Average Tuesday Night

Tonight was a typical Tuesday night.  I cleaned a bit.  I cooked up some walleye and brought it to Ken at work.  Now I'm occupying myself in front of the computer while waiting for A2 to call for a ride home from work.

Yes, my desktop is a mess.  I'm catching up on the Bachelor on our iPad while surfing the forums on GOMI.  I'm trying out a box of the new Girls Scout cookie, Mango Cremes, and sucking down a bottle of Coke (regular, none of that diet crap for me).  The cookies are okay.  Good but it's strange having mango as a cookie flavor.  Other random things on my desk are my phone bill, a paper flower that the Primary children passed out last Mothers' Day, the book French Women Don't Get Fat by Mirelle Guilano, and the DVD Minion Madness.  Clutter, clutter!  It's not too bad though.  Most of it will be gone by the end of the night.

Have a great one, everybody.

The Story of Us: My Coach Likes You

Ken and I, about 9 months after we started dating

When Ken and I met, the last thing on my mind was getting married.

The summer I turned twenty-six, I was pretty depressed.  Basically I just went to work, exercised, and drank.  I went through a string of men that I met at bars.  I believe I was just so desperate for human touch that I was willing to do anything to feel close to someone.   These random hook ups did nothing except make me feel more lonely than ever.  It wasn't what I wanted.  I knew that I wasn't living my life the way I knew I should.

Once September rolled around, I decided I was going to focus on what was important to me.  I started going to my niece's and nephew's soccer games every Saturday morning.

Ken was A2's coach for a 9-10 year old team.  My nephew was also on his team.  I noticed Ken and how good looking he was.  I just assumed he was married because what kind of single man coaches soccer.  So I pegged him as a nice piece of eye candy that I could check out occasionally while cheering on my nephew.  One day, after a game, we did actually talk to one another about our hometowns and where he went fishing.  More like a good teasing than actual talking.  That was our only interaction until the end of the season.

The last game day was on October 21st.  I decided, since I had been out late the night before, that I was going to just sleep in.  It was a good plan except the phone rang at 7:00 am.  My sister was calling to tell me to come to the last games.  They were playing the championship tournament and I should be there because I had gone to all the other games.  I still balked at the idea of going.  Then my sister said, "[Your nephew] has something to tell you."  Since I couldn't convince her to tell me over the phone, I told her I would be down there as soon as I could.

I was a hot mess.  I don't even know if I washed off the makeup that I forgot to wash off the night before.  I threw on this horrible faded Trix (yes, the breakfast cereal)  tshirt that belonged to my little sister, a hoodie, jeans, my raincoat and a scarf.  Add on top, a Matt Kenseth baseball cap and I was ready to go.  My niece's game was at eight and I would be about five minutes late.

When I arrived, I bought a hot chocolate and searched for my family on the sidelines.  As soon as I walked up and said hello, my nephew whipped around and, with a big grin on his face, said, "My coach likes you."  I didn't know what to say.  It's not everyday that I  have a nine year old attempt to find me a date.  Not to mention that I was embarrassed.  Why embarrassed?  I have no idea why.  Probably because I like to keep my love life hidden from my family.

After my niece's game (a loss), we had about a half hour before my nephews game started.  I decided I was going to play with my niece and started chasing her around on an empty soccer field.  Ken must have really wanted to talk to me because he came over by us and started teasing my niece.  My sister then called her away and I was left standing there with Ken.  Awkward doesn't begin to describe how I felt standing there, not knowing how to talk to a man that I knew nothing about except that he went fishing in Rhinelander and didn't like driving through the town I went to high school in.

We talked a little bit.  I can't remember what we said.  Probably just getting to know you type stuff.  Then he looked at his watch and said, "I have to go coach the next game but will you wait around for me after the game?"  Obviously I assented or I wouldn't be telling this story today.

Two games were played back to back.  My nephew's team won both of them.  I cheered loudly as any good aunt should.  In between games, I remember that my sister said something along the lines of, "Don't worry about who that woman is.  It's just his ex-wife."  I wasn't even looking at Ken then but there was a short, blond woman talking to him.  I didn't care.  My sister was pretty keen on making sure I knew that he was absolutely single though.  

