Love Like This Life

Homemade iPad Cases

2012-02-12T20:15:00.000-05:00

We got iPads! I'm really excited to use mine to get a lot of "work" done. It was so funny to see Dana get determined to get them then go pick them up first chance she got.

Now that we have them we have to protect them. The cases at Target seemed overpriced. Amazon Prime has us spoiled. Since it's the weekend there is no overnight shipping.

My crafty buddy Jason was over yesterday and my mind started racing to homemade iPad cases. It turned out great.

Mine is a long-term fix. I saw folio style iPad cases online. He and I scavenged through the cabinets for our materials. We used:
An old 3-ring binder
Athletic tape
Elastic band
Lock-tite
Paper cutter

Jason cut the plastic around the cardboard in the binder. He sized the iPad to the pieces and scored them on the paper cutter. He scored and cut one piece to height. He then scored the side to wrap around the iPad. He cut and scored the other piece the same. He then cut the extra off the end. He used athletic tape to bind the edges and folds on the sides. He glued elastic bands to hold the iPad in place and across the front to hold the flap.

We made another case from bubble wrap for Dana's until she gets a long-term case. It was really simple. He cut the wrap to the height of the iPad and a little more than enough to go around the iPad. He taped the side and bottom with bubbles out then turned it inside out like a pillow case and taped the edges too. The bubbles were on the inside now. He taped a seam in the middle that was perforated. It actually made a nice style element.

We're looking forward to using our new homemade iPad cases.

Open Doors for Ministry Together

2012-02-07T13:17:00.002-05:00

Tonight is the culmination of a year of really significant growth and prayers. We host our first small group. While Dana and I have both filled ministry roles in our lives, we are seeing God use us in ministry together.

About a year ago our pastor and another pastor from our church each prayed specifically that God would use us to do His work together. At a men's getaway I shared with one of our pastors the struggle we were having with my disability being in the way of our doing greater things in our marriage. He prayed for Dana to see her role and for me to be a stronger and better husband.

We have seen these prayers answered as you have responded to our story and as our church has asked more of us in our ministry. We do not feel qualified to be given such responsibilities. We do not consider ourselves significant. But we are stepping out to share our story.

Dana has worked very hard at this. She is spear heading so many of these initiatives. As you all read, post, and reach out to us you are confirming these steps of faith. Your response makes it worthwhile. I'm so proud of her and grateful for you all. We are seeing wonderful things as we grow I to doing ministry together.

Freezer February: An Introduction

2012-02-05T21:08:00.000-05:00

I'm going to be doing a little series here on the blog for the month, called "Freezer February."

The goal: Spend as little as possible on groceries this month, and eat as much stuff out of our freezer/pantry/fridge to clean it out.

We not only have the freezer over our fridge, but we also have a small standing freezer, so we have plenty to choose from. This goal originally popped in my mind because I was pinching pennies in order to save for us to buy two iPads. Thanks to our tax refund, coming soon, we now have enough to buy the iPads, so our next goal is to save up $1000 for our emergency fund, then we will get back on track on paying down debt.

I know it seems like we have out-of-whack priorities buying iPads first, THEN paying down debt, but look, it's our money, they're our priorities, so whatever. Ahem. Getting off my own back now...

Anyway -- I'm going to be sharing with y'all periodically here on the blog, as a way of keeping myself accountable.

So today, I'm going to show you our grocery spending for the week.

I actually went to three different stores today. Wasn't planned. The first stop (Safeway) was just a quick stop after church because we needed milk. I made an impulse buy of Oreos and some potato salad to have with our Superbowl dinner tonight.

I spent $11.76 at Safeway. I do not like that store, but whatever, it's on the way home from church. BTW, I had already busted into the Oreos and the milk by the time this photograph was taken. :)

Tonight, during the Super Bowl, I made a quick trip to Harris Teeter for just a couple of things they had on sale this week. Ice cream, Diet Coke and Coke and some blueberries. The ice cream and Coke products were both buy 2, get 3 free, and the blueberries were buy 1, get 1 free. I spent $29.88 there, and saved $41.23.

I also made a quick trip to Target with some coupons in hand for the items you see above. I got some cat food, some yogurt and some mac n' cheese. I spent $5.49, and saved $6.55.

So, for the week, I have spent $47.13. Not bad at all, considering our weekly food/household budget is $100!

Now, for what we've been eating - I will do a couple posts a week to let you guys see what we're coming up with out of the freezer, but so far, we're doing pretty good!

The other day, I made this meal for my family while they were visiting:

Ragin' Cajun Penne Pasta with Chicken and Shrimp and scallions, homemade bread (YUM) and salad with yellow peppers and strawberries.

Last night I cooked some steak and onions in the skillet, topped with a little bit of homemade guacamole, some snap peas out of the freezer, one of those Knorr alfredo noodle packet things, and some of the above mentioned homemade bread.

Tonight, we are having some chicken wings out of the freezer, cooked with BBQ and jerk sauce, some fresh veggies with ranch dressing, and I rolled up some pepperoni and mozzarella cheese in some crescent rolls I had in the fridge. (I got that idea from Pinterest!)

My couponing trip is making for a really late dinner tonight, but that's okay - no one is starving around here!

Let me know if you want to join me in being a cheapskate this February!!

My Soldier Is Home

2012-02-05T08:04:00.001-05:00

My Soldier is home.

And now, my mother can sleep.

After a year of anxiety for every car that drove down her street.

And a year of deep breaths before every phone call she answered.

My little brother is home. Safe.

It was like a family relay race getting up to Fort Drum, NY to welcome him home. My mom and stepdad drove from North Carolina, to my sister's house in Virginia, with Chris's truck. Then my sister drove with them up to our place, just outside of DC. They stayed the night here, then the next morning, I drove, and we all made our way to upstate New York. (a jack knifed tractor trailer at 5:15 in the morning led to a GPS nightmare that sent us to Syracuse two separate ways, but that's beside the point)

We got to our hotel room, free thanks to my Hilton Honors points (yay), and started piling in there like the ghetto fabulous family that we are. Roll away bed, and all.

We took our turns getting ready, then gassed Chris's truck up, and got some dinner near the base.

It was FREEZING there, and I think it was actually considered unseasonably warm!

We made it to McGrath Gym, where the Homecoming Ceremony was scheduled to begin, about an hour early. My sister and I hung the awesome banner she had made for him that we held in the Norfolk Airport when he came home for leave in October.

I had to get a little creative because we were originally planning to HOLD the sign, but we saw an opportunity to hang it, and realized that we would both be double fisting cameras and video cameras. I knew my husband would be proud that I came up with a creative solution for rigging up the sign...

Yes, those are the usb cords from my sister's camera bag. They worked. Some rednecks thought it would be a good idea to sit in front of our sign. Tracy and I regulated, and moved the sign right to the middle of the bleachers. Which worked, because when Chris marched in, he said he saw the sign first thing!

We couldn't find Chris at all! Tracy and I were both scanning the crowd with our cameras zoomed all the way in. The ceremony was short and to the point. I tried to take it all in, knowing this was it. Chris is home, for good. He has DONE THIS. We are such a proud family!

The Army band played a few songs, an announcer talked about the Brigade's accomplishments, and how this was the first group to come home, then allowed the soldiers to be at ease, so they could give their families a hand.

Which we happily accepted. Because this is not easy. It is not easy to watch someone you love walk down an airport hallway, knowing in a matter of hours, they will be in the heart of danger. That yes, they are volunteers, yes they are well trained, yes they are surrounded by their Army brothers and all of them have the pledge and honor of never leaving anyone behind. But that's still your son. That's still your little brother. And no matter how big their muscles have gotten, and no matter how much camo they are wearing, there's still a part of you that sees them as a laughing, giggling, chubby cheeked little boy. There's a part of you that thinks of that little boy first thing in the morning, and last thing at night, and your prayer life grows to a place it has never been before, because of the worrying, and the wondering where they are and if they are okay.

None of us recognized Chris until the ceremony was over, and the guys were released to their families. I took my mom's hand, and said, "Let's go!" and we made our way to the bleachers. There was a sea of soldiers reuniting with their families. Sons and moms and dads. Soldiers hugging their small children and their wives and girlfriends. Then, I saw my soldier. He was walking toward us. He had taken his hat off and had it in his hands. "There he is!" I led my mom around another reunion, and had my iPhone ready to record the second she saw her baby.

Of course she got the first hug. She deserved it. And though this 30 year old SGT would probably never admit it, he wanted to hug her too, like nobody's business.

We all had our hugs, and squeezes and pictures with our soldier.

Chris was exhausted. He had been in like 5 countries and 2 states, in one day!
We decided to just head back to our hotel room, all together, and we just laughed and talked and caught up. It was a really special time, and I may or may not have been the only sensitive sap to cry!

We watched a local TV news report my friend posted to my Facebook page, that you can see three short glimpses of us in!

Then, we settled in, all 5 of us in 3 beds for a short night of sleep. Then, as early as we could in the morning, we took some more pictures of our soldier home on American soil, and started the long trek back to Virginia/North Carolina.

Chris will be "home" in Virginia in a few more months. And you better believe, we will be putting that "Welcome Home Chris" banner to use one more time!

Let me tell you a couple more things. Chris didn't even want us to take any pictures and post them on Facebook or where ever because he is the first of his guys to come home, and he's not really ready to celebrate until they are ALL home. So, know that all of this is from ME, not from him, okay? We are still praying for each and every one of the members of the 3rd Platoon, as they wrap up their missions in Afghanistan and all come home in waves. They should all be back to Ft. Drum by the middle of March.

Another thing that I also have to note. This sign in the gym was a huge reminder to me that not every soldier comes home like my soldier got to come home. Standing. Safe. In one piece.

One soldier in particular, Derek McConnell, still isn't all the way home. He is still fighting, in his recovery in the hospital at Walter Reed. I have had the honor and privilege of getting to know this soldier and his family, and I couldn't stop thinking of them as we were enjoying Chris's homecoming at Ft. Drum. Because his family didn't get to stand in the stands and wave a flag, and find their soldier in the sea of camo in the gym. Derek was seriously wounded. He has come a long way in his recovery, thanks to amazing battle buddies, an incredible medical team and a loving family, but he isn't done climbing to glory yet. Derek - I want you to know that Chris and all those guys have literally carried you everywhere with them since you left Afghanistan. They carry you in their hearts, and since we sent them that flag that you autographed, they have carried that with them every time they have gone out to work.

I dedicate this blog post to Team Derek. Climb to glory. All the way! To the top! Team Derek, I brought back a little something from Fort Drum for y'all, and I will see you soon!

Life Lately

2012-02-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

Life has been busy, and I have been out of pocket for a few days, so just now, I went through my photos on my computer, to remember what has been going on in my life lately. This is how I remember things, because otherwise, the days just swallow themselves up, and life zooms by.

By looking back at my photos, I can remember things I wanted to show/tell you.

Like this blind guy I saw on the metro, hitting on a tall, skinny, blonde girl. I was so intrigued, I muted my iPod and listened in. He was pretty smooth, and for the record - he DID end up getting this girl's e-mail address. I thought it was interesting that even a BLIND guy went right for a tall, skinny blonde. My sister said they (men) can probably smell hotness. Great.

I finished the change over from our old office into a full-on guest room. Ignore the blue tape still on the ceiling in this picture. I really need to put "take pics of new stuff around apartment" on my to do list, because I keep forgetting to do this! We are really happy with the room makeover. There is SO MUCH more space and less clutter in there now, and I actually like being in there now!

After taking a few months off because of traveling so much for work, I am now fully back on the couponing train. I'm trying Coupon Mom's strategy this go-around, which means you don't clip the coupons right away, you save the entire insert. Still feels weird to me, because I kind of like knowing exactly which coupons I have, and I kind of felt like clipping and then organizing them into my coupon wallet kind of drilled into my brain what I had. But this method allegedly saves a lot of time. So, I'm trying it.

I made another new friend! I met for dinner at the Front Page recently with Karen. Karen's husband Jim is also a quadriplegic, and we seem to have lots and lots in common. They don't live too far away from us, so Michael and I are looking forward to connecting with them again, soon.

I covered an event with the First Lady in DC. She was announcing proposed changes to the FMLA to help military family members and caregivers.

But my favorite thing about that day was seeing these people:

That is one of my favorite Wounded Warriors, Derek McConnell, his fiance, Krystina, his mom Siobhan, and Jessica Allen. I admire all four of these people so much!

I think that does it for now. Standby for a super sappy post about my little brother coming home from Afghanistan. :)

Husband Makes Dinner, House Still Standing

2012-01-30T19:19:00.000-05:00

Baked pork chop, Zataran's jambalaya mix, and steamed stir fry veggies

Tonight I cooked dinner because Dana was a little overwhelmed. She said, "mmmm, it smells good in here," as she walked through the door. It feels good to save her that half hour or so and start the night off right.

Okay, to the menu:

Two pork chops drizzled with Italian dressing and baked
Zataran's jambalaya mix (no meat added)
Stir fry veggie mix steamed in the microwave and seasoned with garlic salt and fake butter
Tortillas with apple butter baked (for dessert)

Sign Up for E-Mail Updates

2012-01-29T20:07:00.000-05:00

Dearest Blog Readers,
We hope you know how much you mean to us! There are some exciting things going on in our lives right now, specifically related to this little blog. We are working on building an e-mail address so we can send out monthly newsletters, and big announcements - like when our eBook is finished! And, we hope to do some pretty cool give-aways soon. So, please share your e-mail address with us.
A couple of promises:
-We PROMISE to not give your e-mail address to anyone else
-We PROMISE to not e-mail you more than once a month
-We PROMISE not to send you any spam. Ever.

Just to be clear - this is not where you sign up to receive an e-mail to let you know when there is a new blog post. You can sign up for that if you want, over on the right hand side of the screen.

Sunday Afternoon Post

2012-01-29T15:59:00.000-05:00

I missed my weekly Saturday Morning Post yesterday, because we were out of town on our church's annual Leadership Retreat. Michael is leading a small group this semester (Tuesday nights at 7pm, going through Pastor Mark's new book, "The Circle Maker," if you're interested), so even though I no longer lead the Prayer Ministry, we were still on for the retreat.

The retreat is at this old, outdated church campground in West Virginia, about an hour and a half (theoretically) from DC. Our church has about 300 ministry team/small group leaders, so it's a lot of people. They pay for everything, so all we have to do is show up.

The Praise and Worship music is AMAZING. The videos the church staff put together are HILARIOUS, and the vision casting and preaching is CHALLENGING.

Michael and I reflected over the time since last year's Leadership Retreat. WOW. What a year.
Last year, one of our church staff came to us, and asked to pray over us. He prayed for us, then told us, simply, that he thought we should tell our story. He didn't make a big deal over it, like it was all prophetic, or something, but take it for what it's worth.

A couple of months later, I got a message from my friend Michelle, who wanted to write an article for Gladys Magazine about us. I immediately thought about that prayer. We shared our story.

Now, looking back on all that sharing our story has brought us over the last year, I am humbled, and excited about what God is doing in our lives, and through this little blog. And, I'm reminded that even when we take what in the grand scheme of things, are little baby steps of obedience, God sees that, He honors that, and multiplies it.

Pastor Heather said Friday night, "Jesus can't avoid people who are desperately determined to get to Him."

That struck me.
I realized that about a year ago, I was desperate.
But, it took some time for my desperation caused me to be determined to get to Him. I was mad at God for a while.
So glad Jesus could see straight through my anger and know that even in that season, I was desperate for Him.

I am so thankful for a church that pours into its leaders. I am so thankful for a husband who loves the Lord, and I *can't wait* to see him live up to his potential in this new ministry role. And I'm so ready to pray through where God wants to take us over this next year.

So, there.
That's my contemplative Sunday afternoon post.
Brought to you by a very relaxed me, as I sit on my heating pad, sip Pumpkin Spice Tea, and I watch Michael fold laundry.

Facing Disability Post: Spinal Cord Injury: A Wife's Perspective

2012-01-25T22:25:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, I had the honor of guest posting on Facing Disability's blog. I linked to it on Facebook, but just in case you missed it and are interested, here's what I wrote:
Two years ago, I married the man with the prettiest blue eyes I could find. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s sweet. He’s handsome. And he gets me.

He does all of this, from a wheelchair. When Michael was 17 years old he broke his neck in a gymnastics accident. He’s a C5/6 quadriplegic, paralyzed from the chest down, with limited use of his arms and hands.

I am not sure just how much my perspective as a wife of a man with a spinal cord injury varies from the wife of any other man, because this is all I have ever known, but here goes.

There is certainly a lot to get used to. Not everyone will agree with this assessment, but to me, as we were settling into that first year of marriage, it sort of felt like we had a third person along for the ride.

That third person being my husband’s disability: the special needs it has, the equipment it requires, and the patience and effort required on my part to accommodate it. The catch was, unlike an actual person, the disability doesn’t communicate. You can’t reason with it. You can’t compromise. You can’t take turns. You just have to move out of the way when it is going a certain way. When it slows you down, you just have to slow down. When it goes haywire and changes your plans because of a bodily or equipment malfunction, you have to go with its flow. It doesn’t care if you are sick, or tired, or need a break. It must be handled first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and whenever it wants. It often cannot be “prioritized” or manipulated.

This was a major adjustment, especially for a control freak like myself. Because with other situations in life, you can plan ahead, you can work harder, think faster, be smarter, and get your way.

Being the wife of someone with a spinal cord injury can provide you with great perspective. Nothing like waking up every day next to someone who can’t move to make you realize whatever you are dreading or are afraid of that particular day, doesn’t really matter. But, if you’re not careful, that “perspective” can make you feel like you don’t matter.

I learned, not so quickly, but eventually, to not take the third person “personally.” It took time. And lots of love from a husband who was not willing to let his disability swallow his wife.

It is so cliché’, but communication really is key. Communication is key in any marriage, but in a marriage where a lot of the physical activity falls on one partner, because of a disability, communication is the glue that holds you together.

Just as it is important for the able bodied, ”caregiving” spouse to make sure all of the needs of the disabled partner are met, it is important for the disabled spouse to make sure the caregiver is taken care of.

There is so much support you can give, even if you have a spinal cord injury. My husband has found dozens of creative solutions to contribute. His legs may not work, but his ears do. He is an excellent listener.

There have been times when I have felt third in line in this marriage, behind him and his disability. Because he was able to see me, and hear my perspective, he was able to change it. To make me realize that we are a TEAM. There’s nothing either of us did to deserve this. It’s not anyone’s fault. But neither one of us is in this alone. We are on the same team.

Being part of a team is empowering. When you are weak, the other is strong. Two heads are better than one. Another cliché, but all of that is true. And when you’re dealing with a hard-headed non-compromising wildcard of a third person, you need as much power on your team as you can get.

