jon with the finished RSVP cards!
The mess of invitations on the table prior to printing them.
Now I am making fried chicken for supper. It has been over a year since I made it. I hope them turn out tasty!
We are going to pick up photos for the invitations after supper and then they will be ready to mail!!! I can't wait.
Today we did errands. Two cake tastings and a meeting with a caterer. Is that why I feel slightly ill? I don't remember the last time I tried so many different types of cakes, icings, and truffles. The first cake price seemed reasonable, but then the second price beat it by a $100. Yes, I am tightwad and I have many options for other uses besides a wedding cake (furniture or decor for our new house, fun things for the wedding, or a special date night).
The caterer was surprisingly cheap. I have been blessed by the many people who have understood our need to stay inside a budget *and* been willing to work with us. Holly and her husband run the business so they are flexible. We are thinking of doing some type of pasta, chicken, and salad. Probably the least expensive on the budget. I think it would be nice if we would not have to scurry around at the last minute (or have our families scurry around), but rather be able to enjoy our guests!
After we came home we attacked the invitations. We found invitations and RSVP cards, with envelopes on 50% off at Hobby Lobby. The trick was getting the printer to cooperate with us and stop eating the smaller cards. Jon was able to space the wording so that it came out at the right place on the cards. I typed them up, but was more then happy to let him maneuver the logistics of it all.
Jon with the finished RSVP cards!
The mess of invitations on the table prior to printing them.
Now I am making fried chicken for supper. It has been over a year since I made it. I hope them turn out tasty!
We are going to pick up photos for the invitations after supper and then they will be ready to mail!!! I can't wait.
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