A New Job

Starting Tuesday, I will be a cook at Olga's Kitchen on Wealthy. I am shocked and nervous. Going back to work is going to take a little adjusting, but there is something about preparing food and working under stress that really excites me.

I have been off of work since March, due to my back problems. I have been feeling fantastic and physical therapy is going really well. I continue to put my back to the test in new ways, and it seems to be holding up. So, I need to get back at making money instead of just spending it.

I have a ton of great memories from this summer that I would not have been able to make if I didn't quit my job in order to have back surgery and fully recover without being rushed.

I am happy with how quickly I was able to find a job, but hope I will not become content with it but continue to question who I am and what I am supposed to be doing.

Optimistic

I am a generally optimistic person when it comes to people, possibly to an unhealthy end. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, and usually find reasons to allow people a second, third, and fourth chances after they have messed up.

But I have to say, lately people have been painfully disappointing.

And I wonder, why is it that nobody returns messages? Why do people not stick to what they say they are going to do? Why is it that those you care about don't care about you?

Perhaps this is just me setting expectations too high and hoping too much.
Or perhaps I have missed the things that people have done.

But right now, I am disappointed.

Again.

15 Miles

We went for a bike ride today on the White Pine Trail along the Grand River, riding about 15 miles total. We packed a lunch with homemade sandwiches and nectarines. Also in our pack was what we thought would be plenty of water, about three liters. Unfortunately, we ran about about three miles from our car.


We're almost done - time to stop and take some pictures. We couldn't take very many because we didn't have a memory card.



My sexy husband finishing off the last of the water. :)

Home Cookin'

One thing that was really hard about being away from home the available options for food. We ate junk for a week. We tried to collect some healthy options by stopping at a farmers market, but meals choices are limited without having a stove to cook on.

Last night we picked up our share from the Community Supported Agriculture that we're members of. We brought home tons of goodies; tomatoes, watermelon, nectarines, kale, peppers, carrots, as well as salad greens and basil. To finish stocking our kitchen, we made a stop to get some non-produce items at Meijers.

And tonight, we made some delicious spinach pasta. We sauteed scallops, garlic, kale (chopped really fine), green pepper, and mushrooms seasoned with some fresh basil, oregano, parsley, and rosemary. We mixed the sauteed veggies with the spinach pasta, some pesto, tomatoes and parmesan cheese.

After a long, depressing day, it was the perfect pick me up. For dessert we had some fresh watermelon. Tony also made some homemade bread today.

It is amazing how much a nutritious, homemade meal can change your mood.

Home Sweet Home

We returned home late Tuesday night, quickly making our way to our bed to get some much needed sleep.

The trip to South Carolina unfortunately turned out to not be a vacation but a very stressful experience in many ways.

We did have some fun, including swimming in the ocean at Myrtle Beach as well as the date night that Tony and I had. We went out to dinner and spent some time together on the beach. It was a very much needed time to ourselves.

I have a few battle wounds from the trip, including a gouge in my leg from a fight with my brother, a detached fingernail that hurts like hell (I will never get acrylic nails again), a cut in my other index finger, and I am coming down with a cold. I figure the combination of the stress and poor eating has lead to a weakened immune system.

The good news is that my back doesn't hurt. In fact, it is doing really well.

I learned that while I love my mom very much, spending one week with her traveling is not a good idea.

I also noticed some alarming realities about dynamics of relationships, similarities in ways stress is handled, and the way I deal with poor situations. Hopefully I will remember what I have learned and actually act on it.

I was amazed at how great of a peacemaker Tony is. I have always known he is kind and gentle, but this trip really showed me how easily Tony can stay calm and have grace even when people treat him poorly. He really is an amazing man.

So all in all, not the vacation we hoped for, but we have some great memories and learned more about ourselves.

Florence, South Carolina

We are in South Carolina. We were welcomed upon our arrival with 70 degree weather, complete with cloudy skies and a day of rainfall.

Today, we have a full day planned. Beth and I are going to check out the local farmers market. Already Tony and I are sick of fast food and unhealthy options. Fortunately, we have a fridge in our room, so we hope to find some fresh food today.

After that we are going to spend some "girl time" getting our nails done for the wedding. For those of you that know me, you know I never do this. I figure it will be nice to share the experience with Beth.

Then, we plan to play tennis and swim in the pool. We just have to find some balls...

Tony is planning on staying at the hotel and getting some work done. Apparently there are some issues that need to be worked out for the expo in Vegas.

In the evening mom, Beth and I are going to a shower for Ashley and later Tony Beth and I are going to hang out.

At some point, my dad and his wife and my grandparents should be arriving.

There are many areas of tension, due to several strained relationships which should lead to some interesting/stressful moments.

Let the fun begin!

Recent Petty Happenings

Upon our return from the island, life has been mostly uneventful.

We are preparing for our trip to South Carolina for my brother's wedding. We will be leaving early Wednesday and coming home late the following Tuesday. Unfortunately, we will be missing one of our weekly pick ups of fresh veggies from our CSA.

I have started physical therapy again. I met with my surgeon a few weeks ago and he said that I am "good to go" but gave me a prescription for physical therapy at my request. I want to make sure I do everything possible to prevent this from happening again. So far therapy is going really well and I am feeling the benefits. Hooray for recovery.

My friend Heather, who lives in Alaska, called the other night with wonderful news that she is pregnant. Her and her husband have been trying for years, and were looking at really slim odds. I am so happy for them.

I got my first ever parking ticket yesterday. Stupid fire hydrants. It was during PT and I figure I can send it in to health insurance, and they will cover it since it is a health related expense. :)

Tony's mom is in the hospital again. She had seizures last night and she is going to be in the hospital for a few days.

My grandma had her 12th surgery recently. She went to mayo because none of the doctors around here would take her case. Fortunately, the surgery went well and she was released the next day.

My next post will probably be either during or after our trip to South Carolina, hopefully with pictures.