Domesticity

Posted by: Karen

I had my last show this weekend, and I thought I would be sad, but I wasn't. I was so thankful that my mom came to see it. She has always come to all my shows, so I was really glad she could be at my last show ever. I'm glad Colt was there and that we could both dance one last time with the Ballroom Dance Company. I'm still a little sad to not be dancing, but I'm doing much better since I have been able to dance just a little bit more.

Now that I quit Lin's and dancing, I have had time to do fun things with Colt and our friends. Last night I made dinner for Colt and Alli and I decided to be brave and try a new recipe. I made roasted chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, and rosemary, with onions, bell peppers, and red potatoes. I was really nervous, but it actually turned out well, and Colt and Alli didn't get food poisoning or anything, so that is definitely good news. Then we went to Maggi Moos for dessert and to celebrate me being done with my advanced calc test (aka the test from hell).

I have loved getting to be a little more domestic in my spare time. This morning I wanted to wear my long pink button up shirt with my big black belt over it, but it was wrinkled, and honestly, normally I would have just given up on the outfit and dealt with it later. Instead, I pulled out my new aqua rowenta iron and ironed my shirt. I remembered that I actually really enjoy ironing. It feels good to have crisp, smooth clothes.

My family can no longer tease me about not cooking or doing other things of that nature. All I needed was a little time on my hands.

Oink Oink

Posted by: Karen

Close friends of our family have a tradition of telling the good and not-so-good of their lives at dinner, so I decided to blog about my good and not-so-good things as of late.

Not So Good:
-For the last 5 days I have been horribly sick. I have had a sore throat (swallowing has been horribly painful), fever, head ache, stuffy nose, and basically I have done nothing but lay around our apartment being sick. I did drag myself out of bed last week to go to class, but that is pretty much the only time I left the house. Unfortunately, all of these things are symptoms of the swine flu, but having no insurance, a doctor has not confirmed that diagnosis.

Good:
-I have a husband that takes such good care of me, especially when I'm sick.
-Since I have been stuck in the apartment so much lately, I have had time to start making Colt's Christmas stocking. My Mom bought me the stuff to make our Christmas stockings this summer, and being sick gave me an excuse to watch Gilmore Girls and sew stockings. It is so fun! I feel so domestic.
-I have something to get me through this week...my Mom is coming to visit this weekend! I have my last ever ballroom dance show this weekend, and since my Dad will be traveling for work, my Mom is driving out to visit and see my show. I am so excited!

Ch Ch Changes!

Posted by: Karen

The last few weeks have consisted of lots of new things in my life. Actually I guess it is more of a lack of old things. The first is that I decided not to do ballroom anymore. This was honestly one of the hardest decisions of my life. I never saw the day I would give up dance, but I decided that my school work and my husband are more important. I am still really sad. I know I will eventually get used to a life without dance and it will be better in the long run, but I still miss it. I get to do one last show at the end of September and my director put me in some solo spots and featured dances since it is my last show. It is good that I get one last chance to do one of my favorite things ever.

The other change is so exciting!! Drum roll please......I quit Lin's! After multiple shifts of calling Colt crying because I got yelled at by a customer, or my manager wrote me up for being late for break because I was helping a customer, or I got in trouble for not facing the soda, or some crazy thing that happened at work, we decided it was time for me to quit. Next week will be my last week, and even though I love the people I work with, I am so excited to be rid of the stress. I can't wait to actually see Colt and have time to do my homework. I am not at all sad to leave the rude customers of Lin's and the horrible shifts which always include nights, weekends, and holidays.

It has been a busy, long, hard, emotional week and I'm so excited to spend the weekend at the cabin (and not so excited to work). Thank goodness for long weekends!