Yoo 500 - Anniversary Numero Uno

^^ no bats ^^

^^ bats ^^

Remember how this is my 500th blog post?? Over six years ago I was a college student in the icicled classrooms of BYU-Idaho, and now, a mere 500 posts later, I'm in the armpit of Texas (i say that mostly lovingly) with a college degree, a career, a house, a dog, two cars, and a husband. With a whole lot of good memories to look back on!

Even if I do re-read most of my old posts and just feel dumb for what I wrote.

:-)

So the Greggerly spouse and I celebrated an anniversary over this past weekend and after a full year of experience, I've decided that this marriage thing is weird and makes no sense.

Before I got married, I had all sorts of time to spend hours running and biking and swimming and lifting weights. I had the money to enter any fun distance competition that caught my eye. I had the time and money to travel whenever I wanted to.

I bought myself cool things without thinking.

I could spend weekends camping or hiking or road tripping or cleaning my house or doing whatever I wanted to do.

Are you sensing a theme here? I had all this freedom. Greg was there but my little universe still centered around me.

Fast forward a year.

I have so many more demands on my time. And there's another person to coordinate schedules with! I can't just up and travel whenever my soul wishes. I have to be really smart with my time if I want to spare an hour for the gym or a run. No more 3+ hour workouts! Extra money goes towards tuition instead of race entries or fun toys. Weekends are used for serving in church callings together instead of adventuring to unwind from a tough week. The whole of it is a lot more work and a lot less play.

Sacrificing today for a hopefully better future, or something.

On paper it looks really depressing. Who would sign up for that??

My priorities in life have really shifted over this past year, and I expect them to continue to shift as time goes by and new life stages hit.

But in reality, I don't regret getting married. Most days. Haha! There's just something really awesome about knowing Greg is there and he's mine. Whether I'm peeved to the ceiling with him or feeling all sparkly in love again. Buddies for life and stuff. Strangely, it's fun.

And a lot less lonely.

Now back to the celebrating an anniversary part. We ate that year-old portion of our wedding cake. Which was uncommonly delicious after it had properly thawed. And I have some freezer space back!

I'm still not sure why that's a tradition? But I can put a check-mark next to it and move on with life.

We spent the weekend playing tourist in Austin, though it wasn't as fun as I'd dreamed it to be. A few of the activities we'd planned fell thru and unfortunately that scrambled us up a bit. And I hardly took any pictures. But we did get to canoe on the lake, which was gorgeous, and spend a lot of time in Zilker park. Oh how spoiled Austinites are with those beautiful jogging trails! There were also a couple really good food cart trips that almost made the trip worth it alone. And bats, let's not forget the bats.

Not quite as exciting as last July 20th, but at least I had my overnight bag this time and didn't have to wear Greg's clothes!

You win some, you lose some.

On to the next year of this marriage thing!

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 492 - Back In Nebraska

Dearest of Greggerlies,

Do you miss me? Us? It's been over a day now. Does the condo just seem super huge and empty? I bet you didn't even know what to do last night with that big huge queen bed all to yourself. Could you even sleep like that?? I can't even imagine. I can imagine that you've turned the thermostat way down and are leaving all the fans running.

Which I'm more than willing to let you get away with, but don't be surprised when I still freak out over the utility bill like I always do.

What is your life like without a nagging wife, anyways? Did you eat all the icecream? Don't forget about that big cucumber still on the plant and also, I think there was a tomato about ready. And the garden needs watered...

Do you want to hear about everything you've missed?

Well yesterday I drove for 14 hours and Roscoe slept, mostly. It was just like you were there! Except I missed two crucial intersections because there was no one to remind me to pay attention. One of them was on a toll road and I had to pay it twice. That was fun. When Roscoe wasn't sleeping he was escaping from his car harness and trying to climb in the front seat. That was really safe. Also, I only drank about 10 ounces of Mountain Dew to stay awake. Can you believe it??

Other important thoughts from the drive. I really like how Ford named their SUV lineup. Escape, Explorer, Expedition. They're so fitting for each size and they all start with E! Do you think that was planned? Stupid question. Also, next time we drive up to Nebraska together we need to stop at the "world's largest porch swing" in Hebron, Nebraska. I imagine that's fantastic. And lastly, there were a million combines out harvesting wheat and I especially missed you then because you would have been so excited.

Clay Center is so green. You've never been here in the summer. We're going to have to remedy that soon. The summer here is so pretty.

The wheat fields contrast so intensely with the green beans and corn. Don't you just want to run your hand thru the tops of those shoots?

The corn is thriving like it always does. But it is a little shorter than normal. I guess it was a late planting season.

Roscoe loves the corn fields.

Actually, there's not much that Roscoe doesn't like here. Dad won't let him sit on the couch...I don't think he likes that. But most everything else seems to be in his favor.

I'm eating really well. Can you just smell that BBQ pork?? Oh it was delicious. And those strawberries! There's lots of food. Don't worry about me starving. I am a little worried about you starving though...there wasn't much left to eat in the house.

I will try to bring you some Potato Oles and a Runza because I know how much that would mean to you.

