Thom and Andrea:

The end of summer update

2010-08-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

I know it's not the end of summer, but I can't help but feel it slipping quietly away...And I love it!!

This fall Thom and I have a lot of work ahead of us, I'm coaching his college's cheer team, and he's pulling full force into school work. We're hoping this is the year he'll determine if Human Kinetics is truly for him, or if we need to go another direction to find something he'll like. Time can only tell.

This summer was pretty hot and sticky and full of adventure, but I'm ready for fall, so many wonderful things await in the month of September.

<3

Non-natal nesting

2010-07-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have been pulling 3 hour long cleaning sessions on our place for the last 7 days and (gasp) actually enjoyed it! I started out with the baseboards last Friday and went into a never ending frenzy since then. This is called "nesting", but since I'm not having a baby, or a bird I'm terming it "non-natal nesting" ( I looked it up ok? And it sooo happens!!). Thom came home and couldn't find anything, so he had to come to ME to find things. I felt so powerful! Like I alone wield the power to forever hide his ugly socks and polos. Muahhahahahaha.... And then he caught on to my theme, and ruined my fun : (

Our home is more organized now, which makes me happy, but I'm still a little freaked at how much time I spent cleaning. My weeks are pretty busy with cheer season prep/work/identity finding that I didn't really think I had any time left in the day for any fun, and certainly no energy left to clean. Isn't it amazing where we find the time to do the most mundane things?

Summer rocks!!

2010-06-01T10:19:00.001-07:00

I personally love summer. Better than any of the other seasons. People think i'm nuts, but I can't help it! First of all, summer makes for the best playing outside at the beach weather. It makes for the best BBQ weather, and the best fashion weather too (summer shorts and your swimsuit at the beach is all ya need). I'm a southern girl at heart, and I love my heat!! This summer I've already been out taking fun couples pictures with my stunning spouse (I'll get those up lata). Honestly, I don't know why we even need any other seasons, besides fall, just seems like a waste. Winter is a joke, especially where it doesn't ever snow, and just gets cold...grrr. As a Canada dweller i've had a taste of snowy winter-ness and I can attest to the overwhelming lameness. ANYWAY! Now that summer is here I'm doing cartwheels, this time of year is when I am at my happiest and most free. I can't wait to get outside and start playing (safe with spf 30 or higher) in the sun!

<3

What I learned this V-day

2010-02-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

I'm a sap, a sap and a sucker for all things mushy. As a girl it is my right to make a deal out of Valentine's Day and want a romantic evening. But Valentine's Day at our house usually gets glossed over with some candy hearts and a sweet sentiment that we made up for each other. This year, the exact same thing happened, so we gave ourselves a do over. Yup. A Valentine's day do over. We took last Tuesday and went out to see Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The lightening thief (cool movie, but nothing like the book), and eat yummy A&W burgers, and talk about everything. We wore jeans and plain but nice shirts, and I only took 45 minutes to get ready (as opposed to 1 hour for our standard dates). Honestly, that's the life right there. I'm usually a put on a dress kind of person, but this was actually kind of nice. Low key dates are the best, simply because you can both be relaxed. I learned a very valuable lesson this V-day, where you go and what you do isn't important, it's who you are with. I've always heard people say that, and never though it made much sense. But when I think about it, the most fun I've had with Thom is just chilling with some good food and light entertainment. There will be plenty of time for stuffy restaurants during anniversaries, and (hopefully) job promotions and such. For now I'm sold on the simple stuff.

New years Semi-Resolutions

2010-01-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

I usually skip out on these, as in I don't bother making them. When all the other women around me are ensuring themselves they'll get thinner, eat healthier, use better grammar or quit swearing, I just smile encouragingly and move on. The truth is, I kind of fear making resolutions because they are hard to keep up with, and usually end with with me feeling bad about not keeping them. Who needs the guilt?