My husband and I write a candid blog about our life called “Love Like This Life.” We write about life, love, faith, work and disability. We put ourselves out there in the hope that we will connect with others and encourage them along the way. Come rock this out right along side us!

www.lovelikethislife.com

Peace: Wait for It

2012-01-24T15:22:00.000-05:00

I just ate a Kit Kat in like .04 seconds. Oops. I should demand that all vending machines be removed from my workplace, because they will eventually be the death of me, I'm convinced.
My love for chocolate is actually tied with my love for coffee, which is ranked just slightly below my love for my husband.

Last week, I made a new friend. Her name is Katie, and we have so much in common. Katie recommended this book to me, "Jesus Calling." It has a little daily reading, and it's written from the perspective of Jesus, speaking to you.

Before I lose you, hang with me. This is not crazy religious stuff, I promise. It's all based on Bible verses. I have been reading them on the Metro on my way to work for the past week or so, and almost every day, they have been SO. ON. POINT.

For example today, it was about the Peace Jesus offers:

You receive this gift by trusting Me in the midst of life's storms. If you have the world's peace -- everything going your way -- you don't seek My unfathomable Peace. Thank Me when things do not go your way, because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials. Adverse circumstances are nomal in a fallen world. Except them each day. Rjoice in the face of hardship, for I have overcome the world.

So. Um. Yeah. I hear that!
I am the QUEEN of getting my way. Of course, I make this happen myself whenever possible. And, like any spoiled brat, when I don't get my way, you better watch out!!
Being a Type A personality can be a good quality. I have been quite successful in many areas of my life. But, I have to remember that all of my efforts are worthless without the blessing of God on my life!

I am also trying to learn to ACCEPT the Peace of Jesus rather than trying to control my own circumstances to the point that I have enough peace of my own, and I don't realize that I need HIS peace.

Does that make any sense?

Case in point: Our little adjustment period I told y'all about yesterday. Last week, I fought the peace. I was frustrated, needy, demanding and unhappy. I could have rested in the Peace offered to me, but instead I obsessed over when the home health aides were getting to our house, what they were doing when they were there and exactly how they were doing. I was looking at my phone every 5 minutes wondering why Michael hadn't texted me that they were done. It was not pretty.

My dear husband has taught me so much about this same thing. He loves to do things to help me, to serve me and to bless me. But I have to sit down long enough to let him do it. That's not easy when I am such an impatient person that literally waiting 15 seconds for anything feels like it is going to kill me!

One day last week, Michael knew I was having a bad day. So, he took the initiative to start on dinner while I was commuting home. I have to admit, the thought of my quadriplegic husband rolling up crescent rolls and baking them in the toaster oven did give me a couple of heart palpatations. And I figured Brokaw would benefit quite a bit in the kitchen, as M dropped something. But when I got home, there they were. Baked, warm, ready to go.

And that's not all. Michael also made me a "fire." And had some soft, soothing music playing in the background. We ate dinner, and chilled out.

Then he busted out the Aromatherapy lotion and gave me a really good shoulder massage. It's amazing what those skinny, pointy elbows can do!! I relaxed some more, reading my Kindle, then we shared a new dessert we tried for the first time -- coffee ice cream, pistachios and chocolate syrup. Try it. It was delicious.

My whole point here is that sometimes, we just have to wait for the Peace of God, and stop trying to make our world peaceful, ourselves. Because that night could have been different. I could have rushed home, made crescent rolls while picking up the house, served dinner myself, cleaned that up and served ice cream in a lot less time, and probably with less mess.

But this way, there was more Peace, in the end.
Marriage really can teach you SO MUCH about God. It's cool like that.

We Are Going Through a Little Adjustment Period

2012-01-23T12:43:00.002-05:00

I wrote the following entry LAST Tuesday night. We have moved to having home health aides come help Michael a few mornings a week, with his personal care. It's an adjustment for both of us.

Update: Last Wednesday, I ended up at Starbucks instead of the gym. Oops. Friday and today, I just came to work early.

We are going to have a home health aide come out tomorrow. I think I am ready to give this whole let someone else take care of my husband thing a shot. Translation: I am tired of doing it myself and I am drooling over the possibilities of things I could do with that time. I could work out. I could go to Starbucks and read and write. I could go to work and start my day early. I could organize coupons.

I have tried this before and the ritual left me in tears for a couple of different reasons. Mainly because leaving my husband in the bed made me feel like something was wrong with him. Like he was sick. Like he was a patient. I hated having to face that over and over.

Who knows, maybe something has changed? Maybe I have realized once and for all that there is something wrong. That my husband is paralyzed and can't get himself out of bed so someone else has to do it. Maybe I am ready to face that that is not normal. Maybe I am over "normal" and trying to kill myself trying to achieve it.

Or maybe I am just being selfish.

I don't know for sure but I feel ready. Ready to try.

I am going to try to not judge myself and I would appreciate it if you dont judge me either.

I think there is an insecure part of me that worries that if I don't get him up, showered, dressed, fed etc. myself that I am not this superwoman that people make me out to be.

My friend Abby hit that point on the head.

Maybe I am ready to not care about my superwoman status just enough to cut myself some slack and not care if anyone thinks I'm a fraud.

I guess we'll see.

Facing Disability: A New Way to Connect After a Spinal Cord Injury

2012-01-22T17:00:00.001-05:00

This is a guest post written by Annie Hambleton of Facing Disability. This is our first guest post, and we are so happy to partner with Facing Disability! It's a great resource for SCI families, and anyone who just has questions about how a spinal cord injury affects a person, and how they and their families manage moving on.

When a spinal cord injury occurs, it impacts the entire family. It seems like no understands their new situation in a way to help them deal with their lives ahead. That’s why the Hill Foundation of Chicago created the new website, FacingDisability.com, to connect families facing spinal cord injuries with others who have been there before them.

FacingDisability.com has more than 1,000 videos drawn from interviews of over 100 people with spinal cord injuries, and their mothers, fathers, siblings, children and caregivers. Every person was asked the same 48 questions, such as “What was your greatest fear at first?” and “What do you wish you had known at the beginning?” It is the only place on the Internet where you can see and hear the voices of experience.

Michelle, who became quadriplegic at 21 said, “I wish I would have automatically had known that I was always going to be myself. I don't know what I thought the wheels were dramatically going to do to me, but I wish that I would have known that the things I enjoyed before, and the way I was before, was all going to be the same. I would just have to go about things in a different way.”

Jennifer, who was a teenager when her mother became quadriplegic at 42, said, “I wish I had known that this was actually going to be a better thing for her, that this really was a window opening and not a door closing for her. Even though there are periods of time when it's really hard, her life is so much better, all of our lives are so much better. The time we spend together is more special now, and we make more of a point to do things together…she's so active in so many of the things that she does, and I wish that I had known that her life was going to be better as a result of all of it.”

If you’d like to hear from someone like you, FacingDisability videos are arranged by relation to injury as well as by question. You can watch individuals with SCI, parents, spouses, sibling and children, and refine your search by level of injury (paraplegic or quadriplegic), gender of person injured and age at injury. Follow this link to see all of the FacingDisability questions and answers on living with paralysis.
There is also an “Expert” video section made up of over 200 videos from interviews with top spinal cord injury experts. Here you can find professional answers on topics most people want to know about right away, such as “Spinal Cord Injury 101,” “Transition from Hospital to Home” and “Sex and Fertility after a SCI.”

Connecting with someone who has “been there” is one of the best ways to deal with a new injury. FacingDisability has a “Peer Counseling” service, made for people who want to connect one-to-one through an anonymous email system. There is also a “Forum” section where you can ask questions, or share answers.

Finally, FacingDisability.com has over 300 of the best resource on the Internet in the “Resources” section.

FacingDisability.com was established by the Hill Foundation of Chicago. Their mission is to provide Internet-based information and support for people with spinal cord injuries and the members of their families. Connecting with the life experiences of others who have been there before often helps people find the strength and support to face their new lives ahead. For more information, contact FacingDisability at info@FacingDisability.com.

Saturday Morning Post

2012-01-21T09:19:00.000-05:00

Well, Good Morning, y'all.
What a week it has been.
It was hard.
It was great!
But, I am glad it's over.

There's a little bit of snow on the ground and the local news is squeezed back, and freaking out. I love watching these people on TV but boy, am I glad I am not out in it, or in the control room, trying to decide which live shot with half an inch of snow to go to next. Lol.

My best friend, Ann, made it home from Thailand and I got to talk to her on the phone!
We're still waiting on official word on when my brother, Chris, gets home from Afghanistan, but we're getting close, and that has everyone in my family on edge.
I was in DC this week, not in South Carolina - which led to some serious campaign withdrawals!
I was actually in the office for the first time in 5 weeks - and it was slightly stressful.

Wednesday and Friday, we had home health care providers come and take care of Michael in the morning. My plan to go to the gym was tweaked a little - Wednesday I went to Starbucks. Friday I went to work early (which I later realized was a mistake, because I ended up staying late). I am still getting used to this.
I saw a friend this week and found out she is pregnant!
Paula Deen is diabetic.
I cancelled a double date last night with another friend I haven't seen in forever because Michael and I were having a little, ahem, marriage communication hiccup.
Two GOP presidential candidates dropped out.
I decided to get back on the couponing train in order to save enough money to buy myself and Michael both iPads. I'm excited about this goal! I love goals, I ATTACK them.
Etta James died.
I realized, yet again, that I am a control freak and part of that is my nature, but quite frankly, part of that is sinful, and I had to repent and turn from that. Sin = never fun!

I tried Starbucks' new lighter roast.

And realized, I like my coffee dark, and bold.
And my hair, blonde.

Three out of five of my morning commutes took more than an hour. Not cool.

I made FOUR new connections online with couples who are also juggling a disabilities in their lives, and over the next week, I am going to meet THREE of these people in person. I am beyond stoked about this.

I am so excited to see what this year will bring for us, our marriage, and our ministry! Chances are, it will be much like this last week - dreams coming true, my sin ruining some things, some of "my" plans working out, and some fizzling out, and Michael and I growing closer to God, and each other in the end. Don't you wish you could pick out the parts of life that are fun, exciting, and good and what you want, and just have those and leave the other stuff behind?

Yeah, that would be nice.

Remember, if you do a musing Saturday Morning Post yourself, link it up, here!

Managing Care and Marriage

2012-01-20T11:31:00.002-05:00

Whenever a couple gets married there are several things to work out. One of the things Dana and I are still working through is managing my care. It's really complicated because I'm not physically able to do it, so ultimately rely on Dana for so much. For her, as she has described, she feels it's a responsibility. When I do take the reins, it is a problem.

We both have best intentions. We both want to help each other. We both want to do what we should.

This isn't a deep or raw entry. Maybe our readers have some insight. Feedback is welcome.

On the Other Side of the Media

2012-01-19T12:33:00.000-05:00

Last week, I got a message from a friend who is in the journalism biz (for the company I used to work for) asking me if he could e-mail me some questions for an interview. I was of course delighted, because I really want to grow this blog, and get our story out there to anyone who it can impact in a positive way.

He posted his story to WBALTV.com (that's a TV station in Baltimore, about an hour north of where we live) yesterday. I linked to it on our Facebook page, but just in case you missed it, here it is.

I admit, it feels a little strange to read a 'news' story about myself, rather than being the one writing the news story. But, I knew I was in good hands. :)

Caregiving.com Post: What Made Me Cry

2012-01-19T12:29:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned, I'm going to re-post my blog posts for Caregiving.com here, so here's the one from this week:

After my introductory blog post, Denise asked “Would you mind telling us a little more about your tears? What was most overwhelming for you?”

I don’t mind sharing at all! After all, that’s what we’re all here for, right?

What made me cry? Hmm.
There was a lot of crying during our first year of marriage. Mostly on my part. A lot of it was normal we-didn’t-get-married-until-we-were-in-our-30s-and-set-in-our-ways/standard adjustment stuff. Like, what? I’m not the most important thing/person in the world and what I want doesn’t trump all other desires/feelings/plans?

And on top of all of that, was the disability stuff.

I will expand on this further in a future post, but having a disability in marriage is much like having a third person in your marriage. It took me many months to realize that this was how I felt. Crowded. Stifled. Overshadowed. Jealous. All of that. Once I figured that out, I was able to work with it, and start healing.

But up until I realized the “3rd person” thing, I kept getting hurt every time my husband’s disability would take center stage our plans, because I wanted to take center stage. I wanted to be in control of the plans.

I felt like I was being forced, over and over again, to realize that my husband was paralyzed. It kept slapping me in the face, out of nowhere, and it hit me like a Mack truck every time. Usually, it was the visuals that would bring me to tears. Like in the morning or evening, when I was draining and cleaning out his leg bag or bed bag (used to collect his urine). I would see myself in the mirror, this young, healthy blonde newlywed standing there in the bathroom of her newly decorated apartment, draining a giant bag of stinky urine, and I would think…

Is this really happening? Is this really how it is going to be forever? Can I really do this? God, are you there? Do you see what’s going on here?

And then, well-meaning people would come up to me or e-mail me and tell me how amazing of a person they thought I was for marrying a guy in a wheelchair. Like I was some sort of saint. It was nice of them to say that and all, but when I was staring at myself in the bathroom mirror, emptying bags of urine, and not liking it I felt like a horrible person.

I realized there was a lot of the caregiving stuff that I just didn’t like. Especially bathroom stuff. Let’s face it, bladder and bowel care is just not a lovely thing. Well, I was beating myself up. I was realizing that I didn’t like it, and I was worried that that meant I didn’t love my husband enough, that I wasn’t living up to these expectations of other people who thought I was an angel, and I felt like a fraud because I did know what I was getting into. I thought I could handle it, but here I was, falling apart.

I finally admitted to him that I didn’t like that stuff. Until I did that, I didn’t think he would understand. Because he’d been paralyzed for 15 years, he was really used to all of this, he would literally hum while he was going to the bathroom, and I’d be just on the other side of the door, feeling so guilty and balling my eyes out! He seemed so happy, so okay with everything. I didn’t want to bring him down. But, when I finally did open up (translation: when he pulled the truth out of me) I was so free! He completely understood that it was possible for me to not like the nasty stuff, but still completely love him.

It certainly didn’t happen overnight, but things are WAY better now.

I would also cry when metro elevators weren’t working. I cried when I felt like my family was making a big deal over him, I’d cry at church when I felt ignored. I would even cry when he would fall asleep in the car when I was driving, because I was like, really? You can’t drive, so I have to drive everywhere – you can at least stay awake! I’d cry on my way out the door to work in the morning, because I had already been awake for 4-5 hours taking care of all of his needs, cleaning, making breakfast, and I knew I was looking at an hour and a half commute, plus a full work day at a new job.

Phew. Yeah. It was a lot of tears. Not all of them were because of my new caregiving role, some tears were from too much change at once (new job, new place, new marriage) but it was a dark time.

So thankful to my family, my God, my friends, and my teammate – my husband – who got me through that season.

Exciting News: Blogging on Caregiving.com

2012-01-17T20:36:00.000-05:00

I have some exciting news for you guys. As if you don't get enough of me pouring my guts out here, haha!

Seriously, this is an answer to prayer. I have prayed, asking God where he would lead us and this blog in 2012, and I felt like the goal should be growth. And, I have been blessed with a new opportunity to share our story, and my journey on Caregiving.com!

I am a new blogger over there. So far, I have published two blogs:

An introduction, and an explanation of my history of crying, which you all know a little something about by now. :)

Anyway - if this sort of thing interests you, I hope you will follow along over there. I will also be re-publishing my Caregiving.com blogs here.

Cheers.

Good Food for Cold Weather: Corn Chowder

2012-01-16T16:07:00.001-05:00

I don't know about y'all, but I sure like to wear jammie pants all day and eat soup when it's cold outside. Recently this corn chowder did the trick. The recipe is originally from Family Circle. I modified it some.

What you need:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 carrots, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 large Idaho potato (I used a few russets instead) cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3 cups chicken broth (I used homemade frozen broth)
1 bay leaf
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon paprika
4 cups frozen corn
2 cups milk (I used skim)
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons white wine
3/4 teaspoon salt (I skipped this)

What you do:
Heat oil in a skillet.
Add carrots, celery and onion, cook until softened.
Put veggie mixture you just cooked into a crock pot, with the potato cubes and add bay leaf, dried thyme, and paprika. Cover, and cook on HIGH for an hour and a half, or until potatoes are cooked through.
Then, stir in corn and milk, cover and cook for another hour on HIGH. Make sure everything is heated through.
Use a potato masher to mash the soup together.
Cook some bacon, chop it up, and top each bowl with bacon and some shredded cheddar (I added that).

MMMM.

Road Warrior Secret

2012-01-15T17:35:00.000-05:00

I travel a lot for work. You know this.
When one travels a lot, and stays in hotels a lot... one can tend to forget which room one is staying in on said trip/night.

So, I came up with a little trick so that I'm not sliding my hotel card key in the wrong door (anymore).

That's right. The second I check into my room, I take a picture of my room number with my phone. Go ahead, steal it. It's genius. I know this.

Sharing YOUR Stories

2012-01-14T21:44:00.002-05:00

Over the next couple of days, on our Facebook page, I will be posting some photos and links to people, couples and families who we have been blessed to virtually meet because of this blog.

These are the people we feel a special connection with because they are in similar situations, regarding having a disability, or someone with a disability in their family. We love ALL of our blog readers, and hope you will all enjoy "meeting" these awesome people.

So, please join us on Facebook this week, and "share the love!"

Some Pumpkin Love

2012-01-14T09:14:00.000-05:00

I see no reason to make pumpkin goodies only around Thanksgiving. However, I did make this Pumpkin Trifle for Thanksgiving this year. Michael and I ended up eating it ourselves, because we were sick, and didn't drive down to the 757 for the holiday. It was amazing. And, some of it is still in the freezer.

I didn't make this one up, it's from Paula Deen.

Another yummy pumpkin dish that I want to eat RIGHT NOW is the pumpkin spice pancakes from Aldi. The box makes an insane amount of pancakes - like 20 or something crazy - we ate them for like four days.

I just made them according to the box directions, then topped them with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, whipped cream, and some pecans. Oh, and the last of that real maple syrup I got on a campaign coverage stop in New Hampshire. Delicious!

Saturday Morning Post

2012-01-14T08:44:00.002-05:00

Good Saturday morning to all of you.
This Saturday morning post is brought to you from my love seat, instead of my beloved chair. Thanks to an unexpected blessing of ca$h, we were able to re-decorate our home a little, and in that, we re-arranged the furniture in the living room. So, I'm doing something new: sitting on more than one piece of furniture (not at the same time, I'm not that fat!).

It's cold outside, so I'm still wearing my Uggs from walking the dogs this morning. The temps are in the 20s. Brr. Sounds like another day to stay inside and snuggle. But, Michael and I have a date night planned thanks to a gift card (are we super blessed lately or what?), so we are really looking forward to that.

