it's in the little things

Yes, my husband is home from Alaska!!

Life is bright and busy again.  I've been enjoying the little things, the tiny moments that happen and are gone in a flash unless you really, really pay attention and hold onto them as long as you can.  For example, riding shotgun as we travel down the highway, windows down, sunroof open, sun shining, singing along to classic country songs, my hand on his leg, his arm resting on my arm.  Just like that.  Nothing fancy.  Just together.

We've been really living up the mundane.  Like shopping for bed sheets.  And going to the Department of Licensing.  And making a Costco trip.  And this one week has come and gone in the blink of an eye.  I'm just thankful for my husband and our life together.  I wouldn't want it any other way.


Life around here in pictures:

Heart shaped wildflowers...

 

Industrious honeybees...

 

 

Sweet Pea blossoms...

 

 

A breakfast fit for royalty:  garden grown summer squash, beets, and basil alongside store bought carrots and onions, fried in coconut oil with two beautiful fresh eggs.  Seasoned with sea salt and fresh pepper.  So super good.  I felt spoiled!

 

 

 

 

 

We spent some time in Fairhaven this afternoon.  It's a cute old town type community.  The buildings were full of character, the streets were cobblestone, and many of the businesses were guarded by sweet old dogs laying in the doorways.

 

A pretty garden terrace in a side alley...

 

 

 

Our lunch:  burgers and fresh cut fries...

 

 

 

 

Blake completed a five day intensive wrestling camp today along with a good number of his team and about 100 other wrestlers.  It's called "intensive" for a reason and those boys were exhausted and sore! 

 

Here's the group right at the end just as they were being dismissed...

 

 

 

And here they are after root beer floats and burgers at Red Robin...

 

 

 

 

Until next time!

 

Day 42

Wherein I write about the time my husband went to Alaska to work on a commercial fishing boat...

The man is my best friend, the air in my lungs, the purpose to my heartbeat.  He's been away for forty two of the longest days.  Forty two lonely sleeps.  And only now that we are just hours away from reuniting (48 hours and the countdown continues) do I finally feel that the weight is being lifted from my chest.  His absence was crushing.  I read that and it does sound just so dramatic and silly.  But it's what I've felt and I won't deny that.  I love my husband with all I am.  We are truly bonded as is the goal of marriage.  Two souls united as one.

I'm thankful for the opportunity he had to be part of a great crew for a great captain.  I'm thankful he got this experience.  This trip was his first ever flight in an airplane.  His first time to Alaska.  His first time commercial fishing.  And I trust that he's made memories, been challenged, and will come home having gained from these six weeks.

For me, I'm ready to put this behind us.  I did not have fun.  I felt lost the entire time.  (Side note: days 9 - 15 with my sister were a welcome and wonderful reprieve).  I survived by keeping my head just above water for six weeks.  But that's all.  I survived.

Day 44 will be a happy reunion!

Day 36

Wherein I write about the time my husband went to Alaska on a commercial fishing boat...



I am currently:

Reading...  Monk, An Original Mystery Novel by Lee Goldberg

Watching...  4 seasons into a girlie show on Netflix with only 2 episodes left!  Can you say "binge watching"??

Trying...  to be artistic with watercolors.  T-r-y-i-n-g.  And making pretty things with markers and colored pencils.  The visual arts are, sadly, not my forte.

Cooking...  Not much cooking happening in my kitchen recently.

Eating...  Atrociously.  Things like Little Caesar's and Klondike Bars and popsicles which I try to balance out with lots of apples and baby carrots.

Drinking...  Water and coffee and water and coffee and water and coffee.

Doing...  I gave myself a full on mani-pedi today.  There was pink glitter involved.  There is often pink glitter involved.  I've also been experimenting a bit with my hair and makeup.  This is what a single girl has time for I guess. 

Here's a recent hair and makeup shot that I sent to my husband:

 

 

Going...  With much free time to fill I've done my share of bargain hunting, thrifting, and coffee shop sitting.  I've also taken myself to lunch more than once.  Actually, I did every one of those things today.

Today's lunch from The Lotus Tea Bar.  A chilled glass bottle of water and a sandwich called "The Dancer" (turkey, cream cheese, arugula, spinach, provolone, and blackberry spread).

Loving...  this dog.  My Charlie is so faithful, loyal, selfless, loving, patient, perceptive, and sweet.  In this picture he had spotted a seagull perched on a building while we were in the parking lot.  Maybe he was wondering how that white chicken got itself up there?

Thinking...  my eldest son and I are very similar.  We share much the same personalities and have a way of communicating with each other using only facial expressions.  When I first saw him, moments after he was born, my first thought was, "he has my eyes".  It was surreal at that moment to see a part of me in that tiny little creature. 

What do you think?

Hoping...  There is an unconfirmed date that my husband might be coming home.  I won't publish that because I don't want to get too excited in case it ends up being later.  But it's soon.

 

In case you didn't see the picture on Facebook, here he is, fishing in Alaska.  Sigh.  He's so handsome.

Listening...  My new-to-me car came with 3 months of satellite radio.  I've been taking full advantage of that since I learned how to work it.  Lots of  "Coffeehouse" and classic country and crooners.  The no commercials aspect is amazing.

Smelling...  It's beautiful here on Whidbey Island and my windows and doors are open most days.  The breeze is fresh and clean.  Not much rain so I've needed to water my garden.  One sunflower has bloomed.

Until next time!

Day 31

Wherein I write about the time my husband went to Alaska to work on a commercial fishing boat...

He's been gone for thirty-one days.  Texts are inconsistent and unreliable.  Phone calls are a rare luxury.  When I'm loneliest I'll reread the texts he's sent, study the pictures that have come through. 

But, we've turned a corner.  We're nearer the end than the beginning.  We're in homecoming month.  And now I look forward to being close to him, holding his hand, spending every day with him. 

We'll be celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary shortly after his return.  And we're taking a trip to Oklahoma together and road-tripping home, just us two.  These thoughts have helped me through many days.

As much as I would have loved to spend every day of the last thirty-one days in my pajamas, I've tried to keep myself active, distracted.  That's not to say I haven't spent my fair share of time doing absolutely nothing.

Day 22: coffee meeting to discuss the church picnic
Day 24: meet up with a friend to talk about her grand adventure to the Dominican Republic
Day 25: make spaghetti and meatballs and have a dinner guest
Day 27: Independence Day church picnic

filling a piñata at the picnic

 

Day 28: home town parade with friends and a movie marathon at home

photographer capturing the folks across the street from us

 

Day 29: take in the mall in Bellingham with Blake

The first sunflower of the summer.

 

I prefer the black and white version (so dramatic!)...

 

And today, Day 31:

Sleep in as late as a teenager.  Get dressed and put some makeup on.  Take myself out for Chinese food.  Walk downtown and hang out at the coffee shop.  Walk through the farmer's market, stopping to listen to the young man playing his violin.

 

 

Until next time!