It's the middle of January and I have been keeping up with a semi resolution I made. This is a no strings attached, not officially a resolution but a somewhat resolution-ish, resolution. I have decided to finish everything I start or start nothing. I KNOW! And it goes for everything from this blog to my sandwich, everything must be finished or I won't bother starting. It may save me some sanity and will absolutely improve my character. I started this blog so long ago, and have been scarce with the updates because I have so many other ways to quickly update people on other things. What if I kept up with it? What would happen? I became curious with this idea and want to try, so I'll start with the blog. Unofficially of course. Doing this would make me happy and give me yet another notch on my "Things I'm Already Doing" belt.

As for what I am doing, it's quite a story, but the short version is Cheerleading team, work, Church, Cheerleading team again, Work and some more Church. Yeah, I'm jam packed this year, and I enjoy it.

WAHW/M Syndrome!

2009-07-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

WAHW or Work At Home Wife syndrome is at pandemic stage!! WAHW leaves the sufferer feeling bored with everyday life, complacent in their work (you know the work they do at home.), and occasionally depressed. Oh, and sometimes they sing show tunes. Working at home creates so many procrastination opportunities, and probably results in OCD (yesterday I washed my toothbrush before bed). Then again, I know wives who don't have jobs, or who are this (pinches fingers together) close to snapping at work and doing something that will land them on CNN news. While I am an occasional sufferer of WAHW, I don't have that problem. My job provides for most of my basic needs, it's challenging in some ways, and comforting in others. I learn so much for what I'm getting paid to do, and very little is asked of me in return. And aside from the slight risk of carpal tunnel, there's little danger involved. I can go to work in my pajamas or a cocktail dress and my boss would be none the wiser. But today, I've decided to get dolled up for work, because I am grateful for my job, and quite frankly after all my griping it deserves it!

NOTE: This syndrome is totally worse for WAHM's, mom's who work from home, and/or have to play trucks for like 3 hours. Being a mom is very much a full time job for the ones I know.

I would die. Twice a week, i have a babysitting appointment with...let's call her "little angel", and without a positive attitude, and my husband, my schedule would be a bi-weekly nightmare. In this particular part of my life I know I am so blessed. Little Angel sleeps regularly and knows how to amuse herself most of the time, so I can work without her dying of boredom and crying. I do spend time playing with her when I can and then it's back to work until she needs me again, and that usually works. She does have her moments though, and it's times like those, that someone else needs to step in or I lose it big time. He usually does. After little angel leaves for the day I'm wiped, and housework slacks until I can re-group or Thom does it! As fortunate as I am though, I couldn't imagine being a mom and having to do everyday what I only have to do twice a week. Pass!

Luckily, I have an amazing husband who recognizes how hard I work, and does his absolute best to help me around the house when I need it. Some husbands think that working from home is isn't too challenging and therefore the wife should still be responsible for ALL of the household responsibilities and kid work. Thom knows work is sometimes frustrating and the last thing I feel like doing after typing for six hours is cleaning AND cooking. Quite frankly I'd rather not have to use my hands again the rest of the night (I can dream ok?). Having a husband that runs your errands for you, brings you chocolate at work, or puts "little angel" to sleep for you is like owning a goose that lays golden eggs, totally UN-REAL! I am so grateful for all of the good work Thom does. I constantly tell him he's too good for me, and I constantly thank my stars he never listens!

This setup is nothing new, but today I feel appreciative for what I have, and I have to say, it's looking pretty good to me right now! For every wife who works for a boss or her own children, I salute you (seriously, I'm doing it now). Live long and prosper WAHW/M's!

Separation Anxiety!!

2009-06-20T16:52:00.001-07:00

Okay It is that time of the summer again! People are moving and improving their lives out west. We ARE happy for them, but we're also sad to them go! Our two closest friends have packed up their families and moved out west all within a month of each other. It's so strange but I'm feeling a bit of separation anxiety in heart for all the fun times we have had, and were about to have but never made good on because we thought we had so much time! Don't get me wrong I'm not bawling my eyes out, I'm just a bit sullen for myself as I start the arduous close friend making challenge all over again! It's hard work! Anyways, last night I said my final goodbyes to our friend Jody as her family is heading out to Calgary. It was a good time we ate, reminisced, and heaped words of accomplishment for her and her family. With all the chaos last night, I wondered if one of these days it will be our turn. It won't be soon, but it could happen, I hope we'll be ready for it!