But back to how Roscoe loves his life.

Shoot. To be a dog in the country! I'm sure, deep-down, he really appreciates all the work and studying you're doing back home to fund his adventures and lifestyle.

It's really not the same without you, but I'm managing to keep myself entertained with siblings and cousins and the simple joys of being home.

Do you hate your life? Probably. Especially after those food pictures. I'm sorry...that was a low blow. I super duper love you and give you permission to watch those dumb cartoons and turn the thermostat up and *gasp* drink a soda, if it comes to that.

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 478 - Actually, It's Roscoe

^^ doesn't know he has a neutering appointment...ignorance is bliss

It pains me to say this because I loved the name Husker from the second my mom suggested it. At the time, Husker seemed like such a friendly identity for the golden tail-wagger trotting in front of me. But then my subconscious took over and I kept accidentally calling him Roscoe last night and it seemed to really fit and henceforth he shall be known as Roscoe.

Though Husker Hall has quite the ring to it and I still technically have about 18 hours to decide before his name is officially implanted in his flesh (we're getting him microchipped).

Our first night with Roscoe was pretty swell, although his future Petsmart privileges are under consideration. I think that place is sensory overload for even the most composed Labrador.

We dropped him off at the vet this morning, expecting to pick him up much less of a man this afternoon. However, this is a little stupid, we didn't realize that dogs are like humans and shouldn't eat before surgery. So, when they asked us if we'd fed him in the last 12 hours, we emphatically assured them that we had (that's what good owners do, right?) and it was a problem.

"We'll have to do the surgery tomorrow."

That's when I made a horrible decision, based purely on convenience, to leave Roscoe there overnight and now I miss him terribly and feel like a horrible person.

I kind of wish he'd left a hidden pile of poo or peed on something this morning cause then this would be easier.

What else can I tell you? Greg made a roast for dinner and is now standing next to the bed folding laundry while I lazily type away at my computer. I guess I don't hate being the sugar momma right now. He had the day off to run school errands so this is a rare occurrence...

Now I'm done.

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 477 - Introducing...Husker*

^^ husker's first picture

*still waiting on Greg's approval of this name...

We were not planning on getting a dog.

I know I just wrote a post pining about how I wanted a dog...but that was mostly coincidence. This morning I woke up with no plans of acquiring a canine anytime soon.

But then my coworker told me about this well-behaved yellow lab that he'd found abandoned and everything was falling into place too perfectly and I thought about it for half a second before I exclaimed, "We'll take him!".

It was really super hard to focus on work after that. During meetings my mind was all:

"DOGdogDOGdogDOG dog dog dog dog DOGdogDOGdogDOG dog dog dog dogdogdogdogdogdog dog dog DOG DOGDOGDOGDOGDOGDOG dooooooooooog dog."

What do I think about that solution?

"I'm getting a doggie."

What am I working on?

"I think I could name it Gecko. Or Roscoe. One of those has to fit."

Who owns that software application?

"Maybe I'll order pizza tonight, too."

 I was a lost cause, more so than usual, all day. And then I rushed home, dog-proofed my house, and an hour later...Husker (or Roscoe).

Greg just got home right now and there's still some debate over Roscoe or Husker. What should we name it? I'm pretty set on Husker.

Husker is really mellow until he sees a rabbit and then he remembers he's a big dog and uses that to his advantage. I have not heard him bark yet. He's a year(ish) old with really big paws. Belly scratches are favorite. I'm not sure what he thinks of all this but I just fed him a chicken nugget and I think I'm going to be his best friend forever.

Now, excuse me while I go fulfill one of my life-long dreams of walking into a Petsmart WITH MY DOG.

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 476 - I Want A Dog, And Other Thoughts

The following is a collection of disjointed thoughts, beginning with puppy talk.

I'm not excited about the prospect of having babies yet. But I want a dog. Specifically, a chocolate lab puppy named Moose. Preferably a rescue adoption. Moose will energetically run around wearing a handkerchief during the day and then help me defend my side of the bed at night.

Googling "chocolate lab puppy" just now was the worst thing I've done to myself in a while.

Hold on. There are a ton of sirens.

...

Ok, that was anticlimactic. Six fire trucks, two police cars, and an ambulance just congregated outside the med school. And then left a minute later. Like an expensive flash mob, or something.

But back to my thoughts. Want to know how I know I'm not living in a fairy tale?

I'll tell you. Friday night I came home late from a band concert with a very full bladder. And not one, but BOTH of our toilets were clogged. The downstairs one with a very unpleasant surprise that elicited a fair amount of "candid" feedback from yours truly directed towards the not-so-princely-at-the-moment Greg.

Also relating to toilets, I think I will officially quit life if I'm ever sitting on one of those wall-mounted toilets and it falls off. That would be pretty traumatizing. And I might have a mild phobia because I think of this every time I sit on one of those toilets. Which is everyday at work. I'm going to create a name for this phobia and add it to the archives of symptom checker on WebMD. Along with the reaction plan I've devised should this ever happen to me.

I can't stop staring at that dog picture. Now I'm googling "rent a puppy for a weekend". This is going downhill fast.

