A Green(er) Living

I was reading a blog a couple of nights ago that talked about using distilled white vinegar when washing clothes. As in, putting a small amount of detergent and then adding a half cup of vinegar. Thus, diluting the detergent. And making it last a lot longer.

So then, I was reading yesterday other uses for vinegar. Many of them are cleaning. So I’ve decided that I will be using vinegar when I clean.

I told C about it, and he said, “Yeah, and after you leave here, I’ll go through AND actually clean it. “ To which I replied, “Haha, you’re funny!”

Last night, he informed me that women are the reason men have no money. I asked him how he figured that, and then I said that at the moment, he has more money than I do! He said, “yeah, NOW I do. But when we get married I won’t.”

He told me that after men get married, all their money goes to things for the house. “Honey, I found this really nice (insert an item that men want).” “Yeah, but we need money for something for the house.”

It was quite the funny convo.

I have to say, I am so glad that he is home. Incredibly glad. He made the comment last week that he was finally happier again. I knew that he wasn’t the happiest on the ship, but I didn’t know the extent of it. It just goes to show how much that ship sucks the life out of people, which is so sad.

Excitement

I’ve known for 5 days that I get to move into my apartment SOON. I thought it was going to be July 1st, but after talking to the property manager yesterday, she said I could move in as early as Wednesday!

Everything is set up and ready to go for the move! I have just a bit more to pack, which is mainly clothes. I’m kind of living out of a suit case between now and then.  

I took a nap earlier today, and I had a dream that I missed my flight to go see C. My connecting flight, that is. So then I was at Verizon to get a phone (no idea why I dreamt about a phone), and trying not to panic as I knew I missed my flight. I was trying to get to Dulles in Washington D.C., and I was at some parking garage.

It was a bizarre dream. And I woke up when C called to chat. I told him about me missing my flight and he said, “You have several weeks to go.” It was kind of funny.

And then we were talking about wireless routers. He’s an electronics person, so he knows all about the stuff that works the best. I told him what kind of wireless router I have, and he said his is faster. So it led into him saying that in the future, after we get married it will probably have an untimely end. I said I’d just give it to my parents, and he said he’d buy them a new one. I told him it’s been just fine since I got it about 4 years ago. He said, “It would be as if I picked out a paint color and you telling me it was not good. It’s that bad.”

He’s funny. But I love him.

Just for you

This is solely for my friend, Christina.

I want to thank you for being a truly great friend to me, and I hope that I am the same back to you. Over the past couple of years, I have gotten to know you pretty well. And I have enjoyed getting to know you. We’ve been through a lot together, we’ve shared a lot with each other.

I know we haven’t talked as much lately as we used to (meaning in the past year), but whenever we do talk, I feel as if we picked up right where we left off. That is the kind of friends we are, and something I treasure out of our friendship.

You are so strong, so courageous. Someone I admire a lot.

So thank you, for being a friend.

Yep, corny, just like the Golden Girls!

What Was I Thinking??

It’s no secret that I am back in school. I had a great first semester out of the gate. I’ve been so worried about school since May. And I’ve been worried about getting things ready for my upcoming school year.

So worried that I ended up dropping one of the 3 classes I signed up for in May, for this first summer session. That, and I really want to give that class my undivided attention, so when I take it next summer, I will have that.

At the moment, I am currently shaking my head and wondering how I’ll finish both of my first summer session classes and then move right into my 2 second summer classes.

The one class alone is overwhelming. I feel like I’m not getting it- probably because it is a self-guided course. Meaning, I have the binder of material to read, and that’s it. Nothing else. I feel lost. I feel confused. I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing.

I keep telling myself, “Oh, you can do this. You have time to focus on that, to focus on lesson planning, and to pack.” But in reality, the classes are overwhelming me. The one I can get, because it’s online, and guided by the teacher. I feel like with this other class, I feel like I am missing a lot.

I move in 11 days. I’m supposed to go to an art workshop 10 days after that. I really just need to breathe and keep telling myself that I can do this.

In Virginia!!!

Life has definitely been a whirlwind of emotions from March until now! For both C and I.

In March, Japan was hit by an earthquake, and this began his time at sea. No one knew what was going on and when his ship would be back. In April, as we were making plans for him to come home, he emailed us one Tuesday morning to say that he most likely would not be home. It definitely was not good. I began applying for jobs, with the knowledge that one may be coming my way. I didn't want to apply at other places when that was the one place I wanted to be.

In May, things with C coming home were still up and down. I finally landed the job I had been waiting for, the one I had been hoping and praying on. His birthday came and went on May 15th (which is also the birthday of my twin nephews- how neat that they share the same day?) and he wasn't here to celebrate it. He called the next weekend and said that he should be back in the states by June, no matter what. Sadly, his grandmother passed away just a few days later. Completely unexpected. We didn't know if he would be able to come home for it. We knew that it was a huge possibility that they wouldn't let him come home. But in the end, they let him come home for it. I am so glad that he got to say his final goodbyes. I know I posted that in my lost post, I believe. I am still thankful for it. Anyone who loses a loved one needs that closure. He flew back just 5 days after arriving home. We didn't know if he'd be back soon or not. But I braced myself for the possibility of not having him home until December.

