Shout-out to my hubby

When Jason leaves on a trip, I miss him something fierce right away. This time is no exception. After taking him to the airport at the wee hours of the morning, I went home and back to bed. Still to awake and turn over to his cold side of the bed that was warm with him a few hours before. I think it's in these moments of longing and of my heart stretching in pain that I realize how much I love him and how much I have. Here are a few that I think about:

I love kissing his temple and smelling his skin and hair
I love laying next to him, wrapped up like a fragile package
I love when he walks in the door at the end of the day, sleeves rolled up and hair a little less perfect from the long day
I love the smell of his shirts after he's worn them
I love finding his notes to himself throughout the day
I love the sweet text messages he sends me as he's going to bed in a far away hotel
I love his goofiness and spaziness in the morning after he's taken a shower
I love when he lies on top of me and the weight encompasses me
I love coming home to him
I love making dinner for him
I love being loved by him

My dear, sweet husband: Come home to me soon. I miss you.

(Business?) Trip

A weekend in San Francisco:

Fleet Week flying over the bay

Blue Angles from on top of Alcatraz

Cute little trees from our view

Amazingly large succulents on Alcatraz

A beautiful sunset view on the plane ride home.


A few highlights:

Eating lunch with Jason at his favorite lunch spot
Drinks and great conversation at our favorite speakeasy
Meeting an old friend from college and meeting her 3 adorable children
Sitting outside on a beautiful day,
sketchbook in hand listening to the new Damien Jurado
Time with my best friend.

Rocky Mountain High

I have fallen in love.
With the Colorado Rockies.

Aspen trees everywhere were in brilliant golden yellows and just beginning to turn orange. I didn't want to leave. The hillsides and valleys were dotted with streams of yellow aspens, glittering in the sun peaking though the puffy white clouds.

The wedding went wonderfully. I was gladly put to use decorating the reception "tent" and in charge of ALL the flowers: four maid-of-honor bouquets, the bridal bouquet, and the cake. I think they turned out pretty good. Given there was only one kind of flower to work with.

The cake.

The bride's bouquet.

Beautiful fall colors.

My love and me among the aspens.

Taking a drive.

Why do these trees undo me like this? (Sorry for the sideways, don't have time to fix)

Hillsides of the Rockies.

Although there were so many trees around, I was still finding moments of not breathing well at 10,000 feet. Can't imagine why...


In other news:
Jason is being whisked away to San Fransisco either in 2 hours, or 20. I can't decide if I like knowing ahead of time to prepare myself for his being gone (but also in turn somewhat have a looming feeling about it), or have it sprung upon me and within a few hours he'll be gone.

Oh, but for a small $450 I could go with. I think at this point, the company should pay, no? Besides, he's going to be gone all of next week and then my father will be here on the days we normally have to ourselves leaving us (minus a few short hours on Friday night) no real alone time until Sunday, October 12th - which is his birthday.

Disclaimer:
I am in no way blaming Jason - it is my fault too. Our schedules these days are just a little extra difficult and I'm working a lot of weekends and weeknights.

However, fall is among us, and the trees are showing off.
I think I might just go admire them a bit.

Tuesday Tiddings

So, my manager at work was talking about working at Anthropology...part time. They get a 40% discount on clothes and 25% discount on home wears. Oh...danger. I could see it already: pay time comes, and they are asking me for more money as I'm spending even more than I'm making. But, if you think about it this way:

Minimum wage is what? Around $8 an hour?
Let's say I worked just a measly 4 hour shift, to start.
That's around $80 - roughly.
Let's say there's a coat, or a pair of pants, or a dress at oh, about $160.
I work one shift, buy an item.
Work another shift, buy another item.
Work 2 shifts, buy a new comforter or something...

If I just thought about it that way: Trading a shift for something to buy, well, I just might really start considering this. Plus with the holidays coming up, they could definitely use the extra hours, I'm sure. And if I go to the store downtown, I could just take the bus on Mondays and Tuesdays, which are my days off from the spa...hmm...

In other news:

Highlights from this weekend:

Umber's first show here in the Emerald City
Spending 28 hours with my friends
Noodle soup + rainy day + 4 bosom ladies
Calling in sick to take care of myself
An ENTIRE day with my hubby
Brunch and wine at Cafe Champagne
Impressionist exhibit at the SAM (um, not so impressive)

Finally

Finally I am able to breathe and my chest does not feel heavy.
Finally I am able to look at my lover
and feel nothing but over-pouring love once again.
Finally we got a quiet moment alone.

Yesterday we celebrated 2 years of marriage at the parent's cabin on Hat Island. What a much-needed escape it was. Being we were there from Sunday evening until Tuesday evening, there were not more than a handful of souls on the island, including the workers dredging the marina (what an awful, repetitive job if I must say so myself).
We walked the perimeter of the island in the warm morning sun, played golf in the shade of the afternoon trees, lounged, loved, listened to the ocean, and even saw a seal on the beach.

Lately we have been
so
DAMN
BUSY!!!

and stressed.

Last week (yes, I haven't even checked my e-mail since then), I worked 55 hours, 6 days, split shifts and never ending days.
I think I ate dinner before 9pm once.

Why is it that those you surround yourself with because you bask in their company and love with every fiber of your being can be the ones that will drive you utterly mad?
I am not pointing any finger, either. I know I am the same way.
It just seems upside down to me.

Loved ones: I am glad you are in my life, driving me mad.
I wouldn't want it any other way.

Locks of Looming Despair

Ugh, I HATE when this happens. Why am I SO unclear as to what I want? A little darker doesn't mean black. And a little richer doesn't mean cherry red. But, I don't think I'm that unclear. I just don't think people listen.

I don't even want to post a picture of myself
for I hate it.

I went from cute little bouncy thing
to depressed goth morbid thing.

It's amazing how something so seemingly small and insignificant (and fast growing) can cause so much grief and self-loathing.

Ugh.

Well, I was almost eaten alive last night by the biggest spider I have EVER seen. Almost. Except I have mad ninja skills. And a sprayer on my kitchen sink.


Sorry my little succulents, I'm taking a lot longer to paint this table that I thought it was going to take me. You'll have to wait a few more days outside.

So, I don't know if I've adequately conveyed how much

I FREAKING LOVE FALL

It is my favorite season. It is perfect in all ways. The cool change in the air draws my soul into thanksgiving beyond containment, and the low sun in the sky bids me outdoors to bask in it's rays as its days are threatening to be shorter. The trees are all dressed to their best in the most beautiful fall colors and the rich harvest from summer is at its most delicious. Every minute I spend indoors makes me antsy to be out in the most perfect season.

I am a greedy person about my time spent in the autumn

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
-George Eliot