I am a little bit sore from my workout yesterday, which I consider a good thing. I went to a class at the local REC Center, and it was so great. A solid hour of ADHD working out: 5 mins rowing, 5 mins weights, 5 minutes jumping on a ball, 5 mins weights, 5 mins biking, you get the picture... repeat for 55 minutes. It flew by. It was really fast, and even in my chubby, non-working out at all lately condition, I survived. So, I was really proud of myself, and I can't wait to go back.

I love taking classes at the gym way more than working out on my own. But, because I haven't been in a position to join a gym since I was a member of the YMCA when I lived in Norfolk like 6 years ago. Geez, where does the time go? Apparently the same place as the cookies... my thighs.

Let's see, what else is going on around here... Oh, yeah, I'm hoping to work on our office some more today, touching up paint. And, I'm hoping to buy a great full-length mirror for that room off of Craigslist. I may or may not be Craigslist's worst nightmare. I'm kind of a stalker.

I found out that I am not going to South Carolina for the primary there. I'm kind of sad, because I love covering politics, but kind of glad too, because I love my husband more and I'm excited to spend some time at home with him and the pets. Plus, my SUV needs to be inspected this month, so maybe now I can do that.

Cheers to Saturday!

**What's on your heart and mind this Saturday morning? Write your own "Saturday Morning Post," and link up here!**

On Letting Someone Else Take Care of My Man, and Yes, I Have Issues

2012-01-13T17:44:00.000-05:00

I have shared with you before that when I travel for work, we have hired help that comes and helps Michael get up and take care of his personal business. We don't do this when I am home, because I have a hard time dealing with it.

Well.
Right before New Year's, I pulled my back, and it's made some things hard. Like lifting my husband, and bending over. Michael's morning routine involves at least three transfers, and lots of bending over, reaching over, stretching side to side, it's quite the twister game that ends with a handsome man up, dressed and fresh for the day!

I am thankful for a husband who loves me, who knows me, and who looks out for me. Even though I was home this morning, his scheduled bathroom day, he insisted he have a home health care provider come out to take care of the twister game.

I tried to resist this.
But then, I heard a voice in my head.
It was as if I was my own friend, giving myself advice:
"Take this break. You need it. It will be a good thing. You can get out. Go to Starbucks, or go to the gym."

But, it is hard.
It's hard to hand control over.
I recognize that I can't take care of my husband when I'm not here.
I get that.
But I hate to let go of that control when I am here.
Because I know how good I am at it. And quick. And I have this amazing ability to put everything back where I got it/where it belongs. Not to sound full of myself, but what wife doesn't know better than anyone else what is good for her husband?
So yeah, I have a bit of a trust issue.

I also have a guilt issue.
Right now, our home health care is paid for by Medicaid. The State of Virginia pays for it. This is a huge blessing to our little family right now. I have never been one to like a handout, so I had a bit of a moral struggle accepting help this morning, knowing I could have done it. I was here. Would it have been hard? Yes. Would it have hurt? At times, for a couple of seconds, yes. But, I could have done it.

Okay, so those are the issues with having someone here. Then, there are a couple of more. Yes, I have a lot of issues. :) I am an all or nothing kind of girl. So, if I'm going to have issues, I'm going to have them all.

There is the privacy issue.
This one has gotten better over time. I've gotten used to having people all up in my place when they're taking care of my husband. I don't particularly like coming home and finding there is NO toilet paper in MY bathroom, and long black hairs on the floor. It's not my favorite thing to see laundry that has clearly been folded by someone else, and I really don't like trying to find something in my kitchen because someone else put it back in some random spot. (Maybe I should bust the label maker back out and make places more clear?)

Anyway. I'm super proud of myself.
Because this morning, I got up, took care of the dogs, laid Michael's phone on his chest, and headed to the gym. I did *NOT* cry!! I took a cardio/strength class at the local REC Center. And I liked it. And on my way home, I got the text from Michael: "Done."

I asked him, is the coast clear? Once I got the confirmation that it was (I still have major issues about actually BEING HERE while someone else is here taking care of him), I came home. He was up, dressed, fresh. I made breakfast, and we got on with our day, and it has been a great day.

Not to pat myself on the back too hard... because this was Michael's idea after all... but I'm proud of myself. For pulling this off with no tears. And, for going to the gym.

I should do this again. Sometime.

Q and A: Favorite things in DC, Heroes, Coming to Christ and the Today Show

2012-01-10T22:05:00.001-05:00

I would like to do Q and A posts on a regular basis. So, please, send us some questions, so we can blog some answers! You can e-mail me at: danabrownritter@gmail.com, or post questions on our Facebook page.

Faithful blog reader Kristen asks:

"What are your favorite things to do together in DC?"

Well, unfortunately, because of my hectic work travel schedule, and the bum wheelchairs, we really haven't done much outside of our happily little apartment over the last year. That sounds pitiful, and it has been frustrating at times, but the slower pace is nice sometimes, too. When I am in town, and Michael has some reliable wheels, we love going into DC. We love going to Nationals Baseball games, to museums/art galleries, and of course, the White House.

Recently, we had the privilege of going on a Christmas tour of the White House.

And we stumbled upon a great little place to have a cheap Happy Hour after that.

It turned into quite the lovely little date night!

2nd question from Kristen:

"Who are some of your heroes?"

I can't answer for Michael, but I can tell you about my heroes! As cliche' as it sounds, my heroes are made up of my family members. My mom is my biggest hero. She is super smart, she's cute, she's funny, and she gets things done. She started her own business when she was only like 22 years old, with no college education. She has incredible gut instinct, a super quick wit, and she has never, ever let me down in a million years. I never doubted that she would catch me every single time I was on the verge of falling. I want to be so much like her. Which is a good thing, because that seems to be happening, naturally, haha! She is also very compassionate and caring. There have been so many people she has helped over the years. She has raised kids that were not technically her own, she has taken in mothers in law, she routinely helps families in need who come to her baby store, the list goes on and on. And, to top it all off, she has rock solid biceps. So, yeah. I wouldn't mind being like her when I grow up.

3rd question:

"How did you come to know Christ?"

I came to know Christ the Summer before my senior year in high school. I did not grow up in a religious household. My household was not anti-religious, but church just was not a part of our lives. This may sound crazy, but out of nowhere, I just had this urge to go to church. So, since I could drive that Summer, I started going. I chose Atlantic Shores Baptist Church, because I had been there a few times with a friend, when I stayed the night with her. After my 3rd week there, I realized that these people had something that I didn't. I didn't know exactly what that something was, and I didn't want anyone to know that I was missing anything. When it came time to turn to a book in the Bible, I would flip through the pages, acting like I knew where to look, but I totally didn't! Then, one Sunday, at the end of the message, the Pastor invited people to "be saved." I did not understand what that meant, but knew I needed to do that. So, that Sunday, I came back for church in the evening. That night, they had communion. And the pastor explained that if you had not given your life to Christ, you shouldn't take communion. I seriously faked communion, because I did not even want to know what would happen to me if I drank that grape juice, haha! As I was leaving church that night, I saw a little pamphlet on the wall that said "What must I do to be saved?" I took it. It had verses from the book of Romans. When I read this, I realized I had heard of this before! I was like, "Oh, this is that." I was reluctant at first, because I was scared of becoming an overly religious crazy person! But, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I memorized those verses, and the little prayer on the back. I decided the next Sunday, I was going to go forward at the end of the church service. So, naturally, my 16 year old self bought a new green dress, and I curled my hair. Then, I had a flat tire! I was so bummed. I kept reading my little pamphlet for another week. That Sunday, I made it. I couldn't wait until the end when the Pastor would tell people to come to the front to be saved, and the praise team would sing "Come Just As You Are." He asked people who wanted to give their life to Christ to look up at him. I did. He said, "God bless you." I thought to myself, was that it? Am I saved now? Hmm. Then, he invited people to come forward. I popped out of my seat, got on my knees at the altar, and started praying the little prayer I had memorized. Then, a lady came and put her hand on my back, and I followed her into a locker room. (This was the "contemporary" service in 1996, so the service was in a gym! Haha. She started telling me the verses from Romans, and I was like, "I know, I know! I just need to pray!" So, we did. And she told me to always remember the date. June 21, 1996. I will never forget it. Life certainly has not always been easy since that day, but I have always known that I am not alone. God has always had my back. Best decision I ever made.

Last question:

"You've mentioned you can't stand the weekday Today Show, but didn't you also say that for years it was your dream job?"

This has the potential to also get really long, but I feel like I have already written a book sharing my testimony, so I will try to make this short! Yes, I did use to dream of working at the Today Show. When I was growing up, watching the Today Show was a big part of what made me want to be in TV News. And when I was a young journalist, I was so inspired by the Today Show. I loved the way they told stories, how they were always first to get the big interviews, and the writing and creative standups were just great. Then, the show just went downhill. Way downhill. They started covering all this celebrity crap. 9/11 happened, and it was great again, for a while, but now it's back to being about Michael Jackson. I miss Katie Couric. The show hasn't been the same since she left. Matt Lauer is the only thing the show has going for it, and they don't use him enough. I like to watch NEWS, so, I like Morning Joe. We don't have cable, so I can't watch that. Honestly, want to know a secret? I get 99% of my news these days from... wait for it.... Twitter. #imsorrytvnews

Going through My Piles

2012-01-09T22:44:00.000-05:00

While we were getting the desks cleaned out lately I was reminded how much I hate dealing with paperwork. Dana was working very hard to get the house ready before she left for her next trip. We had several days uninterrupted over the Christmas / New Year break and took full advantage of them. She tackled her desk and closet, was working on cleaning out our spare room. Then came my messy corner.

For some strange reason I cannot keep things neat and tidy. I'm clean. Even picky. But not tidy. I once heard it described, "some people are filers, others are pilers." Maybe I'm the latter. I don't know why, though. I really hate dealing with paperwork. Sometimes it's inconvenient. Other times it just falls where I can't get to it. Then there are the things I don't want to deal with.

Most of the paperwork has to do with things that remind me of my failures or limitations: credit card stuff, doctor bills, student loans, bank statements. I get overwhelmed thinking, 'yep, ANOTHER thing you didn't do.' Throwing it in a box or pushing it to the back of the desk 'till I can get to it --at a better time-- is easier. That is, until I have to clean up the piles. Then it's all there staring me in the face.

To make matters worse, somebody has to help me go through all of this. Here enters Dana. I said, "we can do this in fifteen minutes." We were okay at first. Then the piles on the desk: frustrating, but got through it. Then the big orange box. It was unbelievable what I had stuffed away in a year. Some stuff we shreaded. That felt good. I didn't want to look at the undone stuff from months gone by. There were notebooks with ideas I hadn't achieved. Threw some of them away. Others I couldn't part with. They had notes to myself of things I don't want to forget; the reminders of how I got where I am today.

Two hours passed and we were through it. Much of my clutter was gone. My piles whittled down to the essential things I had to keep handy for now or wanted to keep for posterity. This hoarding and purging is such a chore. I don't know why I do it to myself. I don't know why I do it to whomever is helping me.

Mission: Organization

2012-01-06T19:49:00.002-05:00

It was so nice to come home yesterday to a clean, organized house. It didn't hurt that my husband had put all of his stuff away and cleaned up and that he was heating up dinner when I got home. :) I don't mind that one bit.

I am only home for like 30 hours before going to New Hampshire.

Before I left for Iowa, I spent many hours organizing our whole apartment. It was a lot of work. It was a lot of fun. (I happen to love that kind of stuff!) And, now, being home for just a little bit, it brings me so much peace and happy order knowing that everything has a place, and there's a place for everything.

I invested about $25.00 in a label maker. This proves that my organizing is on a whole new level. It's a progressive disease, what can I say.

I really had fun going around and labeling everything, and no, Michael does not have a "husband" label across his forehead.

Here's some of my work:

The medical supplies in Michael's closet. I hope this is helpful to the home health aides that come to help him when I am not here. I hope it helps them, ahem, put stuff back where it goes. Ahem.

Under my bathroom sink. This is an example of things I probably didn't need to label, because nobody ever really goes under there looking for hair clips other than me, but labeling is addicting. What can I say?

Yep, I'm the girl who does that. You who don't, envy me. It's smart. It's practical. And everyone knows you use them, so get over it.

This is Michael's tea drawer. It's where we keep lots of different kinds of hot teas (that's his thing), splenda, straws, the straps he uses for eating utensils, and plastic plates, at his level. I'm all about creating opportunities for independence. a.k.a. opportunities for me to sit down and watch TV while he makes himself a cup of tea. ;)

Pantry before.

And after. This was before I busted out the label maker.

Bless this Home

2012-01-03T13:44:00.001-05:00

We love our family and friends visiting. The past month we have enjoyed hosting. Dana's sister visited with a couple of friends. Her parents visited. Mike's parents are visiting this week.

We joke about the way people throw around the word "blessing." Sometimes it's the only word that fits. Blessed is the way we feel when our home is full. We get excited planning and cleaning for company. We reflect on the trip when they leave.

We got so excited about all of our company we repurposed our extra bedroom. It was supposed to be our office: two desks, a bookshelf, boxes and a futon. We cleared out the desks and posted them on Craigslist. We moved the futon around. We made things warmer.

Mike's parents are the first to enjoy the new room. Ann will visit soon. Hopefully there will be more to come. We have so much fun when we have somebody to share life with. Sometimes we'd really rather be together without extra company.

Now we have a redecorated guest room and living room. Our home is cozy. Whether it's friends or family, we're excited to share. Our home is really a blessing. We want it to continue to be that.

On The Road Again

2012-01-01T18:48:00.001-05:00

I'm writing this from 30,000 feet. On my way to Iowa to cover the 2012 Iowa Caucuses - very exciting! This is the very first step in determining the GOP nominee who will run against President Obama later this year. I have a front seat for all of the action, and I love this stuff, so I am pumped.

Here's a little sneak peek of my life on the road over the last year!

Bring on 2012 and all of the adventures and Hilton Honors points! :)

Today we got upgraded to First Class.

I'm lucky enough to be 5 feet tall, so I have my little legs 100% stretched out.

Cheers to a New Year!

2011-12-31T22:48:00.001-05:00

It’s New Year’s Eve.

I’m sitting on a heating pad, writing a blog post.

And my Michael is vaccuming and mopping. Husband of the year.

His parents get here tomorrow for a visit.

We were going to go to a co-worker’s house for a NYE party, but I strained my back, and I’ve learned (the hard way) not to play when it comes to my back, hence the heating pad.

NYE is a natural time to be sentimental, looking back over the last year. And, hopeful and excited looking ahead to the next year.

2011 was a good year for us.

It certainly had its challenges (lots of frustration with medical problems and equipment, lots of work travel for me, my brother at war, tight finances).

But, it’s certainly had it’s blessings as well (great opportunities at work, visits with our families, new friends and I got my picture taken with Tom Brokaw).

In many ways, 2011 wasn’t what I really expected it to be. For me, it was mainly focused on work. So, time devoted to ministry and friendships was largely swallowed up by that.

As for our marriage, I think we are going into 2012 stronger than we were a year ago, and very much in love, and best of all, on the same page. So, I call that a WIN.

Last New Year’s Day, we went to Starbucks, and sketched out our goals for the year. We fell short on a lot of them. We tried. I'm not thinking of this so much a failure, as we are a work in progress.

We did make great strides on the goals that we set TOGETHER. It was the things we set out to do on our own where we came up short.

Well.

There’s no “I” in TEAM.

Guess we should stick together.

As for 2012 goals – eh, last year’s goals still sound good. Plus, this year we begin some pretty big steps to our future life that I am mildly STOKEDDDD about. :)

I have been having some very grown up Google searches lately.... things like "minivan wheelchair modification" and "daycare costs in Northern Virginia." All of this freaks me out, but in a good way. All of this big stuff is still a way's off. I think it kind of freaks Michael out that I'm already googling this stuff, but hey - I'm a googler - what can I say? We have to get a new President first. So this will really be a 2013 project, but 2012 will surely have a lot of Google searches. :)

Okay, y'all.

Cheers.

I think I'm going to make that appetizer I was going to take to that NYE party. I'm getting kind of hungry even though I did have a bowl of black eyed peas while we were watching "Waiting For Superman," and I was crying my eyes out.

Gifts That Speak to My Heart

2011-12-31T10:38:00.000-05:00

I'm going to let you in on a little thing I have a hard time with, sometimes.
Feeling like a woman.
Not to go all Shania Twain or anything, but let's face it. Because my husband is paralyzed, and just isn't able to do somethings, I do them.
Some of these things are things that would traditionally fall on "the man."
Like fixing things, building things, lifting things, reaching things, driving, you get the picture.

I do all of that.

Also, because of our situation - and the fact that every time we go anywhere, I literally have to lift Mr. Wonderful up and put him in our SUV, and lift the wheelchair and put it in, I NEVER wear skirts. I NEVER wear heels.

Add all of this up, and sometimes, I just don't feel very girly anymore.
Not that I was ever a really, really girly girl, but anyway.
It's not something I dwell on a lot, but it is something that can be aggravating at times.

Enter my Christmas gifts from my husband this year.
A collection of lip glosses.
A collection of perfumes.
And the darling little box pictured above. A handmade, super girly box to put my wedding rings in. My rings are hand-me-downs from my Granny, and they've never had a box. So, at home, they are often just sitting around. Michael just noticed that, and got me this box on Etsy.

#sweetestthingever.

I felt so loved as I was putting my Christmas presents away.
This is how my man sees me.
As a woman.
As a lady.
Who is pretty.
And smells good.
And needs a place to put her shiny diamond rings.

Not as a grubby taxi driver/handyman/maid/nurse.
I needed that gift most of all.
And, he didn't even know that.

The beautiful thing about gifts is that they all speak. They all say something.
And I loved to hear what these Christmas presents told me.

Our Christmas at Home II

2011-12-27T19:58:00.000-05:00

Last year, we started our own little tradition of staying home, our home, just the two of us, on Christmas Day.

I didn't make the giant feast that I did last year. No turkey and all the fixin's. I can't remember if I wrote about it here or not, but we didn't make it to my sister's house this year for Thanksgiving, so I felt like I had just done the whole turkey, etc. SO, I made the filet mignon and potatoes au gratin that arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago, courtesy of an Omaha Steaks Groupon. :)

We had a snuggly Christmas Eve...

Read the Christmas story at breakfast...

I thought at breakfast about how cool it is to read a story that's 2011 years old... on an electronic device. Love it. :)

We opened presents...

Pardon the bed head and pile of laundry :)

About 20 minutes after the last present was opened, the Christmas tree CAME DOWN.
A lady who bought our old coffee and end tables off of Craigslist came by and took them, and I started an all-out organization project!

Gotta love a husband who vaccums! I know I do.

