Crazy Busy Morning Time

BEFORE: Everything laid out to make breakfast, lunch, and prep dinner.

AFTER: My breakfast, my lunch packed, dinner prepped, and M's breakfast & lunch are ready!

When I was a kid, my mom had to pry me out of bed to get ready for school. I remember being a teenager, and hearing her scream at me from downstairs, "It's 7:45!!!!" I would finally get up and drag myself into the shower, then get out and realize then it was only 7:15. She had to lie to me, or I'd never get to school on time.

Oh, how the years have changed me. I am now officially a morning person! And, though yes, it is tough (most) mornings to get out of bed, once I do, I actually love the morning time. It is a race against the clock, especially on weekdays, but still, I like it. I guess this just where I ended up after working every shift you can imagine over the last 10 years of working in the news business.

I like this one the best. I'm in the office at about 8:00am. I have an hour commute (including my mandatory Starbucks run). I don't like to be rushed getting myself ready (I come last at getting ready, usually, in our household - that means after the cat, the dogs, and the husband, haha!)

One day last week, I documented my masterful time management skills and I even impressed myself! :) Note: Before you award me some sort of early morning hero award, let me tell you, I almost always fall asleep on the metro on my way to work, and I drink two shifts of coffee!

Here's how it usually goes down:
4:00am alarm goes off. I am either awake right before the alarm because Brokaw is stirring, or I'm awake from waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back asleep... OR, I am actually awakened by the alarm and I absolutely cannot believe it's this "late" already!

4:05am. Start the coffee maker. Slippers and sweatshirt on, I grab both dogs' leashes and some doggie poop bags, and we go for a walk. If there's trash to be taken out, I take it now.

4:20am. Pour coffee. Pour dog food. Take up the cat food from the night before. Give the dogs fresh water. Put whatever is in the washer in the dryer and whatever is in the dryer in a laundry basket for Michael to fold later.

4:30am. Peel the pillow off Michael's head. Stretch his legs. Get a wash cloth, a rinse cloth, and a towel ready to get M bathed and dressed for the day. Do all of that. Get him up out of bed and into his wheelchair. Make the bed. Put his towels, clothes, etc. in the wash.

5:45am. Yell at Brokaw for getting into something. Pour M some coffee. Listen to the weather on the morning local news. Pack my lunch. Put something in the fridge at the middle level and in a plastic container :) for M to eat for lunch. Bring whatever meat I'm going to make for dinner down from the freezer to the fridge to thaw. Fix breakfast.

6:00am. Remember that this is the time I "should" be getting in the shower. Eat breakfast with my love. Pray. Read the Bible with him. Realize how far behind we are in From Garden to City, and just jump in on that day, anyway.

6:20am. Clear the breakfast dishes, unload the dishwasher, load the dishwasher, open the blinds and turn on the office lights for M to have on during the day. Set the army of beauty supplies I use each day (more and more all the time, I tell ya!) and my clothes out.

6:45am. Shower, get myself ready for work, double check that I have my headphones, whatever book I'm reading and my press credentials. Put my towels, clothes, etc. in the wash. Start the washer.

7:15am. Remember that I "should" be leaving for work at 7am. Kiss Michael, tell the dogs to be good, and I'm off. I walk to the metro, it's about a 10-15 minute walk. Then I ride for about 35 minutes. I almost always sleep between King Street and Crystal City. I usually read my work email and several newspapers on my phone on the ride.

8:15am. I arrive at one of two Starbucks, where I'm working on that particular day (at the Bureau, or at the White House) dictates which STBX I go to. But I almost always order a "grande bold." Remember that I should be getting a tall because I'm drinking too much caffeine.

8:30am. Arrive at work, either at the WH or at the Bureau. Phew! Now.... it's time to "start" the day!

Home Screen

This is the background on my personal laptop. Seriously, how sad is that?

Books

I'm inspired to share what I'm reading because of my friend Jennifer's blog.

Now, let me tell you, I used to be a big time reader! That was back in my single days when I had a second after work, before fixing dinner, or before bed, to read. Life these days isn't much like it was then. And the time I spend reading is seriously less now than it used to be. I still read on the metro, though, and sometimes I can read for like 5 minutes if I'm done with everything in the house and ready for bed, but I'm still waiting on Michael. Or, if I ever go to the gym again. Tomorrow? Maybe? I thought about going today.. but I ended up making chocolate chip cookies instead. Oops.

I'm getting off topic. Anyway, here's what I'm (kind of) reading right now:
1. Game Change. This is the "inside scoop" on the 2008 race for President. Every time I pick it up, I get sucked in. Love this so far, and I especially love the 'behind the scenes' kind of scoop it has on relationships between certain political candidates, their families and friends, and their staffs. Good read.

2. Cold Tangerines. I read this a few years ago and loved it, I remember passing some of the things I read in this book along to friends, so I'm re-reading it again now. I love Shauna's writing style, and I think if I ever write a book, I'd like to do something like this. It's kind of a collection of essays.

3. When The Man You Love is Ill. I think I'm on my fourth trip through this book. I hardly leave home without it. So much wisdom in this book has helped and is helping me navigate the tough waters I face in my unique situation being married to someone who has a disability. I still have some unanswered questions, so I just keep reading it and re-reading it, hoping all of the principles will (one day) truly soak in!

What are y'all reading these days?

I Blew Out A Candle This Morning

I blew out a candle this morning.

And had eggs and carrot cake for breakfast.

I was called “sweetheart” and got a kiss first thing this morning from the man I share this life with. And an adjustable bed :)

He gave me a card with a fat pug on it, and a handwritten message inside that was as sweet as syrup. I’ll keep it forever. And a new GPS!!!!