Once the game was over, I talked with my sister's family a little bit before they finally left.  Ken finished putting away equipment and then came over and talked to me.

Remember how I said I only put a raincoat on?  Big mistake.  It was freezing and I was shivering and trying desperately to not let my teeth chatter.   Ken was talking on and on, asking questions and I don't remember a thing he said.  Later, he told me he thought I wasn't interested in him because it seemed like I just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.  I did, but only because I was freezing.  Finally, he brought our conversation to an end by saying he needed to get A2 home and check on A1, who went home earlier with a migraine.  He then asked if it would be okay to call me?  Of course.  We exchanged phone numbers and thankfully, I could finally get into my nice warm car, head home, and take a hot shower.

A Dog That Slowly Learns How To Talk

Just about everyone knows that we want to have another baby.  Crazy, right?  Especially since we are just over two years from no longer being legally responsible for our current pair of boys.  

Despite our impending freedom, we just aren't ready for that phase of our life to be over. 

photo source

Before A Fall

Ken and I only wear our wedding rings when we go out.  Usually it is he who forgets to wear his ring and I remember to put it on.

Of course, we joke that when we wear our rings, we remember to be married.

The last few times we've gone out together, I've been the one to forget while he has his on.  My standard joke is that it looks like he's cheating with me.

Today we were headed out for a day of shopping.

Me: Oh, look.  I forgot to be married today.

Ken:  Not me.  (holds up his beringed hand)  You look like a home wrecking whore.

Me:  That sounds horrible.  Why would you say that?

Ken:  'Cuz you say it when you forget to wear yours.

Me:  You're right.


These are typical conversations that don't even phase me anymore.  On the other hand, I got myself a few pretties today.  A bracelet, dangly earrings, and sunglasses.

I also picked up a pair of nude pumps (once again, late to the dance).  They have five inch spike heels and an inch high platform.  I love them and they don't pinch.  Of course, my poor feet are in agony after wearing them for ten minutes but that is long enough to get from my car to a seat in church.

I decided to walk around in them since my usual shoes tend to be much more sensible than these.  A little practice is always good when one is no longer used to wearing stripper high heels.  I walked around in my dining room and then headed upstairs with no incident.  I put together an outfit for church tomorrow and tried it on with barely a wobble.

You know what's going to happen, right?

I decided to ask Ken what he thought of the outfit.  I stepped out into our upstairs hall and felt something inside one of the shoes.  So I lifted my foot and leaned over to pull off my shoe and remove the offending irritant.

WHAM!

I landed on my backside.  Surprisingly, I only said ow because I bumped my elbow on the hardwood floor.  Apparently I can not balance like a stork in stripper heels.

Ken's response:  He yelled up the stairs, "If you hurt yourself, I am never letting you buy heels again."

Then he decided to play Nice Husband and asked if I was hurt or if I needed help up.

I can now walk properly in them.  Luckily the only thing hurt was my pride and vanity.

Looking for Greener Pastures

Right now I am pretty dissatisfied with my job.  It really isn't hard work and I enjoy the clients I have.  I guess it's because I have no stimulation.  I do the same things day after day, week after week.  There is nothing that stimulates my mind and I find that very important.  I also drive fifteen miles one way to work only two hours.  It doesn't seem like a lot but when you drive a gas-guzzling Blazer, my pay only amounts to about $4.50 an hour. 

I want to quit so badly.  I don't quit because I like getting out of the house and I like earning the little bit of money I make.  I have been looking for something closer to home but things have not been panning out.  I just need something part time that isn't going to be every weekend. 

I feel guilty admitting this.  I feel guilty feeling this way.  So many people do not even have a job to complain about.  I have a husband who works a job he isn't happy with because he has to support the family.  He has to provide insurance for his often ill or injured wife. 

I think my main problem is that I know what I want for a career.  I gave that dream up when I started seeing Ken.  I don't regret that part.  I knew right away Ken was the man I was going to marry.  It's not his fault we have to live where we do, hours away from the closest school that offers my preferred program of study.  Maybe, in a few years if we don't have more children, I can live away from home the four years required for the degree I want. 

For now, I continue to look for something that is a better fit for me.  And I realize how blessed I am to be able to pick and choose the job I want and that I even have the option to quit altogether. 

Have a great day everyone.