We are making room for some NEW FURNITURE! :) More on that later. :)
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow, we celebrate with M's family. Looking forward to that, then more cleaning out/organizing, then getting back on the 2012 campaign trail.

On Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T18:54:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, y'all!

I hope you're in the spirit.
I think I am.
I'm snuggled on my chair in the living room (in a slightly new spot thanks to a little re-arrangement) with Brokaw, and we're watching the news and the Christmas tree is right in the window, in all its glory.

I'm having a beer.
And I can hear Michael in the other room, stuffing my stocking :)
I hear tissue paper.... which I may or may not have made a snotty remark about when he asked me to get it for him. I'm such a brat sometimes.

Lasagna is in the oven.
Stouffer's.
In the spirit of not killing myself this Holiday Season.

Tomorrow, we're having steaks, instead of the whole turkey plus fixin's.
I feel kind of bad about that, but kind of like I just did that whole Thanksgiving thing like, um, yesterday.

It's been a great week home from work.
I saw my sister! :)
We visited the wounded warriors at Walter Reed.
I saw two out of three of my nephews. :)
I saw my mom and Dave. :)
We went to see the decorations at the White House, and because we needed to go up the elevator, we went through a different way from everyone else on the tour and we saw BO THE DOG!! Secret Service wouldn't let me take his picture. I was seriously so excited to see him because while I've seen the President hundreds of time, Bo has eluded me!
We went driving around with EggNog Lattes and looked at Christmas lights around Northern Virginia.
We took an EPIC trip to Ikea. :)
Our living room is already mid-transition, there's a new cabinet in my bathroom, and I'm SO EXCITED about painting/changing the office/guest room because it has been driving me crazy forever.
I already love LOVE love the changes to the living room.
We spent a bunch of gift cards and that was SO MUCH FUN.

Man, I am ready for that lasagna.
And I'm looking forward to sharing Christmas morning with my Love.
We have our own little Christmas traditions, and while they are still young, they are fun.

We wake up and read the Christmas story out of the Bible, while we're still in the bed.
We eat breakfast.
We open gifts. (We just do stockings for each other, and we have a $50.00 limit)
We call our families.
We watch football.
We eat a special, super yummy dinner.
And the rest is, ahem, private married kind of stuff. :)

I love Christmas!
I hope y'all have a very Merry one!
We have so much to be thankful for this year.
Our Savior has been good to us.
Happy Birthday, Jesus. Thanks for coming to earth and bringing us new life in you.

I Never Want to Forget This Time

2011-12-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

I am experiencing one of those times in my life that I never want to forget.
I am like most people.
I think more, talk more and write more about the things that are bothering me, the things I'm worried about, and the things that aren't right in my life more than I talk, think and write about what is going right and good and just fine.

I don't mean to be that way.
But just like people say they don't want to watch "bad" news, but if all you play is clips of the Puppy Bowl and the water skiing squirrel, they don't watch. Well, maybe the Puppy Bowl isn't the best example, but you get it.

You're probably wondering by now what that photo has to do with what I've got going on down here in this 3rd paragraph.

Well, that is the most festive, wonderful worker for the Metro system in DC. I don't know her name, but she is a station manager at Farragut West. And this season of my life that seems to be overflowing with blessings right now, started with her.

A couple of weeks ago, I was on my way into work, and I noticed her. Again. I have noticed her before, because she is always super cheerful, telling commuters "Have a great day, stop and enjoy the sunshine!" or "You can do it, it's almost Friday!" And now, she's decorated the station for the holidays, is pumping Christmas music as loud as she can on a little boom box, and wearing antlers.

I knew when she told me to "Have a blessed day" that day, what I was going to do. I went up the escalator, bought her a little $5.00 Starbucks gift card, went right back down the escalator, and handed it to her, and thanked her for all that she does. She almost cried. It was the cutest thing ever.

WELL.
That was when it started.
The very next day, a $5.00 Starbucks e-gift card popped in my inbox.
A couple days after that, co-workers provided me with several MORE Starbucks cards! And, I guessed how many Hershey's Kisses were in a jar, so I won that, too.

IT GETS BETTER.
Remember this post from a few months ago?
I was so stressed out, thinking about Michael's home health care while I traveled so much for work. Well, I have been super stressed out lately, looking at January, when I will be on the road almost the entire month, and wondering how in the world we were going to pay for the home health care.
An old friend, a girl I cheered with in high school contacted me, and encouraged me and Michael to apply for Medicaid.
We had tried before, with no success.
But, I figured, hey - we can try again.
It's a lot of paperwork.
It's an uncomfortable letting-in of the state into your personal business.
But, WE WERE APPROVED.
I think we both almost cried happy tears.
And we both slept all night long, good, for the first time in a long time, knowing that the huge burden of that huge expense had been lifted.

THEN.
I was just back from my last trip to Iowa.
There was a knock at my door.
The mailman.
He's been bringing several boxes and packages lately that are Christmas gifts. But, I wasn't expecting him this day.
There was an envelope.
And a really funny card.
And one of the greatest surprises I have ever experienced.
A generous woman with a great, big heart who reads this blog - took the time and consideration to buy more than several gift cards for me. And for us. All tailored to the things I blogged about the day before.
It was incredible.
I cried as I texted Michael and called my mom.

I have heard of people being blessed like this out of nowhere, but I'd never experienced it for myself.
It blew me away.

THEN.
Monday, I had to attend a meeting at our company's headquarters in Virginia Beach. It was so great to see my colleagues in VB that I usually only email or talk to on the phone.
There was an end-of-the-year chapel/awards ceremony.
And little me was awarded the big deal award.
With it, came a significant "blessing," if you can read between the lines.
WOW. I couldn't stop thinking about how God is just blessing me left and right.

In the middle of all of this, I dropped my phone in a cab the other night, and I was so sure it was gone forever. BUT NO. The cabbie actually FOUND IT and RETURNED it to me! I gave him a reward, but still. This was just something else amazing.

On top of all of this, I had wonderful time with my sister and her friends and family, and I got to see my Mom and my stepdad. They all blessed me with wonderful Christmas presents.

It is overwhelming, the blessings that have come to me in the last 2 or 3 weeks. There are too many to even count. All of this doesn't even count my health, my wonderful family, my loving husband, my job that doesn't even feel like a job, my vacation time at the end of this very busy year, my warm safe home, my working SUV, my pets..... you see.... God has been so good to me!

I know exactly what I want to do.
I want to remember this.
I want to share this.
I want to pay every bit of this experience and every cent of every gift I have received FORWARD.
So, if you feel like you are one of those people like I was, who just heard about other people being blessed, and wonder if it will ever happen to you.
I say, do not give up.
Keep on rocking on.
Keep on doing good.
Keep on believing.
He is in control.
He does still bless people beyond what they can imagine.
I am not making this up.
This is for real, and it is happening to me.

I understand to whom much is given, much is required.
Just as I have cried out to God in my desperation and weakness, I cry out to him in my joy and thankfulness.
God, use me in this.
Use us.
And if you want to keep blessing us, that's totally cool! :)

On Priorities, And Giving Up When You Have To

2011-12-15T14:15:00.000-05:00

Filing our story from Chili's in Sioux City, Iowa

(Note: I wrote this post on the plane to Omaha yesterday. Publishing it from Sioux City right now.)

I blinked, and it’s the middle of December.
I swear it was August yesterday. Why am I wearing a big fat coat right now?

I have a bad habit: I overdo it.
I thought I had learned a lesson about this during our first year of marriage, when I lost 30 pounds without trying (that I, of course, later found) and much of the hair in the front of my head.

But, apparently not.
At least now, though, I can tell the signs my body gives me that I am getting overly stressed.

I work a more than full time job.
I commute at least an hour to and from work each way.
I am a caregiver to my husband, which can take up between 2-4 hours a day.
I started a volunteer project helping Wounded Warriors and their families at Walter Reed, which is quickly snowballing into something bigger than I can handle alone.
I like to have a clean house.
I like to make home cooked meals.
I like to shop at 2-3 different stores each week to save money.
I like to have a clean car.
We have two dogs, one of which really should be bathed every other day.
I am covering a Presidential campaign that has been going on for about a year, but is REALLY getting ready to heat up, for real, for the next 10 months.
I like to clip coupons to save money.
I like to stay in contact with my family.
I don’t like to miss ANYTHING. Be it a story, a Facebook post, a Tweet or an Instagram picture. I admit, I am an information addict.
I like to spend quiet time alone reading my Bible and devotionals.
I like to make homemade Christmas presents.
I like to buy Christmas presents, and wrap them. 
I don’t like to work out, but I do feel guilty about not doing it.
I like to keep this blog updated.
I don’t like to drive my husband back and forth to Baltimore for wheelchair repairs, but I need to, at some point.

Phew.
I feel overwhelmed just reading over my little list here.

Last week, I couldn’t sleep worth a you know what.
I was waking up grumpy and with headaches.
My hands started breaking out.
Monday, I woke up so stressed I pretty much wanted to cry.
I felt like the to do list was towering over me, and the calendar was crowding my sunlight like an eclipse. So, I stayed home. Worked from home. Got some stuff done for the show. I made a huge list of things I wanted to do at home, having to do with Christmas gifts and the post office and making this and that and cleaning this or that. Wanting everything to be perfect for when my sister arrives the day after I get home from this trip to Iowa.

Then, I did something revolutionary. I scratched a bunch of stuff off, without doing it.
Go ahead, shriek. I did. This is not me.  But I have to cut the fat.
I can’t do all of this stuff.
Why do I do this to myself all the time?  Set these crazy, impossible goals that are either not humanly possible, or simply not worth it.

So here is the list of things I am not doing:
-Bathing the dogs (Michael is making them appointments at Petsmart)
-Clipping coupons (this should say I am not feeling guilty for not clipping coupons, because honestly, it’s been a few months since I’ve clipped or printed anything)
-Cleaning my car. I’ll wipe the inside down before my mom gets here. It’s not that bad anyway.
-Cooking for the Wounded Warriors this weekend. I can’t do it this week. There is no time. My sister is bringing oodles of cookies we will take those, and I have some supplies a co-worker donated, so I’ll drop those off on Sunday. But, sorry guys. No meals this week.
-Painting the ceiling in my dining room. I know, there’s been marks on the ceiling since we replaced the lighting fixture this Summer. Sorry, Mom. I wanted it to be perfect for you when you came to visit, but it’s not going to be perfect.
-Making bread. This year, Michael’s grandparents and aunts and uncles are getting cookies and magic bars in their Christmas packages. No homemade bread. I didn’t have time this year to mix, knead, wait for bread to rise, bake, etc.
-Homemade Apple Butter, not happening. I have some “spiced apple sauce” for my neighbors, if y’all are interested. You’ll have to refrigerate it, FYI.
-Working out. (this is another one that I’m really just dropping the feeling guilty part for, because I haven’t worked out since that hotel in Vegas the day before my birthday, in October)
-On that, I’m giving up the idea of ever celebrating my birthday. Michael and I keep meaning to do it, but there’s just no time. And soon, it will be 2011. Oh well. I can celebrate next year, right? Oh, wait, my birthday will be two weeks before Election Day. Maybe 2013 we can go out to dinner like 3 times.
-I wanted to wrap our Christmas presents all super pretty with ribbons and little ornaments and all that jazz. I bought the stuff. But, it didn’t happen. Have fun opening the taped edges. Sorry, that’s all I have.

Don’t I sound so defeated? It’s dumb, isn’t it? I mean who cares about smudges on the ceiling of the dining room or if there’s a snowflake on your Christmas present, right? Who cares if we have no homemade bread for a few months or if I spend $15.00 more a week because I’m not driving all across town with coupons, shopping at like 4 different stores for groceries and household supplies, right?

Because the things I cannot and will not compromise on just won’t give. And they shouldn’t. That’s the whole idea of priorities, right? I mean, my husband has to go to the bathroom and be bathed. The pets have to be taken care of, the house has to be at least moderately clean, I have to work, pay bills, and travel for work, and to see family for Christmas. And they have to come see us, too!

All of this is an apology, really, for not making homemade Apple Butter.
For having dirt in the corner floor boards of my kitchen.
For being overweight.
For having grown out roots.
For not being perfect.

But, our life, health and well being is fine.
I’m good with God.
And I’m giving back to my country.

I have a lot to be thankful for.
I try to remind myself that I am “blessed, not stressed.”
But if I’m honest with you, I’m both.
Aren’t we all?

There you go.
My unedited thoughts on priorities and giving up, when you have to.
Major shout out to my husband who had my back today in mailing a package to my brother, and making arrangements for the pups!

Brokaw's Newest Thing

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is Brokaw's newest toy, "Chip." I got it for him for Mutt Day. Chip is awesome, because he came with 8 squeakers. Brokaw has been known to destroy a squeaker within 24 hours, so the fact that Chip has 8 means he will live a long life. Note: I think Chip currently has 5 working squeakers. He's been in our house for about a week.

The funny thing is, Brokaw likes chewing on the rattle in Chip's head. So, I buy the dog a toy with 8 squeakers, and Brokaw is apparently not all about all the squeakers. Whatever. Brokaw has also started a new game, "Hide Chip." He LOVES for me to hide Chip, then he goes and finds him.

We were playing this the other night, and I realized something very funny. One thing Brokaw has NEVER been good at is dropping a toy (or anything else for that matter) when you tell him to. So, fetch has always been a one sided game with this Puggle. Well, the other night, I wanted to get Chip back from Brokaw so I could hide him again. And I said "stay," to get Brokaw to stay where he was so I could wrestle Chip out of his mouth. (This was how we would usually play 'fetch.') I said "stay" and Brokaw DROPPED Chip! This went on and on and on. Every time I say "stay," he drops the toy.

For some reason, in Brokaw's brain, "stay" means "drop it." This has been going on for days now. It's hilarious! It works every time!

Brokaw is crazy smart, and he communicates like he's a person. He's like my little toddler. And, like a toddler, he apparently sometimes confuses words and their meanings.

And, also like a toddler, he plays hard, runs out of gas, and cries, then falls into a deep sleep. I love my best good buddy.

Lost Hat

2011-12-12T08:00:00.003-05:00

This might sound really silly, but right now, I'm praying for my hat.
See that hat I'm wearing in the picture with my best friend, Ann? I got that hat in 2007, when we went to a VT game. I LOVE that hat. They don't make it anymore.

One time, I lost that hat in a Wal-Mart parking lot, and took Brokaw back up to the Wal-Mart parking lot with me, to try to sniff around and find it.
He did!

That was two years ago.
Now, I have lost it again. :(
I left it on the Metro.
It was the third thing I left on a Metro train JUST THIS WEEK.
I also lost a hat I just got a couple of weeks ago, as well as my black texting gloves I also just got this year. :(
BOO!

I am usually so careful and responsible. I am the girl who locked her keys in her car in high school, so she has the habit of making sure she has her keys before closing her door. I used to be the girl who looked back to where she was sitting to make sure she had everything.

Guess I've gotten away from that. I blame my iPhone. I'm constantly distracted. Oy.
I didn't bother to report my original hat and texting gloves. But my beloved VT hat? I totally went on Metro's website and filled out a "lost and found" form. Hopefully I will hear something this week. If not, I am going to be really sad.

Of course, it's just a thing. I realize that. But that hat has great memories attached to it. Like that game with Ann, and the fact that I wore it the night Michael asked me to marry him. Plus, I like to show my support for Virginia Tech. For the football team, and for the school in general, because even though I didn't go there, I'm a proud fan, and I always pray for the Hokies. They've been through so much.

Homemade Christmas Gifts

2011-12-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

Here's a little random tidbit about our blog. Would you believe one of our top posts of all time is about Homemade Christmas Gifts? Random, right?

Well, just in case you landed on this here blog looking for affordable ways to make someone's holiday, here are some more little homemade Christmas gift ideas I have been working on this year.

Of course, I will be baking my tail feather off. That goes without saying.
But, also, I'll be giving some of these things to friends and family this year.

Drink Mixes

This one is Chai Tea Mix. You can get the recipe and instructions if you click on the link. Here's the bottom line, all you need is some spices and other ingredients. You can get that kind of stuff on the cheap if you look at the Dollar Tree and Aldi. I found cute little jars at the Dollar Tree and at Ikea. Follow the instructions, pour the mix into the jars using a funnel, so it lands in there all pretty like, and tie some cute labels around it. Bam. Cute, cheap Christmas present!

I also made Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate. Note, if you use this link, they forgot powdered sugar. Add half a cup of that to each batch you make. TRUST me. I got these cute little tags in the Christmas wrapping paper section of Target, and wrote what the mix was, on the plain white back of the tags.

I think my favorite homemade Christmas present I've made so far this season is Raspberry Vinegar. I just mixed it up last weekend, so it's still in process, but I think it's going to be really neat.

I took this picture when I was making it last weekend. It's been in our pantry for a week, and it's already WAY red! VERY pretty! This was easier than the drink mixes. All you do is rinse some fresh raspberries, put them in a bottle, then fill it with white distilled vinegar. Then, put it in a cool dark place for 2 weeks.

I got the bottles at Ikea. So many cute bottle/jar options there. As you see, I also used some Mason canning jars, so no worries if you don't have an Ikea in your neck of the woods! Have fun making your homemade Christmas gifts, and let me know if you have any cute ideas! I love making homemade gifts, and even though we did have a little money to actually spend on Christmas gifts for our families this year, I still like giving some stuff that has that homemade touch.

Merry Christmas, y'all! Cheers!

A Thank You Letter to the Internet

2011-12-10T08:17:00.000-05:00

Dear Internet,
I have so much to thank you for this year. For connections with special friends like Jamie, Melanie, Alicia, Erica, Heather, Amber, Melanie, Megan, Lynette, and Sib who know what this wheelchair journey is like, and what the wife/caregiver life is like. I am forever grateful for the connections we share, the encouraging emails and texts and the funny stories we can talk about just with each other. The internet brought us all together.

I am thankful for Facebook, which has been the main vehicle for telling the stories of the Wounded Warriors we have prayed for, cooked for and gotten to know. Like Derek, Nick, Matt, Chaz, Brian, Jessie and Jamie. I am a better person for having prayed for you and served you. I am forever grateful for all of your service, and your wives and moms and families for reminding me of how true love serves.

I am also thankful for the chance to reconnect with old friends from high school and college, as I traveled for work this year. For picking up right where we left off. I never would have been able to keep up with these people without social media.

I am thankful to all of the blog readers and Facebook friends who sent us checks and grocery store gift cards to join with us in cooking and serving the Wounded Warriors and their families. This has been such an honor, and I couldn't have done it without your support.

I am just thinking about the role the internet has played in our lives over the past year, and I'm finding myself incredibly grateful. It is a big part of our lives, but in a good way. I don't know how we ever lived without it now!

Internet, you are like water to me.