I have to say, through it all, I have known we'd be okay. We have done a lot of distance since February 2009, so just a few months more wouldn't be a problem.

We entered into a new month just before he left, but I knew it could be a huge month. So I began wondering every day if he would be coming back. I woke up at 2:55 last Friday morning. I was disoriented and thinking I was in another room, which I wasn't. But I tend to do that a lot- wake up disoriented. So anyways, I was wondering if we'd hear from C that day when I suddenly got a text from him! He said he would be back in the states soon and that he would call when he landed in Dallas. I didn't fall back asleep at all. I ended up taking a nap later in the day, but I was still energized about it.

I began making plans to come out to see him. I would be making the trip alone, and I was nervous about it- because I had never driven anywhere that long by myself before. But I knew it would be worth it, just being able to spend some time with him. I left about 6-ish Saturday morning, and arrived 16-17 hours later, 870 miles, driving through 4 states, and stopping 5 times to get gas/go to the bathroom. I stopped once to take a picture of a scenic site once in Virginia. And the only time I got lost was on the way to where C told me I needed to go. So he had to tell me where to go, and stayed on the phone with me the entire time- even though he knew I was freaking out. I remained calm, though. I'm so thankful he didn't get mad or yell at me when I didn't make the turn I was supposed to.

I'm just glad that we are finally in the same time zone, he will be just an hour ahead of me. I'm thankful that I can go visit him whenever I want now (when I am on break, I mean), I can call him whenever just to talk, and things will generally be easier for us. This last year of his service should be fairly easy. Although, it will take a little adjusting. But it's all good. :)

Everything is finally coming together for us, falling into place just when it's supposed to. I've been told that good things come to those who wait, and it is definitely true!

It’s 11:11

And I did just make a wish. A very important one!

I got my SUV today! I am so glad I got it! C’s father said earlier that I was glowing, and I still am, hours later.

My bedroom furniture came today! So excited about that! It looks so nice, and I can’t wait to unpack it all in the new place. My desk arrived last Wednesday, and I picked up my entertainment center on Friday. The only things that came put together are my night stands and the dresser. Everything else (including the desk and entertainment center) need to be put together.

My coffee and end tables will be arriving next week. I don’t know if they come pre-assembled or not.

I purchased a Keurig, a stand mixer (it’s not KitchenAid, but I’m still excited about it), silverware, drinkware, Corelle dinnerware (love the colors I picked out), and some decorative stuff. I know I am missing things, but as soon as I unpack it all, I will know what it is.

I have so many boxes that it will be like unearthing new treasures after each opened box. I am really excited about my kitchen stuff, because I love kitchen gadgets.

I packed some more tonight. Well, about 8 boxes worth. The vast majority of it was clothes and shoes. Towards the end, it was some office items. For awhile, I felt like I was making progress, but not at the same time. Now I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress. I’ve decided that once I get into my new place- the things that I am not wearing anymore-shoes included- will be given away.

I have my first house plant, too. Well, our first house plant. It’s a Peace Lily that was at C’s Grandmother’s funeral. I was told to pick out something since he doesn’t have space for it right now. I told him to pick out something and he had no clue. So I picked out the Peace Lily, and he didn’t even know that was a Peace Lily. It will be nice to transfer to our new place someday.

Everyone keeps asking me when we are getting engaged. I really don’t have an idea. We had to get him some dress clothes for the funeral when he came home and my sister texted me that he should just purchase a ring while there. I laughed and showed C, and he laughed, too. Whenever he decides to do it is when it will happen!

I need to head to bed. I want to be up early so I can work on my classes, then work on lesson plans. I’m trying to stick to a schedule. So many hours of homework, so many hours of lesson plans, so many hours of packing. Usually I am good about sticking to schedules once I have one going, so I know this won’t be a problem.

Have a great night/day!

Playing Catch Up

Hello, Blogosphere. I know I haven’t blogged in a quite awhile. Or much of substance. I’m going to give you a run-down of what all has been going on- but the shortened version, rather than the long one.

-I got a job! I am so excited, so happy to be back where I once was. I am truly looking forward to it. I got to see my new room last week, and someone mentioned how my eyes just lit up when I walked into it.

-I finished my first semester as a graduate student with a 4.0!

-I began ordering things for my new apartment. I’ll upload links soon.

-C’s grandmother passed away, and he was able to come home for the funeral- much to all of our surprise. It was so nice to have him home, and soon, he should be headed back to the states.

What else am I missing?

Oh, yes! I am about to purchase a newer vehicle. I had one vehicle in mind, set to purchase it and everything, and then I decided it wasn’t for me. The payments would be too high for what I am wanting to spend right now. So, I just found another one that I really like.

I’m going to an art workshop next month, for a few days, which I am very excited about.

And I am starting up classes again for the Summer. Booyah!

I think that is everything right now.