Tales of the Ordinary Days

Oscar to the left and Felix to the right Stealing a phrase from a friend of mine; 'we have a situation' at my house. I live with Felix and Oscar. The Odd Couple. For those of my age and older, you completely understand of whom I am referring. For those younger and confused, check with your friend, Wikipedia. This relationship has existed for some time, but has escalated over the last year. Post-marriage, Garrett and I have began spending our weekends with each other's kids and with more overall time in Omaha. Although the result has been a culture shock to both Ben and Garrett, it has been no surprise to me. Most say merging families in re-marriage is hard on the kids. The truth is that it is harder on the step-parents. Let me just throw out the core of the issue. Ben is a train wreck. This assertion is not a surprise to those who have known him his whole life. As a forever-smiling toddler, when asked his name, he would say "I'm Benny and I'm a train wr...

We were able to sneak away for a drink and apps on our anniversary I love a good picture and a good story. And a good margarita doesn't hurt either. Today my husband flew back to Denver. By my calculations, we spent close to a month straight by each other's side. That is a first in our history of 63 months of togetherness. And then there is our other record. Our record of never missing a day of communicating since our first call. This has yet to be broken. By my quick calculation, we are on day number 1925 of that streak. In my estimation, this daily communication doesn't give us bragging rights. That is pretty easy to accomplish in today's world; even with the 550 mile distance that stood between us most days during years 1 - 4. We like communicating and sharing life. A plus for a couple that I don't take for granted. But 30 days of togetherness. That was a happy feat. Planes, work and kids' schedules dominate our lives. Although we are much more...

A little sunshine to add to a down day Day Five. I am on Day Five of being down with the flu. That's a long time. A least, for me. When I woke up feeling ill Monday morning, I convinced myself it was just a cold setting in. I would work from home in the morning, nurse the cold, and be back to normal by lunch. Not so much. It soon became apparent that I was fighting a bug and likely the flu. By bedtime, I was miserable. My favorite physician's assistant advised on liquids and sleep. Not much more you can do with the flu, she told me. So I have been drinking lots of water and laying low. Being a rule-follower, I am following her advice. My favorite physician's assistant also told me that it would take me a week to get better. I didn't believe her. I always get better sooner than most. My ACL doctor told me I was his favorite kind of patient. My recuperation period was dreamy. This made me glow with pride. Exactly what I wanted to be; the patient given the big ...