Saturday Morning Post

2011-12-10T07:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday, y'all.
It's cold outside.
The heat is running.
So is the humidifier. Ugh.
I'm drinking my favorite coffee (freshly brewed this morning), Starbucks Christmas Blend. I really wish they sold it all year long, then I wouldn't have to hoard it in December.
And I'm eating a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin I made the day before Thanksgiving. (I love my freezer)

The dogs have been fed and they're back asleep. So is Michael.
Ah, yes. The peace that is Saturday morning.

Today, I'm planning to get my Holiday bake on!! I'm planning on making Magic Bars, Chocolate Mint Cookies and Pumpkin Swirl Bread. Well, maybe on the bread. Not completely convinced I have time for that.

I'm also going to continue making my homemade Christmas gifts. I'll share more with you about what I'm making this year, I know last year that was a big hit.

I have SO MUCH to catch y'all up on. Life has been super busy and super blessed around the Ritter house.

Gifts Underneath the Tree

2011-12-08T08:34:00.001-05:00

Santa, I mean Dana, was busy yesterday! She worked until last night fixing and wrapping Christmas gifts. We had the music playing as she hustled around the workshop.

Christmas gifts behind the tree

We have to come up with creative ways to display things in our home. No live plants because Katie likes eating them --she's even tried eating the needles off our plastic tree! Somebody else likes peeing on and chewing the gifts. So Dana hid things on the bookshelf and well behind the tree on the floor.

Hiding the gifts from the "kids"

Hard to believe we still have more than two weeks 'til Christmas. These gifts will eventually find their homes. Having the tree trimmed and gifts underneath makes it all feel so close. Egg nog anybody?

Saturday Morning Post

2011-12-03T08:29:00.002-05:00

This is the first time I've done this, believe it or not. I am posting this on my phone, laying in the bed. I slept for 8 hours. Quick, some go see if he'll froze over.

What a busy, crazy week of no sleep! It all made for a very grumpy Dana. I wa so tire last night, I cried for no reason, like a 2 year old.

I would love to wake up slowly, have my coffee, browse the web and write this post from my comfy chair in the living room, but there is too much to do today.

Once my feet hit the ground, I am on.
Before anyone sighs, I know I do this to myself. I take too much on. I have been doing this since I was a little kid. I get it honest.

Whatever. I just need a little break and then I will be good to go to take care of the man, the creatures, the home, the newsroom and everyone and thing else that depends on me.

Today will not be a restful day. It will be a fun day though! Baking a cake for the youth cake auction at church. Cooking and delivering meals to the Wounded Warriors. Shopping. Cleaning. (not going to stress over that too much though, I figure I will be off Wednesday when I get back from NYC so I can do a good cleaning then.)

Okay. Well, Brokaw just brought me a Christmas ornament, and Michael just spoke, so I am back on duty. Two fur balls are ready to be walked and fe and someone else is ready for his pills and bowel care and shower.

I don't know how I do it all. It is definitely not always graceful.

The View From Here

2011-11-30T08:16:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our little corner of the world.

Saturday Morning Post

2011-11-26T08:32:00.000-05:00

On Saturday mornings, I pause in the quiet of the morning, sip on some hot coffee, and just let my thoughts flow onto the page. Want to join me in this joyous ritual? Link up in the comments, and feel free to save and re-post the above logo!

Check out my fancy new Saturday Morning Post logo, courtesy of Mr. Wonderful.

Happy Saturday, y'all. Go shop at a Small Business today, because it's Small Business Saturday.
As a girl who had food on the table growing up, everything she needed for school and activities like cheerleading, and a college education ALL because of her mom's hard work and successful small business, I urge you to do this.

We're going to. I wish we shopped at more small businesses. But, sadly, it's hard. Especially in a big metro area like DC to even find stuff at small businesses. Not to mention buying American. Another thing I want to do, but find it difficult. And I'm not even saying because of the prices, but because the stuff is so hard to find.

What have we done to our great country?
Okay. Starting to sound political. So, stopping now.

There's a Christmas tree in a box over across the room from me. And two plastic tubs full of ornaments. And four new boxes of lights. I say, just buy new lights every year. They're like $2.50. So worth not having the headache.

Yesterday, we went to Ikea. As I mentioned above, I'm a horrible shopper who doesn't follow her convictions: It's cheap stuff made in China, sold in a huge big box store owned by Europeans. Ahem.
Anyway. I got some cool bottles and jars and I hope to fill them with homemade goodness for our family members this Christmas.

We're so lucky, because we are both going to see our immediate families around Christmas this year. Last year, we mailed like 12 Priority Mail boxes. So, we're majorly looking forward to seeing our people.

We had to miss my family's Thanksgiving, which was a bummer because that's actually my FAVORITE holiday, and my brother-in-law and my sister always make a beautiful, bountiful feast. But, I was still sick, Michael woke up Thursday morning feeling sick, and at that point we knew it was contagious, so we didn't want to spread it. Not the kind of dessert we wanted to bring, you know?

Also, believe it or not - this is the first time Michael has gotten a cold since we got married! He has like the Fort Knox of immune systems. I guess that's what having your hands on dirty, nasty, germy wheelchair wheels will do for you. I hope he continues to get better and better. It hasn't been that bad yet. I definitely had it worse. It got in my chest, and that's what worried me about spreading it to Michael, because, I've been coughing with all I have and he can't really cough all that great, so I may or may not have worried him into the Emergency Room. Phew. Why do I do that?

So, yeah. We had a little Thanksgiving at home. Watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I made a turkey breast and all the fixin's, which we have been eating for the past couple of days. And we'll be eating Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and Cranberry Scones until March. But, it's all good.

Okay, there you go. Your Saturday Morning Post. M's still sleeping. B's not barking. So, onto my coffee, my devotions, and.... Pinterest.

Cheers.

Sick Day: no photos allowed

2011-11-22T17:45:00.000-05:00

Today is a sick day --for real. Dana picked up a sinus infection and has been feeling it since yesterday. She didn't sleep much through the night. It was pretty bad this morning too.

Days like this are especially frustrating because she still has to do the stuff to get me squared away. Since I don't have to be at a job at a particular time I can sleep in with her and wear sweats all day (jeans and slacks are hard to put on).

Sick days are quiet and lazy. Hopefully a couple of these will be enough to get her well. We are looking forward to Thanksgiving at her sister's.

Fortune Cookie

2011-11-21T18:37:00.002-05:00

I got this with my meal at Pei Wei at the Minneapolis Airport yesterday.

I'll take it.

Up In The Air

2011-11-20T19:25:00.000-05:00

Our lives have been up in the air the past few months. As I type this post, Dana is flying home from Iowa through Minneapolis. She was supposed to land an hour ago, but their plane was grounded and they had to switch to another. So we're looking at another 3 hours till she's home.

Dana, Royce, Tyler and David

These guys are her on-the-road family. She's in good hands --except when the guys are all sick. They take care of her luggage, the driving, and all of the other guy stuff. BTW, this photo is from Orlando last month, not Iowa this weekend. Still, we do miss each other when she's on the road.

We were talking about how tough it must be for these couples with a spouse travelling so much. That's the way TV news is. Then we thought about the soldiers who are deployed for 18 months. And Dana's friend, a newlywed who lives here all week and her husband lives hours away.

For the last two years we have settled into some comfortable routines. We find comfort with that day-to-day rhythm. Meals, sleep, work, personal care all flow in that predictable pattern. We joke that we're like an old couple.

The election will keep Dana on the road the next year. She will be home most of the time, but will spend a lot traveling. There will be surprises and unexpected schedule changes. So whether it's Dana in a plane or our routine, things are up in the air the next few months.

Saturday Morning Post (From Des Moines, Iowa)

2011-11-19T10:37:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all.
I didn't get a blog post out yesterday. Doh!
I was trying to make sure we had a post up every day for November, for National NaBloPoMo, but, I failed.

Oh well.
Maybe there is grace in the blogging world?

I'm sitting up in a king sized bed just outside of Des Moines, Iowa. I'm watching Paula Deen make a sweet potato cake on the Food Network, and I'm getting hungry! I'm pretty sure I have actually stayed in this very room before. We kind of come here a lot. There's this little thing called the Iowa Caucuses that is very important in the presidential nomination process. Maybe you've heard of it. It's in about 50 days or so.
I don't even know how many times I've been to Iowa over the last year, but it has been many.

And I actually don't hate it.
I mean, it is land locked.
And it's in the Central time zone.
But it's not like I have to live here.
The people are SO nice.
They SPEAK ENGLISH.
And they eat real food.
I love them!

I am so lucky that I have such a cool job. If I could give everyone on this planet something, besides Jesus, I would give them a job that they love. That they are passionate about. That doesn't feel like work. Because it is seriously the best. I love what I do.

This week, I covered a conference. A bunch of meetings and speeches may sound boring to you, but I came away from this experience very inspired on a personal level. I'm not going to go into details, because journalism is tricky like that -- keeping the personal and the professional separate -- but I will tell you...

That Condoleezza Rice is a freaking ROCK STAR.
That as I sat and listened to her speech yesterday, I downloaded her book right there in the ballroom on my Kindle. I have no picture of Condi. Sorry, folks. I was in the back corner where they put the media and all I had was my iPhone.
You can read about her remarks here.
I love that she is a sassy, smart, well rounded girl who is not afraid to like and do what she likes - even if it is super unconventional.

Also, I worked on getting some interviews with the wives of some of the GOP Presidential candidates, along with our White House Correspondent.
We talked to Mary Kaye Huntsman.

And Anita Perry.

These women were fascinating interviews. I am so lucky that I get a front row seat to get to know the candidates and their families. This is amazing access, just as a voter, you know?

I won't go into details, because we are still working on our report. (I will TRY to remember to post a link when the story is online.) But let me just say that I came out of these past few days with fresh inspiration as a wife.

I confess: I kind of wing the wife thing.

I'm not bad at it because I naturally am very goal setting, encouraging, and I'm a natural leader.

But I think just relying on my natural self and my internal compass is lazy wifing.

These women are their husbands biggest fans. They are their husband's soft place to land. When their world is shaking.

I want to be that.

Steady.

Strong.

Sure.

Our world shakes from time to time. I can be insecure, and scared, and needy and feel overwhelmed and under appreciated. Can't we all?

But, after hearing from two women whose husbands are in the gauntlet of their lives - I want to do this better. Different. Be intentional about my role as a WIFE.

Want to join me? What inspires you as a wife? How are you intentional about your role?

The Rest Of The Story

2011-11-17T17:20:00.000-05:00

Live.

Laugh.*

Love.

I am so proud of Michael for sharing from his heart yesterday. I know it wasn't easy. But look at the response we've had from you, our dear readers. His words, even the raw, painful words were real. And you felt that, right?

Thank you.

Thank you for your sweet, encouraging comments.

Thank you for the love.

Thank you for putting yourselves out there, and sharing the painful parts of what you are going through.

We all have those days.

We all plead with God.

We all want to know why, or why not or why not now? Don't we?

When we're in the middle of the storm like we were last Friday ('the storm,' such a "Christian" thing to say, isn't it? haha), it was uncomfortable. My poor husband. There was nothing I could do. Nothing I could say that would make anything better. All I could do was hold him, wipe the tears off of his face, and try to remind him that it would get better.

That night was Michael's Birthday party. He had been looking forward to it for weeks. I tried telling him, we'll get through this, I'll get you dressed, and tonight, all of your friends are going to be together, and we're going to have the best time. And your heart is going to be so full. It will be the opposite of how you feel right now.

Eventually, bless his heart, he cried it out. I cried a lot too. But, I felt strong. And normally, MICHAEL is the strong one, an I'M the one falling apart. So me being emotionally strong is not normal! I believe God works in marriages. We have seen this with our own eyes. When one of us is down, the other has super strength, that is strong enough to carry the other one. I know that strength did not come from myself. Because I too was mad right along with him. I was heartbroken. I agree that it's not fair, that he doesn't deserve this, and that it's enough already.

But, I was strong. Because I was given strength and courage.

So, I did what had to be done.

In the bathroom.

In the bed, as I wiped his tears, and got him dressed and lifted him into his wheelchair.

And though we started that day at about 3:00 in the afternoon, with puffy eyes and red cheeks, we did it together.

And by 7:00, we were laughing and joking and eating and drinking with Michael's best friends.

I was so happy looking over at him, splitting an okay pepper steak (we have become quite the little food snobs) that we had done it.

We had made it to the other side.

Together.

With a little help from our friends.

*The middle photo is us mocking our drivers license pictures. I look like a bug-eyed serial killer in my DMV photo, and Michael looks like a happily drugged guy who had a stroke. :)

Not Strong Enough

2011-11-16T17:00:00.000-05:00

Since I broke my neck people have commented on my positive spirit. There are plenty of challenges each day that go unseen. With those come discouragement and disappointment. Sharing those challenges with somebody else makes them more real.

So it is with us. Recently we've faced so many disappointments that are directly related to my disability: bum shower chair, bum old wheelchair, bum new wheelchair, bum bum. Like a flood surge overwhelms a town, these constant frustrations have overwhelmed us.

This weekend I was DONE. It was a bathroom day --the worst part of our routine. My body didn't cooperate and D had to help me. It's so very frustrating for me to sit there as my WIFE coaxes things along. We have a long list of things that have gone so bad lately. This was the last straw.

Dana got me through it and into the bed. Then I lost it. I cried uncontrollably because I felt so helpless.

For several years I was okay with this whole gig. I remember hearing people say, "God doesn't give us more than we can handle." I've heard people talk about his miracles. I've sung hymns and praise songs, prayed, shared, and sobbed. But this weekend I cried out to God because I'm not strong enough.

It's not fair. Ask anybody who has known me any amount of time. I am a good guy. Not that anybody deserves this, but not me. If there were some noble purpose in it I might consider it, but no. I hear the word "miracle" bandied about: our pastor talks about the church receiving a financial miracle (i.e., a million-dollar donation); newspeople talk about a medical miracle (i.e., successful treatment against the odds); sports fans talk about a miracle win (i.e., a lucky break).

It left me asking, "Where's MY miracle?!" People have been praying for me and believing for my miracle for seventeen years. If faith is coming to the end of myself, I'm there. It's not a headache. It's not a tumor. It's not an infection. Short of significant medical breakthrough, there is nothing any man can do to fix it. If God is able to heal my body, or anybody else's, bring it on.

When people comment about us being inspirational we wince. This is our reality: so much of this sucks. Some days are WONDERFUL; others are bareable; a few are downright heart-breaking. Most days we wrestle through the limitations and hardships that come with having or caring for someone with a disability. It affects everything:

I'm a job seeker with a disability,
we get up two hours early because I have a disability,
we cancel our plans because of my disability,
we can't go some place because it is inaccessible,
we have to get healthcare because of my disability.

Some days, like this weekend, it just comes to the point I cannot take it. I'm not strong enough to bear it all. There is nothing I can do to fix it. The one who supposedly can fix it doesn't. It hurts. It doesn't give in. It is always there. I would that it would all go away. When it doesn't, we suck it up and push through.

On Remembering to Laugh

2011-11-15T20:25:00.000-05:00

We usually go to bed between 8:00 and 9:00.
But, last night, we were up late.

And, I'm so glad we were.
Because we watched the ABC News/Diane Sawyer special about Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly.

And, it was amazing. Watch it.
It will make you laugh.
It will make you cry.
Not in that order.
You will pull for them.
You will see something that you see in yourself, even if you haven't had a tragic brain injury or other major bodily injury or physical challenge.
This is the tough stuff of love.
This is the story of love winning.
This is the love story we all want to have, without the hard part.

God bless Gabby and Mark. I wish them a full recovery, more good days than bad, and children. Really, really cute, healthy little children.
May they never stop laughing.
I need to remember that.
You do have to laugh, don't you? Or, you'll never make it.


This is what is set up on our bedside table right now. :(

We have our own little health challenge right now. It's not a big deal. Not yet, anyway. Let's hope it stays that way. You remember, I'm a Stager, right? This is the stuff that is staged so that I can take care of our little problem.

I would really appreciate it if this little problem understands that I have to travel to Iowa on Friday, and I have to leave my husband in someone else's care for a couple of nights, so it needs to get better, STAT, mmkay?

Too bad it doesn't work like that. If I could patch this whole thing up and put some Neosporin on it and make it go away, I obviously would have done that a million years ago. But, I can't. I hate having to realize this over and over.

And, yet, I still try to control it. I still try to heal the little things in 48 hours so I can leave and not feel guilty. So I don't have to trust anyone else. Because I suck at that. I admit it. Totally suck.

But you know what I learned a long time ago? When I was a kid? Quitters never win. Winners never quit. And, just because I technically have no control over this little issue, doesn't mean I'm not going down without a fight.

It will be okay. Don't think this is a big huge deal (this is mainly a disclaimer for our families, namely, my mom who is the biggest worrier on the planet). It's not. It's a tiny deal. But, it's a deal.

If Gabby Giffords can get shot in the head and learn how to speak and talk again, we can handle this little situation. And maybe not laugh about it, directly, but laugh, none the less.

10 Random Things

2011-11-14T18:19:00.002-05:00

1. I went to the White House today, it never stops being cool.
2. I wish I could get the time back that commuting costs me. I wish I could fix dinner while I was on the metro.
3. I have heard from two people in the last two days who found our blog and have similar situations (one able bodied spouse or partner and one disabled). You are a big part of why we lay our junk out there. Thanks for contacting us!
4. My nephew's birthday is Friday. Why are all nephew cards super lame?
5. I had writer's block today. My usual cures, Matchbox 20 and a latte' helped. Phew!
6. I am eager to see our families for the Holidays, can't wait to get some solid plans set!
7. I wish my eyebrows would wax themselves. I don't have time to deal with them!
8. I am headed back to Iowa on Friday. I am looking forward to a few days on the campaign trail, but I will miss my Michael. I may or may not have been having political withdrawals.
9. I love people (especially in the customer service profession) who speak English. I love you.
10. I wish I was a better blogger and that I wasn't literally phoning this post in.

Maybe I will do better tomorrow.

Birthday Weekend Together

2011-11-13T18:13:00.000-05:00

Birthday basket from Dana

For my birthday this week Dana gave me a gift basket. It was the perfect gift. She went to World Market and bought things she knew I'd enjoy:

Assorted beer
Bailey's chocolates
Ginger chews
Danish cookies
Assorted teas, and
Carr's crackers

Then, Friday night she invited several friends to dinner at a local sports bar. The eight of us had a great time sharing appetizers and stories. We had great food and drinks.

But, the most memorable thing for me was after dinner she asked if I wanted to go to the piano bar at National Harbor. This was after she had already done so much. Just her and me going to a silly piano bar. We were there with a bunch more folks singing along to old hits and favorites as these two piano players kept us entertained.

Dana knows what makes me smile.