It’s 1:37pm and so far, more than 120 people have wished me a Happy Birthday on Facebook. What a beautiful thing. I dare even the staunchest cynic to post their birthday on Facebook, receive that many well wishes from family, old boyfriends, high school classmates, former co-workers, people they’ve mentored and people they look up to, and tell me it doesn’t matter. Because it does. I feel like a million bucks right now! I still wish I had a million bucks, but if I had to choose, honestly, I’d rather just feel like a million bucks.

I feel the love, so THANK YOU to each one of you that took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday!

It’s been a good year. I’m looking forward to the next one.

I’m 31 today.

It’s not the third anniversary of my 29^th birthday.

Although, my 29^th birthday was pretty epic, and is definitely worth celebrating, that’s when Michael and I got engaged!! The way I see it, we celebrate my 29^th birthday every day! :)

But no, I’m not 29 anymore.

I am starting to realize the effects of age. My hair is thinning, my thighs are not! My muscles ache a little longer after a workout (which is sadly, rare, although hopefully not for long!) I am now affected by loud music. I don’t speak text and that makes me feel slightly outdated. I go to bed by 9pm and flour sales and buy one get one free coupons make me excited. I wear comfortable shoes and I’m getting more reflective and sentimental with each day.

But, life is good.

I leave you with the wise words of Tim McGraw:

I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years

My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years

Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones

Saturday morning, I made my first scones! They were a total success. I know this because I can't stop thinking about eating them. Like seriously, I had one this morning, and I think I may get one right after I walk through the door this afternoon. However many steps are between the White House and my pantry... that's exactly the number of steps between me and my next pumpkin scone!

I used another one of Annie's recpies. And, as usual, mine are neither as pretty nor photographed as beautifully. But, they are delicious, none the less. Annie called for butterscotch chips, but I did chocolate instead. Because that's what I had on hand.

And... you have to admit, I get points for my creative cutting of the scones, yes? I used a pizza cutter! Ha.
I also wrapped them individually, so they would be easier for Michael to get to, in hopes that HE would eat more of my goodies! This is mostly so I don't feel like such a fat girl as I notice I'm the only one depleting the baked goods bin's stock...
I actually texted him earlier today to remind him to eat a scone. I hope he did. Because as long as he eats as many as me, I don't have to feel like a fatty! :) That is true, right ladies?

So, About That Pizza Dough...

... It didn't make it. I never got around to making that pizza I wanted to make last week. I pulled the dough out of the fridge Friday, and eh, it just didn't look right.

But, I was able to use the same basic idea, using the meatballs, peppers and mushrooms...
And, we had spaghetti. Yum-o. Love me some spaghetti with SUPER thick, chunky sauce.
Just ate leftovers for lunch today!
Oh, and the meatballs were from the Springfield Butcher, Wowwwww they were de-lish!!

Princess!

I cannot get a good picture of this girl to save my life! She will. not. sit. still. for a second!

Sick Day

Friday, I missed work because I just felt awful. I was sneezing pretty much every breath and my head felt like it was going to explode. I was completely zapped of energy, and spent much of the day in the bed.

Ah! The tables were turned. I was the one needing to be taken care of. This happens pretty rarely around here. And I remember the first time I got sick last year, and Michael just tried to stay out of the way... um... big mistake! I wanted the attention!

Good news to report here... he learned his lesson :) He warmed me up some water with lemon. He checked on me. He even went down to Subway to get us lunch! I was impressed with how quickly he did that.

While he was gone, I sipped some Pumpkin Spice Tea. That felt good. I drank it sitting up in the bed. (grrr... see previous post, haha)
I don't think he's even read where I posted about the bed... but he came into the bedroom and saw me sitting up in the bed, and he's all, "Ohhhhhh no you didn't!?!?!" and "See, it's not that bad!!!" All pointing out that it's not pitiful, I was just like him. But NO, I'm not! I was SICK. He isn't sick. Sometimes he so misses the point, but I love him anyway.

And, are you ready for this? Bonus points for the hubs! Remember how we were 100 percent out of milk. Look what Mr. Wonderful brought home from Subway!

He took great care of me, I enjoyed being on the 'other side' (kind of) for a day, and Saturday morning, I felt much better, yay! The worst part about getting sick was one of my best friends just had a little baby girl, and I was planning on visiting her on Saturday, but decided I should wait since I was sick. Boooo. But the last thing I would want to do is make a newborn sick! I'm hoping I can road trip it up to B'more soon to see Baby Bettis!

I Love Our Love Story

Hi. Okay, confession: I just spent the last 20 minutes watching our story of us documentary I posted the other day. I started watching it to make sure it loaded correctly, but then I was hooked! I've always been a sucker for a good love story! I love that I love our love story. Now, I'm in tears, and I feel like I've fallen in love with Michael Ritter all over again.

I look at that girl in the video, with the big toothy smile. She was so excited, pumped to start her new life as a wife! And that guy, so smitten, you can tell he'd do anything he could for her. How could you not love them, right?

Those kids had no idea. No idea the blessing, and ministry marriage would be. No idea that that first year would end up being pretty tough. No idea how much it hurts to feel each other's pain. No idea that a year later, they'd love each other way more and way more deeply than they did that day at the marriage license office.

I'm wiping tears right now, but you know what? I wouldn't trade a thing. What a treasure this life is! Chills looking back on the story of us.

Story of Us Documentary

You know how people put together slide shows of themselves when they were little and show it at their wedding reception? Yeah... we did that, on steroids. I got a little carried away... and it turned into a 15 minute documentary. I've been trying to figure out how to chop it up so I can post it here for everyone to see. (including my best friend Ann who couldn't be at our wedding!)

Hopefully this will work.

You'll have to play the videos one at a time. I hope it goes in order, and makes sense.