Uhm, What?!!!

2009-05-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, I knew that moving to Canada meant making a few sacrifices...Like no Chik-Fil-A, Ice cream trucks or laughing at jokes about Canadians on How I Met Your Mother. But this I will not take lying down. In the name of all things holy, why are there no fireworks on Victoria Day here in Guelph?! If this were America, people would be shouting from the rooftops, that it is Victoria day and "everyone and their dog is invited to the fireworks show in my backyard". I know that Canada is polite and not all showy and boistrous like us crass Americans but come on! Fireworks make holidays like Victoria Day exciting! Why not give the kids who are off for a day feel special and blast some pretty sparks for them? I'm somewhat insulted that the only way to find out what's going on around this town is to have lived here for the last 18 years, because there is no local events flyer! I hope that somehow we find some fireworks tonight or Victoria Day will feel like just another day off. Bahh!!

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Now playing: Simple Plan - Welcome To My Life
via FoxyTunes

So ready for Springtime!

2009-03-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Yes I lived in Philly for two years and yes I currently live in Canada, and yes, I know Springtime isn't due for another month or so! But I'm a Georgia girl, and I'm officially over the cold! Winter and I are broken up for the spring and summer and will probably reconcile just in time for Christmas 2009. It's April in 24 hours, and It is an injustice that -6 is the expected high for 3 weeks running! So I've taken matters into my own hands, I'm celebrating spring, whether it's cold or not. I have my shorts ready, my not so long sleeved T-shirts and my seasonal depression is lifting. Everything is aligned. I'm just waiting for the frost to thaw on the park across the street and I'm good to go. I've even started spring cleaning...It's a big deal!

Older and Wiser

2009-03-08T11:25:00.001-07:00

Friday was my birthday and I received (what I thought was) the best present ever from my husband. i had complete and TOTAL IMMUNITY from cooking and cleaning which for me never really happens unless i whine about it. Ha! So much for that, although I had a great relaxing birthday i ended up with all the dishes from friday in the sink Saturday morning! The old 21 year old Andrea might have cleaned them, but the new and and improved, not-a-pushover 22 year old Andrea had none of it! The dawn of a new era is beginning, and that era is called, the "screw this, it's your turn to do the dishes" era. Ah, the glory of getting older and wiser!

Meet our newest addition...Rufus!

2009-01-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

WE have a kitten!

His name is Rufus and he is darling...we've been working up to this surprise for a while and finally felt ready enough to take the plunge. This sweet little guy brightens our lives and keeps us sharp, lately he's taken to falling asleep in our bed and occasionally attacking our feet! Rufus has taken quite a liking to Thom's leg hair, and proceeds to fiddle with it every now and then. We love our kitty and think it's only right to give him his own post introduction! So here he is!

We're back, missed us eh?

2009-01-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

Thom and I went down to Ottawa where his parents live for Christmas, I have now officially met all the Palmer siblings, now there is the matter of Thom's Sister in Law, I have yet to meet, but I know one day it's going to happen. Our trip had everything a good Christmas should: Kids, Snow, Candy, Family Dinners, Candy, Movies, Candy, oh and did I mention Candy? Thom and I ate a ton of it, and didn't get a single tummy ache!

We were away for two weeks for Christmas, and as much fun as we had we felt a strange joy coming back home. Our tiny apartment felt warm and inviting, like it missed us and was welcoming us back. And then came the plunge back into school for Thom and Work and a new online class for me. I honestly don't remember school being this hard, but for what it's worth I am loving the whole gaining purpose in my life through school thing. There are some fun new adjustments up ahead, and we've got a new arrival creeping around our apartment now, can you guess what it is? I'll give you a hint, it's tiny, has four legs, Claws and way better health care coverage than I do...