Saturday Morning Post

2011-11-12T10:28:00.001-05:00

Well.
It feels like it's been a while since I've been here on a Saturday morning, with my coffee and my recipe magazines and my thoughts and my computer screen.
How sweet it is!

A few thoughts about yesterday.
11.11.11.
That is just crazy. My sister loves the number 11, so I thought of her all day long.

It was Veterans Day. I am so proud to say that both of my grandfathers, my dad and now my brother are Veterans. I am proud of their service and sacrifice and honored to be a part of a family with such a history of military service.

I am also so proud and thankful for our Wounded Warriors that we are getting to know now, as they recover from their life changing injuries. They are truly amazing guys! I am speaking of Derek McConnell and Chaz Allen, specifically.

Quickly, on that - we are still making meals and delivering them to Walter Reed Bethesda pretty much every weekend. I want to say a huge THANK YOU to those of you that have supported us with grocery store gift cards! I am hoping to connect with more Wounded Warrior families soon, and see if I can provide them or their families with meals, too. Jessica Allen, wife of Chaz who is one of our courageous Wounded Warrior Vets, also has some ways you can help on her blog (see links below). Jessica is a firecracker, and a get-it-done kind of girl. She's also a great writer, so check out their story!

You can help with household items or care packages.

Here is a little tease. Don't say I didn't warn you on getting some tissues.

I *love* this song! You may remember me posting about it last year.

When I first met Jessica, she said something that really stuck with me. Anyone who has been reading this blog knows that I have a history of battling with my pride, and accepting help from others. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for us, or for Michael. I don't want to be anyone's hero and Michael doesn't want to be anyone's inspiration. But, it happens.

Jessica was telling me about someone offering something to them after Chaz's injury - I don't remember what it is - but she said she was like, "Don't do this because you feel sorry for us. Don't do this because my husband stepped on an IED and lost his legs. Do this because you think we are awesome, and we are rocking this thing out."

I. loved. that. idea.
Don't step in and help or think we are an inspiration because you feel sorry for us. Or because when you see us, you automatically think, "I could never do that." Because you probably could. Love is a very powerful thing! Step in and help or think we are cool because we are doing this. We are rocking it out. Offer to help or give us props because you want to join in on that energy that is simply rocking something out.

Thank you, Jessica, for opening my eyes to experiencing a challenge in that way.

Birthday Buns

2011-11-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

Today is my Michael's birthday. (The first 30 candles are implied.) Cinnamon buns and birthday candles have become a tradition in our house for his birthday. I got the idea from seeing a friend's Facebook pictures a few years ago. It's a fun way to start the celebrations! This is our third set of birthdays since we got married, and it's a great feeling to feel like we are actually settling into our own traditions.

I am so glad this guy was born.
I am so glad he married me.
I am so glad that he will always be older than me. :)
And that on his birthday, I also get to enjoy birthday buns and cake.

Michael, I love you even more than icing.
I hope you enjoy every moment of your day.

Some Trees Look Like Fire

2011-11-09T18:32:00.000-05:00

I took these pictures of a few trees in our apartment complex today, as I was heading into work. I can't decide which shade of the fall colors I like best. The yellow and fire-orange ones are tied. I'm leaning toward orange, though.

I love Fall, I really do. It is so beautiful. I love the leaves, and all things pumpkin, and all of the fall candle scents. And I like boots.
But, I just don't like what Fall leads to... you know... it's a slippery slope to... WINTER.
Ack! I don't usually curse on this blog, it's a family blog, you know.
My denial of cooler temperatures was able to continue today because it was almost 70 degrees.
I have not packed away my flip flops yet.
But soon. Soon socks will be a daily must. Soon, I will be wearing black pants every day for 4 months. Soon the Metro will be more packed because of commuters in heavy coats.

But that's okay. At least there are Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Gingerbread Lattes. And I do love Thanksgiving and Christmas is okay.

There you have it. There's my little Fall pep talk.
Does anyone else want to enjoy it until Christmas, then take a nap, and wake up to Cherry Blossom time in April?
Let's do it.

Love Is...

2011-11-08T05:09:00.000-05:00

It's before 5:00am and I'm sitting in my blue chair in the living room, watching the morning weather, wincing through the "news" about Michael Jackson's doctor, and absorbing heat from a heating pad on my neck. I woke up with a crick (sp?) in my neck yesterday and it still hurts! Ouch.

I've been reading "Crazy Love," by Francis Chan. If you ever want to feel like you are a horrible Christian, get this book! I say that in a good way. He really challenges us to step up and live our faith, not just talk about it and not just phone it in.

Yesterday, I read where Mr. Chan suggested you take 1 Corinthians 13, you know, the one famously quoted in weddings.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not
delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres."

Mr. Chan suggests looking at this a different way, replacing the word "Love," with your name. So for me it would be "Dana is patient, Dana is kind... She does not envy..."

So, I read it like that.
And I almost fell on my knees reading my Kindle, right there on the metro.

I am NOT patient. I am only SOMETIMES kind. I DO envy, all the time! I do boast. I am so proud, I do not even like to accept help from anyone. Okay, I don't think I really dishonor others, but I can be totally self seeking, I have recently been more easily angered (especially at my poor husband!) I can keep a record of wrongs (don't even ask me about my birthday) I doubt trust, give up hope and want to give up sometimes.

Wow. What an awesome wife, huh? I was feeling really convicted when I realized all of this. But, I'm thankful for that conviction. So, this is my repentance. The truth is, I know I cannot love like this (pardon me, that was not on purpose!) on my own. I need Jesus to pull this off!

The View From Here

2011-11-07T11:18:00.001-05:00

I am the only girl in a row of reporters at GOP Presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann's speech this morning.

Anybody Want to Buy Me a Prize?

2011-11-06T17:34:00.002-05:00

A ponied of Starbucks Thanksgiving Blend sure would put a smile on my face! I love that stuff! Christmas Blend is my ultimate favorite though, can't wait until they stock that soon! I saw a bunch of boxes being delivered to one of my Starbucks the other day, so hopefully very soon!

Sick

2011-11-05T23:59:00.002-04:00

I felt it coming on for a few days, and today, I have officially been sick.

I spent something like 8 hours in my blue chair watching Hulu today.

Thankful for a husband who takes good care of me, though!

Michael has been making me peppermint tea, rubbing my head and neck with his wrist and his shoulder, bringing me hot rags, and taking care of the dogs.

You might think by looking at us, that I do a lot of caregiving. Yes, I do. But the giving of care works both ways around here, and I bet you he puts a lot of husbands, paralyzed or not, to shame.

Extreme Coupon Guilt

2011-11-04T05:19:00.000-04:00

Over the last year, I have really gotten the hang of using coupons to shop. I wouldn't call myself an extreme couponer or anything like that, but I have saved a significant amount of money.

After so much travel lately, I missed renewing my subscription to the Sunday Washington Post, and I just don't feel like I have it in myself to clip, organize, and shop according to double coupon sales.

So. I did it. I shopped without coupons And I even did all of my shopping for the week in one place. I bought a lot of generics. I got through it, but I felt extreme coupon guilt!

Not fair!

Let Me Tell You About Today

2011-11-03T20:14:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning, really excited about the day. It was going to be a big day.
I was going to have the privilege of sitting at the Head Table for the National Press Club luncheon today.
Oh, let me mention, the speaker was going to be TOM BROKAW.

Yeah. Like that Brokaw.

But first, I went to work like any normal day, except when I got there to tape our show today, I had to run Playback. Read: I had to roll the soundbites for our show. Which was kind of hilarious because I do not do math well, and am not very technical.

But, miraculously, I didn't screw up! Yay me.
After that, I hopped in a cab, and headed over to the Press Club! I tried to do something with my hair in the cab, but it was a flat mess. Oh well.
When I got there, I was so thrilled to see my old friend, Charlitta, at the pre-luncheon reception! We were camera/stalking buddies as Mr. Brokaw entered the room. I took a picture for Charlitta, but I was told since I was at the head table, to wait. I was nervous I wasn't going to get a picture with Tom Brokaw, but I did! Yay. Check!

Too bad I was having a flat hair/fat face, but as previously, discussed, whatever! I met Tom Brokaw one other time at the White House, and told him about Brokaw the dog, and he got a kick out of it. So, I reminded him of my Brokaw today, and again, he was amused :)

When the President of the Press Club was introducing the Head Table, he introduced me as the White House Producer for CBN News and the owner of a dog named Brokaw, no disrespect. The crowed laughed, and clapped and I tried to explain to everybody that naming my dog after Mr. Brokaw was a good thing! I thought for sure, when he stepped up to the microphone, that he would say something about my Brokaw.

But, unfortunately, you know who was seated two seats down from me? Freaking Walter Cronkite IV! Yeah, as in THE Walter Cronkite's grandson! So, when Tom stepped up to the mic, he shared a couple of funny stories about Walter Cronkite II. Oh well.

I really, really enjoyed Mr. Brokaw's speech. He spoke about the theme of his new book, and talked a little bit about education, and how journalism has changed, and the nerd that I am, yes, I took notes right there on my iPhone.

And, I took a picture of my cupcake.

And, then I ate it. What a COOL lunch, right?
Charlitta gave me a ride back to work, where I pinched myself for the rest of the day, as I performed inbox maintenance, thought about the next couple of Presidential debates, and imported the discs from the show we shot today.

Then, my friend Sarah sent me the picture of me with Tom Brokaw, and I had flashbacks of being a little girl, and watching his live report on the Berlin Wall coming down. Flashbacks of being a 6:00pm producer in a small market, who would always stay in the control room for an extra minute after my show was over to watch the headlines for Nightly News. My dream job (I thought at the time) was to be the producer who put those headlines together! Tom Brokaw is one of my major professional inspirations. When I got my dog, I got a boy dog so that I could name him BROKAW.

Wow.
This afternoon, I drove home, anticipating a yummy dinner because, as Michael wrote yesterday, tonight was National Men Make Dinner Day or something like that. All I knew this morning was that I was asked to get some angel hair pasta out of the pantry, and take some shrimp down from the freezer to thaw.

He had me at shrimp.
House smelled amazing when I got home.

And somebody was real proud.
With good reason.

Y-U-M.
Almost as good as dinner, was the really, really cute proud smile Michael had on his face. So sweet.
What a great day!
And it's ALMOST Friday!!!!

Impromptu Pizza Night

2011-11-02T18:30:00.000-04:00

We love pizza! It isn't often we eat out or order in. When we can have fresh, home-cooked meals we really prefer it. You all know what a great cook Dana is. We love food. Sometimes, ordering in is a necessity.

Last night Dana came home late from work. She's catching up on things after traveling so much. When she called me on the way home I knew she was exhausted. She asked if I was okay having left over beans and biscuits for dinner because nothing was thawed. I knew two things: she didn't want beans and she didn't want to cook.

So, Mr. Wonderful put two and two together and offered to order pizza. Hey, I'm not perfect, but every now and then I get a hit. Sometimes it really surprises me how the smallest gestures make a big deal. It's listening for the clues that helps know when to swing and when to bunt.

Thursday is Men Make Dinner Day, so it looks like I'll go for a hit.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

2011-11-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

Today, I had a very transportation-filled day.
First, I drove to the metro.
Then, I took the metro to the airport to cover a story.
Then, I took a cab back to work, where I wrote a story about the new statue unveiled today at Reagan National Airport of President Reagan, and his contributions to transportation.

Bob and Elizabeth Dole were there, too.
It was nice to see them.
Wow, a lot of history in that couple!

The Reagan statue is 9 feet tall - the Doles have not been shrunken by "Honey I Shrunk The Kids."

I thought about taking a boat home, but that would've only gotten me so far :)

Seriously, though. How fun is my job? Yesterday, I wrote a story about Herman Cain, today I stood outside in the sunshine at the airport, then enjoyed a bagel inside at one of my favorite bagel places that I can't usually enjoy because I am usually at the airport at 5:00am on a Saturday, and Einstein Bros. is BEFORE security! Tomorrow, I'll cover the President's speech at a local bridge, Thursday, we'll tape our show, I'm going to a luncheon at the National Press Club with TOM BROKAW!!!! And then I'll work on a story about religion and the 2012 race.

I get paid for this! Life is so good. Dreams do come true. Sorry to be cliche' but it's true!

On Halloween, and October, and Moving On

2011-10-31T05:18:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween, y'all.
I remember talking to my sister and brother in law on the phone last Halloween. They had the boys all dressed up for trick-or-treating. It was a Sunday.
We were being super lame, eating chili, and watching football at home, and I was clipping coupons. We didn't even hand out candy.

I thought then, why are we being such Halloween grouches? And, I determined to be more festive this year.
Can you believe I haven't EVER carved a pumpkin? (To be clear, this just wasn't a tradition in my house growing up, probably because it's messy, not because I have a long history of being a Halloween grouch) Well, one year I kind of supervised a pumpkin carving at a church event, but still, I've never actually done it.

Well, my dreams of super-festive October just didn't happen this year. I think I was home all of like 10 days in October. I wasn't home for my birthday, and we (as a couple) never celebrated. My attempts to go apple picking and pumpkin picking also never happened. My dreams of making homemade apple butter will have to wait until November. There is hope for this weekend.

All of this has made me pretty bummed out! But, oh well. Life goes on. Tonight, we have half a bowl of candy (oops!) to hand out to our neighborhood kids. The dogs love the kids in our neighborhood. And I'm looking forward to seeing them in their costumes.

Next weekend, we'll try again for apples. I'm done with the pumpkins.

I was thinking about Halloween this morning. And, I remembered two Halloweens that have been worse than this one. I believe that comparison is not the best medicine or coping mechanism, but I feel like it's a little more fair if you just compare yourself to yourself.

This story will make my friend Eric very happy. I think it's his favorite Dana story of all time. It is not my favorite, but it is funny...

It was Halloween 1988 (circa). I was the new kid at school. At my old school, all the kids dressed up on Halloween. I didn't pay attention the day they said not to dress up. So, my mom did my full clown makeup before school that day, handed me a dozen or so cupcakes bought from Bi-Lo, and sent me to the bus stop. That's when it happened. I saw the bus come down Sparrow Road. I had really good farsight back then, at my ripe age of like 8 years old, and I realized that NONE of the other kids were dressed up.
Thankfully, I had awesome reflexes. I dropped my store bought cupcakes and my book bag right there on the roots of the tree I stood under to wait for my bus, and I ran. I never even looked back. I ran straight to my front door, hyperventilating. My mom held me while I cried my clown makeup off, washed my face, went back to the bus stop and picked up my book bag, stopped by Bi-Lo for new cupcakes, and drove me to school. She told me it was going to be okay.

I really didn't believe her. But, I had no choice. I had to keep going.

I know it sounds silly to look back on the month of October all emo and sulky, especially because there are people dealing with way worse/heavy stuff in comparison, but trust me, it has been a little tough around here.

So. Happy Halloween, y'all. At least there's chocolate. And tomorrow, we'll toast November.

The Most Uninspired Post, Ever.

2011-10-29T18:16:00.000-04:00

Hello, my dear readers.
Bless your hearts for hanging on with us this month.

You know that the past two months have been crazy busy for me, right? I think I've mentioned that. :)
I was in the office all of two days in the month of September.
I'll be in the office Monday, for the second time in October, and it's the 31st.

I haven't had much time to myself.
Not much time to gather my thoughts, to let them wander, and end up with a bunch of brilliant blog post ideas.
So, that's that.

Miraculously, you have still visited, and clicked here and there, and for that, I am grateful.

I almost always chuckle at the random Google searches that lead you here.
For example, the top searches for the past week:

1. Dana Brown Ritter
2. Homemade Christmas Gifts
3. Apple Crisp Recipe Paula Deen
4. Joni and Friends paintings
5. Paralyzed husband
6. Puggle in pumpkin costume
7. Baby handoff
8. Dana Perino
9. danabrownritter
10. dog flash eyes

I am happy to bring you the most random content on the planet.

And now, a reward for staying tuned... Brokaw in his Halloween costume in 2008. That was the last time he dressed up for Halloween. After that, I was engaged and planning a wedding, then a newlywed, and this year, same story. What can I say, when budgets are tight, the dog costumes just don't make it on the shopping list.

The View From Here

2011-10-26T16:46:00.001-04:00

I am home!! I am on my way to the grocery stores (I almost always go to more than one) and I noticed the pretty Virginia leaves changing. Looking forward to our drive out to the Shenandoah Valley this week!

The View From Here

2011-10-24T16:14:00.000-04:00

Okay, well, technically this isn't the view from here, but it's pretty much the same view - but right now, I'm on the other side of the plane, and it's full sun, not sunset.

I have been traveling almost non-stop for the past month and a half. I hope you forgive me for my lack of blogging. I'm hoping to have some time at home with the Hubs later this week, I'm looking forward to that.

Today is My Birthday

2011-10-19T11:50:00.000-04:00

Today is my birthday.
In about 15 minutes, my phone will ring.
At exactly 11:28am Eastern.
It will be my mom, to re-live the experience that brought me onto the scene, and made her a Mom.
I love that little tradition.

I feel a little off this birthday, because I'm in Vegas for work. And I'm in this funky time zone. I'm not a big fan of other time zones. When I'm in Pacific time, I still pretend that I'm in Eastern time.

So, technically, I turned 32 in a press filing center outside of the Western GOP Debate. That's pretty cool. It was a great debate. I love covering this stuff! I'm a 32 year old nerd.

I will celebrate with Michael, when I get home.
But, this year, I want the birthday celebrations to continue way after my birthday!

I have been profoundly impacted by our recent visit to and contact with my brother's friend who is recovering at Walter Reed. Michael and I really feel like God is stirring in us something He wants us to do to help families who are standing by their soldiers in these difficult times.

I can't bring my brother or anyone else home from Afghanistan. I can't patch up war wounds.
But, I can chop vegetables...

I can put a chicken breast in a pot...

I can saute' stuff...

I can cook. In fact, I LOVE to cook!

And, I can package food up like any good church lady can...

And, I can provide good, healthy, home cooked meals to the moms, girlfriends, brothers and sisters, and/or kids of these soldiers who are in the hospital at Walter Reed - only about 40 minutes from my house - who are essentially deployed right now. Helping their wounded warriors recover, as they face hospitalizations that are months long.

In some cases, they can't leave that bedside at all. So, what? They exist on hospital food or vending machines or McDonald's? Not that there's anything wrong with McDonald's, I love me some McDonald's.

But, the point is, there is a lot they are missing. There is a lot that they simply can't do right now as they acclimate to the role of caregiver. I want to help! This is just the first way. I'm praying that there will be ways that Michael and I can be used to reach out to these families, especially couples who are new to disability. It can be a lot to bear in a marriage, but it's not impossible.