But more thought-dumping. I've been procrastinating some decisions. Like if we should buy another car right now or if we should invest money or if we should buy a nice plot of land for a future house or if we should just quit everything and travel the world for a year.

That last one is the most enticing but the lame realistic part of my brain will never allow it to take the electoral college. Popular vote, yes. But we know what wins elections.

Finally, I'm going to try really hard to enjoy this new week, but the fact that I have to wake up tomorrow and put pants on is a bit of a buzz kill. I'd much rather be sporting spandex, lost on a run and soaking up the sun. With Moose.

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 467 - Bad News and Batman

 ^^ some spring-ish photos to brighten the mood of this post until we get to batman

My internship was so easy to get. My boss at my college job begged asked me to go to an information session for this company so there would be enough people there. I found out they were serving pizza and agreed. One quick interview and the next thing I knew I was on a flight for more interviews and a campus visit in San Antonio.

(the company was great, but it was 81 degrees when we landed, compared to -5 degrees in Idaho, and that might have sold me a lot bit).

A couple weeks after my campus visit I had an offer for an internship with a Fortune 200 company.

And I accepted.

At the end of my internship I had a full-time job offer and never looked back.

(it really was a tad more complicated than that but time has drizzled a generous sugar coating over all those memories).

Fast forward six years and it's an entirely different struggle experience this go-round with the Gregman. Almost like he's paying the price for my internship/post-college employment ease and I'm along for the ride. Except in the passenger seat where I have no control other than an imaginary brake and the freedom to voice unsolicited driving advice.

In the past two months while I've been crossing my fingers, building up a lot of hope, and mourning one cancelled camping trip, he's been filling out dozens of applications, interviewing 7 different times, attending day-long campus visits with several companies, and calling and returning calls.

Not to mention spending a lot of time in that suit of his...I guess I'm not complaining about that.

But what came of all this? Nothing but rejection. And some extensive interview practice, if we must find a silver-lining.

He made it to the final rounds on all of his interviews and we received word from the last couple companies over the weekend that they were "pursuing other options".

"Uh, yeah...so are we...apparently..."

Except we have no other options right now.

Feels awesome, is what.

Ok, felt awesome. Greg spent a few days being annoyingly in control of his emotions and I spent a few days being annoyingly NOT in control of mine. So now we're balanced out to being ok with it.

Just a "what the deuce??" blip on the life radar now.

I'll take a few days with really bad news, but if I'm going to let something ruin my life it's going to be something extraordinary. Like getting bit by a rabid dog in the middle of Africa right after I incredulously exclaimed how "that would never happen!"

(shout out to the alishafriend!)

I might let that ruin my life ;-)

Not this though, because...Batman.

via

"And why do we fall, Bruce?"

"So we can learn to pick ourselves up."

Bam.

So here's us adding to the pile of struggles and disappointments and sacrifices over the last few years that are going to make the Gregman's graduation one sweet relief.

Cause him graduating is going to solve ALL of our problems and we'll prance off into the sunset with unicorns and buckets of candy!

But back to reality.

The summation of that epic stretch of a comparison is thus: Batman got the girl in the end. A different girl, but she was waaaaaay cooler than the first girl. Also, I guess you could add that he saved Gotham and was finally remembered as a hero, too.

And Alfred. I love Alfred.

So here's to hoping this fall's round of "Hall for Hire" is like the end of Christopher Nolan's Batman?

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 456 - Snippets of a Weekend

 ^^ too cool not to post

The sun sets on another weekend.

Ours wasn't overly exciting but I'm missing it still the same.

First, I finally discovered the "goat version" of pop songs. That had an impact on my life.

Second, and marginally more important, a toddler inspired me.

I help in the nursery at church and there is this girl that, if I picked favorites, would be my favorite. It's hard to pick favorites, because they're all cute and most are pretty funny. But her? She is so enthusiastic and positive.

Nothing can be done without exclamations and fist pumps and bounding around.

Song time?

SONG TIME!

Popcorn song?

POPCORN SONG!

She laughs and sings and has so much energy for whatever she's doing. Her zest for life is contagious! Now I'm wondering if I could possibly apply this to my upcoming week...

Work?

WOOOOOooooooooooork...nope, I need more time.

And now for some weekend snippets.

 ^^ this is what greg looks like when he's waiting for me to get ready

 ^^ this is what we look like at a red light 

 ^^ this is where we wander and dream and gawk at price tags

 ^^ home depooooooooot...

 ^^ ...for this project. i didn't like my pantry shelves so now i'm building new ones.

^^ wal-maaaaaaart. to restock on popcorn! and impulse buy chips.

 ^^ these were the centerpieces that graced the cubscout blue and gold banquet tables. they never quite got finished but they worked...

^^ my greggly man has a patio project in progress...

^^ abandoned pool by our condo

^^ debating if we could take some bricks for the patio project or if that would be stealing...

And that's that. I'm currently proof-reading the mister's resume and we're both crossing our fingers for another good interview tomorrow.

(i'm so relieved he's getting internship interviews this semester...progress!)

Have a great day :-)