New this week

2008-12-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

1.) We're Alive!

And although not very attentive to this blog , happy and doing well. Neither Thom nor myself have come down with any major illnesses (success), so we're proud of our progress!

2.) Mystery news

I have really exciting news, but I can't tell you guys until after next Sunday...(hint- It's AWESOME!)

And finally...

Thom's only got one exam left tomorrow! The studying sessions, the preparation drills, the Boring conversations --about things I haven't had to care about since I was in my freshman year of college-- are almost over!!

I know it doesn't seem that exciting, but when you're us, it is!!

Keep your fingers crossed for Thom tomorrow.

Twilight

2008-11-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

Ok,

I'm not really afraid of anything, in fact I love scary movies. It's usually Thom that won't watch, but now the wimp shoe is on the other foot. vampire freak me out, and I don't want to see Twilight...because vampires freak me out. Give me zombies, wolves, the monster from Cloverfield...anything, but not vampires.

There's just something about a creature that looks human but eats humans, that offends me in a way. I am terrified yet excited to watching this movie, and just Thom thinks it might be cool, and plans on going. Seriously, I'm too grossed out to be able to sit still, but I have to admit the books were awesome. Reading and watching are too different things, and going all "mom" on him about the violence only makes me look more like a wuss. Maybe it won't be so bad, I mean I am excited to see it, but I just can't shake the gross feeling. I'm thinking of just biting the bullet, and initiating the outing so when i cringe into Thom's shoulder in disgust, I'll retain a small fraction of my cool points. I could be getting all grossed out for nothing, maybe there's not even any blood...right. Wish me luck!

Outside picnics good...Sun Bad!

2008-11-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

Now that the weather is getting colder, we'll take any semi-nice day we get! Thom and decided that last week was a pretty nice week to spend a few days outside, walking, playing, ya know? Fun stuff! On friday we had a picnic outside followed by an almost-nap. The sun was ridiculously bright, but we enjoyed our frolicking anyway.

Aww, the sun was too bright!

Welcome to Change-ville, Population: America

2008-11-05T12:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a historic day; Thom and I heard a presidential acceptance speech from an African American man!! My friends and family who have talked and complained about this day never happening, were appeased. This era will be changing hopefully, for the better. Barack Obama is the Poster child for change and I hope he will be able to live up to his promises. One of the best things about yesterday was that I contributed to that effort! It is one thing to just vote for the sake of voting, but quite another to vote with hope behind the cause, with a vested interest in the results. For the first time in my life I took part in selecting the future leader of this country and my pick won! Another first was my husband learning that I voted for Barack Obama because I believe his policy will get us out of this mess were in (eventually), and not because of his skin color. So many people chose to vote for Obama because he is black, and I feel sorry for them, and embarrased. I'm not some uninformed follower, and I was happy to know that my husband didn't expect that of me. I am but one of many young American minorities that actually understands the crisis the US is in, and chose the right man to end it. Thom learned about the different policies, and how each would play a major role in the state of the WORLD (yes, i said "world"). I am happy with my choice, although time will tell how long it lasts.

For those unfamiliar with Obamas platform I encourage you to educate yourself, from a pure, reliable source http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ .
If you find anything fuzzy or in need of clarification, drop me a line, I have no problem answering your questions.

Welcome,Halloween & New Callings!!!

2008-11-04T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hello one and all!

We just wanted to welcome you to our blog, because we figure that you'd probably like to see and read about our "exciting" lives.

We do have some exciting news to report Thom was called and sustained as Assistant Ward Clerk this past Sunday, as was I to the Enrichment Committee.

Halloween was fun this year we met a new ward member attending the university, she's only 17! Her name is Jessica and she's very shy so we invited her to bowl, and watch movies with us. Thom has a few classes with her, so she can at least interact with someone who will make adjusting a bit smoother. I was a cat (sort of), Thom was himself and Jessica was a flower, and a darn cute one too!
Overall a good time was had here in Guelph.