So, if you'd like to wish me a Happy Birthday, thank you! I ask you to think about what you can do to join me in this project. One very practical way is sending gift cards to grocery stores. Michael and I have the heart to do this, but just being honest, on a practical level - we live on one income. There isn't a lot of room in the grocery budget if you know what I mean.

Here are the stores in our area:
Harris Teeter
Wegmans
Trader Joe's
Shoppers
Giant
Safeway
Aldi
Target

I also welcome any meal ideas you may have, or recipes you want me to make with the gift card that you provide!
If you live in the DC area, you could make meals and drop them off with us. We have a big freezer. :) We can pack them up and take them to Walter Reed.

Thanks so much y'all. It is a Happy Birthday indeed.
I have everything I need.
Pretty much everything I want.
The best husband in the world.
A job that doesn't feel like a job.
And a family that I love and that loves me so much.
This is definitely a time to give instead of get.

I Want to Work at a Farmer's Market

2011-10-16T09:45:00.001-04:00

I took this picture last week in New Hampshire, at a Farmer's Market we stumbled upon while we were shooting a story about the economy, and the upcoming election.

Let me get this straight right off the bat: I am currently working at my dream job. My ultimate goal was always to cover the White House. I've done that. I've sat in the seat in the briefing room, attended Presidential press conferences, and visits of foreign leaders. Now, my life is focused on covering the race for the White House in 2012, and I've been following the GOP candidates around the country since January. It is so much fun! And I am LOVING it.

But, there's something romantic about a Farmer's Market. My eyes open a little brighter. I see the colors of the fresh produce, I smell the home made baked goods, and I want to touch all of the beaded necklaces and bracelets and what not made by hand.

It's like stepping into Etsy, live!

One day, probably not until I'm an old retired lady, I totally want a booth at a Farmer's Market. I don't know what I will sell. Not produce, I'm not so good with plants. Probably homemade bread, and jams, yum! It would be so much fun to set up a little booth, have a cute little sign, and do something totally on my own.

I'd never get rich at it, though. (Not that I'm ever going to get rich being a journalist.) I am my mother's daughter in my spirit to create and do things on my own. But, I am not a born businesswoman.

Ah, maybe someday. Maybe someday, I could make and sell my own stuff. And write about it, of course.

The View From Here

2011-10-16T09:28:00.002-04:00

Mr. Puggles seemed to enjoy all of the smells coming out of the kitchen yesterday. Drool fest.

Saturday Morning Post

2011-10-15T08:52:00.000-04:00

Hi.
I know it has been a while since I've done a Saturday Morning Post. Well, it's been a while since I've had this quiet Saturday morning time alone!

I am home for about 3 days before I leave for Vegas. Then, I'll be home for A day, then leave again for Iowa. September and October have been complete craziness as far as the travel goes.

So, I'm looking forward to November.

I am thinking about our Student Ministry this weekend, because they are on their getaway (our church's first ever!) and I am not with them. I hate missing things! But, I leaned on Michael's wisdom for this one. And he knows me, he knows what I need better than I know myself sometimes, and he suggested I stay home this weekend.

So, here I am. And he was right, I needed the rest. And we needed the time together.

We went on date night last night, thanks to an Entertainment coupon book he bought from a neighbor kid while I was away. I love coupons! :)

We went to a restaurant we'd never been to before, close to home. The food really wasn't great at all. But the date was wonderful! Are we the only nerds who have one drink on a date, then walk around a farmer's market, shop separately at Ross and a music store, then buy a couple of new candles at Bath & Body Works, before coming home and watching three episodes of Parenthood and falling asleep in the chair? (the falling asleep in the chair part would be me.)

Whatever. It's so us. And I happen to love right where we are right now.

I love dreaming about the future, too. Last night, as we drifted off to sleep, we talked about my birthday, which is coming up next week, and that somehow led to baby talk. We aren't close, yet. But you know, in the next couple of years!! There is a lot of uncertainty about how we'll get there, but we'll get there "one way or another," and I can't wait to experience that, together.

We joked that we'll have a head start on other couples in the teamwork department. And, in the 'dealing with poop' department.

It was fun to talk about, think about, and imagine the day... But, right now, it's nice to decide to have date night whenever we want, stay up until 1:00am watching Netflix, and have an office. :)

Today, we're going to clean this apartment (well, today or tomorrow) and COOK. I busted out a bunch of recipe magazines for some fresh ideas to cook for us and some pretty special people.

P.S. confession: I totally cut and highlighted my own hair in my bathroom yesterday.

A Picture of Love and Sacrifice

2011-10-13T09:00:00.007-04:00

Last week, my brother, my dad, and my sister road tripped it from Virginia Beach up to DC. Our little family spent the day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (a.k.a "the new Walter Reed")

Our objective: To visit PFC Derek McConnell. Derek is a buddy of Chris's who was severely wounded by an IED in Afghanistan, in July.

I will never forget the phone call. The blast happened close to Chris. Derek means a lot to Chris. The day after that explosion, when I sat in my office, on the phone with my little brother, I could hear how freaked out he was in his voice. He sounded sad. And terrified. And that was the first time I ever heard it in his voice. It probably wasn't the first time he felt that way, but it was the first time I could tell.

I hung up the phone, and started crying, right there in the newsroom.

A couple of days later, I found this Facebook page, Prayers for Derek McConnell.

And I started praying for this guy, every day.

Then, I found his mother, Siobhan's blog on Caring Bridge.

She shares a daily journal of how Derek is doing, life at the hospital with her one-day-to-be daughter-in-law/Derek's incredibly cute and full of love girlfriend, Krystina. I never miss a day of reading it. I have prayed so much for this family, emailed back and forth with them, and read every single update, I felt like I already knew them.

I recognized them in the hallway when we got there. Chris walked into Derek's room first. The rest of us wanted to respect Derek and his family's wishes, and just be there for support. We didn't want to crowd up the room, but we were invited in.

"Sgt. Brown," I heard Derek say. And I watched my little brother, who I know is generally incredibly uncomfortable in hospital situations not be a guy who is freaked out by a bunch of medical stuff, but as a SGT leading a PFC. "McConnell," Chris said, as he went in.

We greeted Derek's mom and girlfriend in the hallway for a bit while he and Chris visited.

Siobhan gave me permission to take a few pictures. It was hard for me to get Derek's face in the picture because I'm so short, and I couldn't see over the foam supporting his arm. (He had just had surgery on it the day before) Derek's girlfriend, Krystina, is a major Steelers fan, so I joked that it looked like Derek had a Packers Cheesehead in a head lock!

Chris brought Derek a flag from Afghanistan that all of the guys, except the ones who were on leave at the time (and they visited Derek when they were home, too) signed, in dedication to him. Derek was asking about where particular soldiers signed it, and Chris pointed that out, as Derek's mom hung the flag up in his hospital room. Chris signed another Army flag that hangs for visitors to sign.

I was struck by so much in that small hospital room that day. Struck by the power of love. The love of a mother to write every single thing down in a notebook, to follow doctors' and nurses' actions so attentively because she wants her son to get 100% the best care possible. Struck by the love of a girlfriend who dropped out of school and quit her job to stand by her soldier through this trial. These two women are so strong and amazing. They haven't been home to New Jersey since July. They love Derek with all they are, and they love each other, and being around that kind of love is just flat out inspirational. I said it. And I wouldn't mess with either one of them, either! :) They're small, but they are feisty!

Chris also gave Derek his camo Army ball cap.

The other thing I was struck by in that hospital room was the sacrifice. Here was a 21 year old guy, with no legs. The bottom of the bed - empty. The sacrifice he has made was profoundly obvious. Then, I thought about the sacrifices his girlfriend has made, putting off school and work. And his mom, a single mother of 5 kids, here for months. His brothers and sister are sacrificing. His unit, still fighting in Afghanistan, is sacrificing without him there to fight with them. The doctors and nurses... the list of sacrifice goes on and on and on.

And Derek is not the only guy in this position. Walter Reed is filled with American soldiers who are making life altering sacrifices. I was moved by seeing this in person, with my own eyes. You don't see these stories on the news as often as you should. I think the print media has done a better job than TV. The Huffington Post and the Washington Post have done stories. And, recently Scott Pelley of CBS News spent a week filing stories with my brother's unit in Afghanistan.

But this kind of love, this kind of sacrifice, it's a story. And I am profoundly grateful. I have to do something. For this family, it will be meals. Let me know if you want to help with that!

But there is something stirring in my heart. Especially for these young couples, like Derek and Krystina, and Rebecca and Dan who Michael wrote about yesterday. I'm wondering if there is anything Michael and I can do to help these young couples new to disability. I know it's not the same. But, I just wonder if this is a place God would want to use us. We are available, Lord.

Welcoming My Soldier Home

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

The background of my computer is my brother's Army picture, as such.

Often, when I'm working on my computer on a plane, a stranger will lean over, and ask me if this is my husband. I explain, no, he's not my husband, he's my little brother, and he's serving in Afghanistan right now. They tell me to thank him. He is my soldier.

A little over a week ago, I got to do one of the coolest things I have experienced. Welcome my soldier home.

We were totally that family at Norfolk International Airport.

You know, the one with the giant American flag balloons...

The paparazzi...

And the crying, clapping crowd.

Would you believe, when Chris got off that plane, and saw us standing there with balloons, a big "Welcome Home Chris" sign, and a lot of his friends and his whole family... he started walking into Starbucks like he didn't know us!?!?! My mom pretty much started to chase him down.

My favorite part of the whole thing - hearing so many people in the airport start clapping. They saw what was happening, and put their bags down and put their hands together for SGT Chris Brown!! I couldn't have been prouder of my brother.

There were lots of hugs and kisses at the airport. Then, there was some celebrating at a restaurant afterwards. And more the next morning...

This is Chris watching the video I made for his 30th birthday, which happened in August when he was in Afghanistan. I loved watching him watch it for the first time!

The time we got to spend together was priceless. I got to see him some more a few days after his big homecoming. More on that, soon.

Please continue to pray for Chris and all of his men. Chris has to go back to Afghanistan too soon, for 6 MORE MONTHS, ugh. His guys are all cycling through their leave right now. Please pray for all of them that they are rested, refreshed and encouraged and ready to get through the rest of this deployment!

A Wounded Soldier's Story

2011-10-11T08:40:00.001-04:00

Click here to read the story from Sunday's Washington Post

In Sunday's Washington Post, we read the story of another couple facing the challenges of disability. He was a lieutenant in the Army serving in Afghanistan when he was blown up by an IED. They barely knew each other before he was deployed overseas. When she saw him next he had lost both legs.

Rebecca and Dan have been through ongoing rehab along with special dinners honoring wounded and fallen soldiers. They also face the challenges of everyday life. Both are making plans for their futures.

As we meet and hear the stories of other couples with a disabled spouse we realize two things. One is we aren't alone. So many others are going through the things we are. The other is we have opportunities to really help others. Despite anything we may feel, our lives --ups and downs-- are out there so people can grow.

Horizons

2011-10-07T05:21:00.001-04:00

I love the beach. I love the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. I love the smell. And I love seeing the horizon. Mostly because it makes me feel small, makes me remember there is a big God in control of this big world, and somehow, it's all going to be okay.

He's got this.
When I'm overwhelmed and exhausted, He's got this.
When I'm worried about my brother, or my husband, or how I'm going to get everything done that needs to be done in the next month, while also traveling to New Hampshire, Las Vegas and Iowa, He's got this.
When my heart breaks for the young men and women who have given life and limbs and their way of life, because of this war in Afghanistan, He's got this.

The waves will keep coming.
But, there is peace in remembering the horizon.

Lord, thank you for your new mercies this morning. We need them!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-10-05T14:30:00.000-04:00

Chocolate Chip Cookies are probably my favorite food group. Every now and then, though, I want them to be Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I found this recipe from my good friend, Betty, the other day. And, all I can say is YUM!

Here's what you need:
1.5 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup nuts (I used walnuts)

What you do:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a big mixing bowl, stir together the brown sugar and butter.

Lick your spatula. Mmm.

Add the vanilla and the egg.

Then, the oats.

Then the flour, baking soda and salt.

And finally, the chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop the cookies, by spoonful on to an un-greased baking sheet.

I have no idea how many cookies this makes, but let's just say we had about a dozen for ourselves, we gave about a dozen to our neighbors, and still had dough left to freeze.

I give this recipe an A+. It's easy, it doesn't require any crazy ingredients, and the dough freezes well.

Enjoy with a cold glass of milk!

The View From Here

2011-10-05T08:33:00.000-04:00

Every night, before we go to bed, Michael takes the dogs out, then gives them treats. He has to entertain Brokaw, so B doesn't go after Princess's treats. Here he is, "dancing."

A Quick trip to Lynchburg

2011-10-05T08:06:00.000-04:00

Also, at some point recently (I believe this was last week), I road tripped it down to Liberty University, where I went to college, to cover Rep. Michele Bachmann's speech to students there.

It was pretty surreal to be in the Vines Center, as a working professional, and not as a freshman sitting in Section 121, trying to remember if I made my bed that morning, and if I was going to pass room checks or not. I saw some old friends, and loved that! This guy below, we used to work together at WSLS when we were both pretty much children. I don't know why, but someone let us put together the weekend news. Great to see you, Tim! Are we really this grown up?

I saw some other friends who were literally children the last time I saw them! Shout out to Jessica and Amanda!

And Gooz - who brought me some Iced Coffee swag. Definitely owe you one!

I actually had a couple of COMS students approach me for advice, both of which I told my #1 piece of journalism advice to - "Be a stalker."

Bachmann's theme for her convocation speech was "Don't settle." It ended up being a re-launch of sorts, for her campaign. My favorite White House Correspondent, the lovely and talented Jennifer Wishon scored an exclusive interview with Bachmann, backstage.

We ate lunch at Macado's, and wrote our story.

Then, I had a Milton Milkshake, and drove back to DC.

One of the best things about going to and from Lynchburg (other than the Milton Milkshake and the sweet mems of college life) is the drive. It's a beautiful drive.

On Seeing Old Friends

2011-10-04T17:22:00.000-04:00

So nice to catch up with Jennifer Petterec after oh, about 11 years!

When I was in Orlando, I was lucky enough to catch up with some old friends from college. One night, I got to see Jimmy and Jennifer Petterec. I was on YouthQuest with Jimmy and Jen, and I remember them back in the day when they were just falling in love! Now, they've been married for 10 years, have two adorable kids, and have been in Youth Ministry for years. I really enjoyed laughing with them about 90s fashion, old memories, and hearing what God has done in their lives and marriage over the last decade. I also leaned in as they shared their experiences with youth ministry, since I'm back in the game on that. If you want some awesome recipe ideas and home decorating tips, check out Jennifer's blog.

I also got to see Reece and Erin Mashaw. I knew Reece in high school. He was actually a very important friend at a very important time in my life. I was a brand spanking new Christian, and Reece was my best friend. I learned so much about the Bible from him, and I respected him for being a quiet leader in our youth group, and just an all around nice guy who gave pretty much everyone a chance. He was also my Prom date. I got to know Erin also on YouthQuest. She can sing her tail off and is also one of the funniest girls I've ever met! :) They too have been married for a while, and have two adorable kids. And, get this - she's pregnant with TWINS. You should definitely check out Reece's blog, he writes about life in a way that reminds me of Francis Chan, so be ready to open your eyes and get your spiritual butt kicked every now and then. I loved catching up with them, and hearing their story of the twists and turns of life and family and ministry.

I came away from both of these visits with old friends with a deep sense of gratitude. I am friends with some awesome people who really love and serve the Lord. I realize now that I totally took that for granted when I was at Liberty, especially on YouthQuest. I think back to this amazing group of people, many of whom I'm still friends with, and I have to wonder - will I ever again be a part of such a great community?

I find it's harder to make friends as an adult. Maybe it's just me. Maybe it's because when you're a kid, or a college student, there's a level playing field, everybody is at the same place you are in life, for the most part. But as adults, everything varies. Some people have jobs, some people don't. Some people are married, some have kids, some are unhappily married, some can't have kids and are full of sorrow, some are divorced, some have older kids, or babies, or jobs they hate, or they move away. It's all different.

I have friends in my current community. At work. At church. Even here in the apartment complex where we live. But my best friend on the planet.... lives in Thailand. And, I miss her dearly.

I have a history of being serial monogamous with my best friends. And, honestly, right now, I'm lonely. I miss having those close knit friends, yet, I find myself reluctant to make such friendships. Maybe I'm afraid of the vulnerability? Maybe I'm just tired. I don't know.

I wish these friends lived here instead of in Florida.

Trip to Orlando

2011-10-04T16:00:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to catch this blog up with real time. I'm also trying to catch up on laundry. So, why not do one while the other is tumbling, right?

I'm not exactly sure when, but sometime recently, I went on a work trip to Orlando.

First, I'd like to start with a picture from the first time I went to Disney World. Mainly because of my Dad's socks. Epic.

Okay, back from 1989... to 2011.

We went to Orlando to cover yet another GOP Debate, CPAC (that's a conservative conference) the straw poll, and to shoot The Brody File Show.

First up, the debate. The most memorable experience was the media filing center, which is nothing like media filing centers I have been in in the past.

It was a very swanky Google Lounge, with white carpet.

And smoothies. And a candy bar. It was craziness. It seemed pretty fun, until the debate started, then I realized the little theater seating area I was in was viewing the debate on a delay (because it was on You Tube) so I had to skidattle (sp?) out to the main couches, but then I had trouble finding electrical outlets, so I ended up on the FLOOR. At that point, I was mad at the Google lounge.

Then, some random reporter girl moved, and I plopped down on a bean bag. That was definitely a first. I've never filed a story from a bean bag before! This was my view of the debate:

So, that was interesting.

The next day, we camped out for several interviews backstage at the CPAC conference. It was fun, and productive, but I remember being exhausted. I didn't take many photos.

The next day, we went to Walt Disney World, to shoot our show.
What a blast! And, I think it turned out to be one of our best shows, ever!

I am a very lucky girl to get to work with a bunch of great guys who love the Lord, love their jobs, and serve each other. We are a happy family.

I got a kick out of pushing a stroller full of TV gear around Disney World.

FYI, if you want to see our show, check it out here. Our show is a mix of faith and politics. We obviously don't take ourselves too seriously, but we have some exclusive, meaty interviews, mixed in with some hilarious commentary! If you want to know about the 2012 candidates, but you don't want to be bored to tears, The Brody File Show is definitely for you!

Back Home

2011-10-04T13:19:00.000-04:00

We were gone this weekend to visit Dana's family in Virginia Beach. We were welcoming Chris, Dana's brother, back home for his two-week leave from Afghanistan. Two nights away together was quite a treat, but we are out of practice for these road trips.

Through the summer D has been taking several of these trips for work. Iowa, California, New Hampshire, Florida. She's a real pro. She even racked up the hotel rewards points we used for our room. We stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn, D's home away from home. The look of relief on her face was funny. It's the same look she gets when we settle in our bed at night.

We got home Sunday night. All our pets were in place. The house was clean. Things were normal.

Tami Taylor Is My Hero

2011-09-29T09:33:00.000-04:00

Little known fact about me.
I want to be Tami Taylor when I grow up.

I don't know how many people out there are Friday Night Lights fans, but whoever you are, you need to jump on Netflix and get with it. That show was very likely, my favorite show of all time. I loved it, like I love coffee and chocolate and my husband. Well, maybe slightly less than I love my husband.

And I miss it. I'm still in mourning. I miss it to the point that now that it's football season, I'm secretly pretending that there is Friday Night Lights out there, somewhere. Almost every time I sit in my chair in the living room, and prop my feet up on the ottoman to watch whatever Michael is pulling up - things like The Sing Off, or NCIS or whatever - I think to myself, I would really rather be watching Friday Night Lights. And, I even mean re-watching it. I miss it that much.

Tami was my favorite character. I want to be her when I grow up! I realize I'm 31 years old, and that ship has kind of sailed... but I do want to be like her.

And, when I'm getting dressed for work, or whatever in the morning, I stand in my closet and look at the rack of clothes, some of which are too small, some of which are too big, and some of which I am just plain sick of, and I ask myself -- Self, what will make you look and feel the most like Tami Taylor today?

And then, I roll my hair.
Because, I want to be like Tami.

To me, Tami Taylor was the perfect mix of hot/sweet/cute/sexy/good wife/good mom/good role model for younger girls/career rock star/fun partner/wanted to have it planned out/good advice giver/listener/person who didn't take any crap.

And, I want to be all of that rolled into a cute package with blonde hair!
I will never be tall enough, though. And, I'm okay with that.

I do have the "y'all's" down, though. Just ask my co-workers, who constantly mock me for it.

The View From Here

2011-09-27T05:15:00.000-04:00

Michael bought me flowers yesterday. In the sense that I was at the grocery store, saw these were marked down to $1.99 and figured I could splurge a little. So, when Michael met me at the car to help me bring the groceries in, I let him know that he bought me flowers.

He was glad he did. Haha :)

I am home for four days, and this next time I travel, Mr. Wonderful comes with me. So, yay.

Hoping to crank out a real blog post later today. We'll see. Enjoy your world today, people.

The View From Here

2011-09-23T12:51:00.000-04:00

Something crossing. I have no idea what these things are. Flamingos? Ostriches? A combo meal?

Q&A: On Traveling, and Caregivers

2011-09-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

The number one question I get asked about traveling out of town for work:

Who takes care of Michael when you're not there? Do you hire caregivers?

Answer: It's a combination of this: He takes care of himself/friends/yes.

Here's the thing. Michael is very independent, especially for someone with his level of injury (C5/6 quadriplegia). Once he is up in his chair, he can take care of everything else, himself. I'm so very proud of him for this!

He can fix his own meals, take care of his own hair and teeth and pills and what not in the bathroom, take care of the dogs, clean up after himself (and the dogs), run to Target if he needs anything... I mean, the list is endless. And, he's all the time figuring out new things that he can do on his own. He is amazing, I tell you!

So, he really only needs help getting up in the morning, and getting to bed at night. He just can't lift himself from one place to another. It's not the kind of thing he can McGuyver. Just doesn't have those muscles. He's a pretty low maintenance quadriplegic, though!

When I am out of town, we hire home health providers to help him get bathed, dressed and transfer him from bed to wheelchair in the morning. They will also help him go to the bathroom, if that is necessary on that particular day. In the evening, friends help him get transferred from wheelchair to bed.

Michael takes care of arranging all of his care. I think after about 9 months of this, I have finally caught on to the idea that I don't have to worry about it! I try to not ask too many questions. :)

Sometimes, friends will come over for dinner, or Michael will hang out with them somewhere else, then they'll come back to our place, and "toss him" in the bed. I cannot express how thankful I am to these friends! You know who you are, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Then, in the morning, the home health care providers come and get him up.

We have this system down now. There are still a lot of "R U OK?" and "Up and at 'em." text messages that fly between the two of us, though.

Room Service & Alone Time

2011-09-21T22:10:00.000-04:00

Yes, that's a steak and a salad here in my hotel room.
Otherwise known as Room Service.
Otherwise known as, yes, I miss my dear husband, but I am enjoying my time in my Orlando hotel room alone tonight with my steak, my salad, and myself.

I was bummed (again) to see that I have no MTV and/or TLC, so that means no "Teen Mom" and/or "Toddlers and Tiaras." Darn it. I only have cable when I'm staying in hotels because we are cable free at home. I really don't miss it.

But, when I'm alone for a night, living the single girl life, I do love those shows and some Milanos if you know what I mean!

Michael is hanging out tonight with some old friends from Florida who are in town. We got to chat earlier while they went to see the Lincoln Memorial at night. I know he is having a great time.

What a good night for both of us.
I am so thankful for good friends who help him out when I'm not there.

Well, I better get to sleep... long day tomorrow. I will be working my tail off!

P.S. My favorite part of room service is always the mini ketchups and mini A1 sauces. I secretly want to start a collection of those.

The View From Here

2011-09-21T08:34:00.000-04:00

It's crazy how the flowers on our porch have exploded with growth and color in the past week or so. Just after we stopped watering them, figuring it was the end of Summer, and their death was imminent.

New life is never bad, though. So, welcome, dear flowers!

Doctor's Appointments & Dunkin' Donuts

2011-09-20T07:57:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we drove to Charlottesville for a couple of appointments for Michael. He had to have a few tests done. He came through everything fine. Here's the play-by-play from my brain while he was in there:
I’m sitting in a Dunkin’ Donuts in downtown Charlottesville right now.
Michael is at doctor's appointment, having a couple of tests done.

I couldn’t get any internet service in the doctor’s office. I was kind of glad, though, because I don't particularly like hospitals and doctor's offices.
So, I went to the lobby. No internet there either. So, I went to my car, and fired up the 3G hot spot.

While I was working on my computer, getting things arranged for a work trip later this week to Orlando, I had the window rolled down. I was sitting in the passenger side. Which, by the way, it is a weird perspective to sit in the passenger side of your own car. My car seemed much dirtier! Eew. Note to self: Need to clean car.

Anyway, when I was sitting there, I overheard some talk radio to my right. There was a husband sitting in his car, waiting. Then, someone wheeled his wife out to the car. She had no legs. I intentionally did not stare, even though I will admit, my human nature did want to see how he got her in the car. I looked at my computer screen, working on travel arrangements and press credentials. But, out the corner of my eye, I did see him snap the armrest off of her wheelchair, and put it, the chair, and a transfer board in the trunk. “How are you feeling?” he asked her as they were driving off.

Love.
That’s love driving that car.
And I didn’t need to stare to see it.
I know this life.

The internet was still really slow, so I fired up the Starbucks app on my iPhone, and started walking. But, I felt like I was getting too far away from the hospital, so when I saw a Dunkin' Donuts, I stopped. That'll do.

This is my first time not being in there with him for any kind of doctor appointment or procedure or anything. (Well, that I have taken him to) He has gone on his own to regular doc appts. It felt a little strange about an hour ago. But right now, surrounded by the pink and orange at Dunkin’ Donuts… I have to say, is way happier than being surrounded by the sterile, painted white cinderblock walls on the 2nd floor, but feels like a dungeon at UVA Medical Center.

And you know what? I actually don’t feel guilty. Because I think if Michael knew I was here right now, with a latte', he’d smile. He is always worried about me and how I’m handling all of this medical stuff.

That may or may not be because I have cried in many a parking lot over the last two years
I think I may be onto something here.

There’s a black guy sitting across from me who is maybe 20 years old, checking me out. They always love me.

I wish my phone would ring.
I should probably set the latte’ down. My hands are shaking.
I don’t think caffeine is good for the anxiety.
Focus on orange and pink, orange and pink, and funky jazz… funky jazz… I am in a happy place.

Oh man, my heart is pounding. But this latte’ is so good!

Note: At this point, Michael called, he was all finished. All is well with the world.
We will be back again in a few weeks, or a month or so. Deep breath...

How to Make Pumpkin Bread

2011-09-18T19:58:00.010-04:00

Fall is in the air. Football is on TV.
To me, that means it's Pumpkin time!

Yesterday, I bought my customary Yankee Pumpkin Cream Pie candle.
It always leads me down this road... to baking pumpkin things.

This afternoon, I was going to go to the gym. But, I ended up getting a massage from Michael, falling asleep in my blue chair, then waking up with the desire to bake. I blame the candle.

I didn't think I had any more pumpkin left from last year, but lo and behold:
This is why it pays to have a well-stocked pantry. This is also a lesson in organizing said pantry.

I found this recipe online for pumpkin bread that is modeled after the pumpkin bread at Starbucks. (Would you believe, I've never actually had the pumpkin bread at Starbucks?) I altered it just a teensy weensy little bit.
What you need:

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup applesauce (smooth)
3 eggs
1 15oz can of pumpkin
2 teaspoons ground cloves
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

You can make this with or without toppings. I chose to top it with pumpkin seeds, brown sugar and dried cranberries. Walnuts or pecans would also be good, and/or chocolate chips. You could even go a little out there and top it with apple slices. I bet that would be good!

What you do:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. I'm pretty sure everything delicious starts at 350 degrees.

2. Butter and flour two loaf pans. Yep, you get two loaves of pumpkiny goodness. What a blessing!

3. Beat sugar, brown sugar, oil and applesauce together.
You don't have to use a stand mixer but if you have one, don't you want to use it as much as possible? I do. It's fun!

4. Mix in pumpkin and eggs.

5. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, whole wheat flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.
I suggest doing this slowly, with a whisk, twisting. Mix it up real good.

6. Put half of the dry ingredient mixture in with the pumpkin mixture, and blend slowly.
Then, add the rest, and blend it all together slowly. Don't overdo it, blend it just enough so that it's all together.

7. Pour the mixture evenly into your two loaf pans.
If you want to be like me, spill 1/8 of it on your counter top. Clean it up with your fingers, then lick them.

8. Top your loaves, if you like. If you prefer to keep them naked, I promise not to judge.
I topped these with pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and some brown sugar. I resisted the urge to drizzle them with butter.

9. Bake them at 350 degrees for about an hour.

10. Let them cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Or, again, if you want to be like me: Torture your husband by taking the loaves out of the oven, putting them just out of his reach on the counter, then leave the house to go bowling for two hours. :)

11. Enjoy!
We ate ours warmed up with a little bit of butter. Y.U.M.

Coast to Coast in 10 Days: California & Florida

2011-09-17T08:27:00.021-04:00

My job definitely has some perks. After months of covering presidential campaign events in Iowa (we will be back there soon), the presidential race has finally popped in some of the most beautiful parts of this nation. California and Florida. I have spent 6 of the last 11 days on these different coasts. Here is a little behind-the-scenes tour of work over the last couple of trips.

A couple of notes:
1. This post is going to include like 47 photos. So, if I were you, I wouldn't even bother pulling it up on my phone. Save it for the computer.

2. If at any point it looks like I am not working in these photos, keep in mind that I happen to 105% LOVE my job, and it almost never feels like work, so if it looks fun, it's not because I'm goofing off, not working - it is because I love what I do, and it IS FUN.

First: CALIFORNIA
We got off the plane, and before I could even change out of my yoga pants, we were in Malibu. This is my first time to EVER have my toes in the sand on the Pacific coast! I was remembering my Malibu Barbie I had as a kid. I loved her and her pink convertible. I did not see her.
We proceeded to get video of the beach, surfers, and naturally - bury the host of our show, The Brody File, in the sand. This had an actual point. Click on the link to watch the show (the buried-in-the-sand part is at the very end).

Then, we visited Joni and Friends.

The next day, the GOP Presidential Debate was held at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA.

Before the debate, we did a live shot via Skype.
And a standup for our story about the debate, the next morning.
Here's a little behind-the-scenes stuff for you. At presidential debates, there are always hundreds of media. And, it's all very organized (generally) as far as who goes where, print, radio, TV, etc. You see that little "CBN" sign in the corner of the above picture?
That is our designated 'standup' spot. For my non-TV-news friends: A standup is the portion of a report that a correspondent does on camera.

During the debate, we are not ever actually INSIDE the debate hall. The media has assigned areas in what is called a "filing center." Which in this case was a not very air conditioned tent outside, that had lots of TVs and wireless internet.
After we finished our live shot and standup, and claimed our space in the filing center, we were lucky enough to get a private tour of the Reagan Presidential Library!
The Library is incredible! We breezed through there very quickly, though, so I definitely want to go back another time, when I have time to play with all of the interactive exhibits and see Air Force One!

Like children, we took silly pictures at the presidential podium. It's funny, because we see this kind of thing every day, yet when the opportunity presents itself...
This picture of my co-worker, Steve, really puts into perspective just how short I am!
Yikes. Get that girl a pelican case or a step stool!

After our tour, we visited the cafeteria...
Where I enjoyed my split pea soup.
And, we hunkered down for the debate/editing our story about the debate, which always takes us into the wee hours of the morning.
Phew!

The next morning, after a couple hours of sleep, we made our way to Hollywood! This was my first time to Hollywood. I was surprised that it wasn't glitzier or shinier than it was. It always looks so ritzy on TV but in person, I thought it felt kind of old and dumpy. Sorry for the dis, Hollywood. You were still cool, though.
We walked right by the Kodak Theatre. Now, I'll confess, I hardly ever watch any movies or TV, so there was a lot of stuff that is apparently very cool in Hollywood, that I had no idea about. But, I do know this is where they host American Idol.

We walked down the Walk of Fame.
That was pretty cool (when we got to some names I recognized.)
I even found a star that appeared to be unclaimed. So, I claimed that as my own!
Hopefully the stars are cool with that.
We taped the Brody File Show in front of some famous Chinese Theater. Forgive me. I'm big on politicians... not on actual celebrity stuff..
Then we went to "Hollywood and Vine," which is apparently a very famous intersection, and interviewed a GOP strategist. I did my duty of walking behind Steve, so that he wouldn't run into anything while he was taping the interview.
Oh, and I got my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.
Iced.And, on our way to the airport, we drove/hiked up to the infamous Hollywood sign to get some shots for the show and take pictures of ourselves.
Someone should have told me it would be okay to put the latte down.
I mean, seriously. Because, here is our team pic at the Hollywood Sign, and one sip of a PSL is in the photo.
Shameful.

Whew!
Then, I was home for two or three days, during which we drove to MD to get M's new wheelchair, and I went to a football game, a baseball game, and church.

Then Sunday night... off to FLORIDA.
The trip to FL was quicker than the California trip, and we didn't shoot the show there (since we had just shot it in CA), so there aren't as many pics of Florida.

Unfortunately, that trip started out with a major flight delay, and we ended up flying into Orlando and driving to Tampa, instead of flying into Tampa as originally planned.
Needless to say, I was very happy to see my waffle the next morning.

That day, we went to the filing center, did our setup there, did another Skype live shot (no pics this time, sorry) and a standup outside. Then, we made a run to Cold Stone Creamery, where I "loved it" - probably a little too much! We also shot an interview outside the Hard Rock Casino. That had nothing to do with the casino.And, back to the filing center to hunker down for the debate, story about the debate, etc. etc. The same thing as California, only we were up much later into the not-so-wee hours of the morning because we were back on East Coast time.

After a quick nap, we had breakfast the next morning, no waffle for me that day, and we headed to Clearwater Beach.
Aaahhh. Yes. I spent most of the day in the van, writing The Brody File Show, and producing it remotely, until the battery in my laptop died.
Then, I joined the boys.
They were interviewing random Florida voters on the street. Definitely an interesting bunch!
We had time for a very quick lunch, which was the most amazing food I've had since I don't even remember when. Such a shame we had to scarf it down.
On our way back to the car, I saw this very random assortment of offers from a shop.
Wow.
Everything you need there, huh?
We popped in a tourist shop, where I contemplated getting Michael this shirt (and wondered why anyone would need THREE of them?)
I also contemplated getting myself this hat, but then I sa how I looked like a truck driver when wearing it.
So, we left.
And headed to the airport.

I was sad that we couldn't spend more time in Clearwater, because Michael has soooo many dear friends there, and I have some other friends in the Tampa area I wish I could have seen, but there just wasn't enough spare time. Maybe next year. We will be back for the GOP Convention in 2012.

Thankfully, the flight home was uneventful, and I was able to sleep for 24 hours, then we went out for our *real* Anniversary dinner. And, I went grocery shopping. And (at least somewhat) cleaned the house.

I went back to work yesterday, and filled out expense reports and paperwork for my next trip (Orlando). Monday, we head to Charlottesville for the whole day of doctor stuff/testing for Michael. And Wednesday, I get on another plane.

Phew.
All I have to say is I think I will definitely be using that house cleaning Groupon I bought a while ago, and I am looking forward to using all these Hilton points at some point in the future for a trip for me and the Hubs!

Saturday Morning Post

2011-09-17T08:06:00.003-04:00

Sometimes, after a deep, cathartic post like I wrote the other day, I have nothing left in me to write for a while. I'm tapped out.

There is peace and quiet in our home this morning, and that is wonderful.
We don't have anywhere to be at any particular time today, so we will probably just chill here.

It's chilly outside, and that makes me want to make soup, or a casserole, and bread.
And I have two butternut squash from last week's Arganica delivery that I need to do something with today.
I digress.

Every time I sit down, I hear this apartment tell me how it really needs a deep, deep cleaning. Like, move the furniture cleaning. And I want to do that, I really do. But, I don't know, I just don't do it.

I wish we had more closet space.
I really think I could stay more organized with more closet space.
Shoot, I wish my closet wasn't broken half the time.

Other random thoughts this quiet, cool made-for-football Saturday morning:

1. I LOVE Michael's new wheelchair. We have had it for like a week and a day, and it has already been life changing. There is so much truth to the importance of the right tools!

2. We saw "Soul Surfer" last night and I liked it. I even stayed awake the whole time, can you believe it? It brought back a lot of memories for Michael from when he broke his neck, and we had one of those long, deep, detailed conversations in bed last night. Those conversations we used to have all the time when we were dating long distance and we talked and talked on the phone. Those conversations aren't as common now. Busy life gets in the way. But it was nice. Intimate. And, like any husband and wife, I probably liked it more than he did. But, it was nice. I love that man.

I told him he should blog about the movie, and the memories.

The View From Here

2011-09-17T07:56:00.002-04:00

Well, this isn't the view right now, because right now, he's chewing a bone, so he won't disturb my quiet Saturday morning.

But, this was Brokaw the other night, when I was just getting back from Florida.
We were waiting for Daddy to finish brushing his teeth, etc. Brokaw tried to steal Daddy's spot.

No luck on that, by the way. No luck.