Reflections on The Big Career Change - Part 2

One of the good things about marriage is the opportunity to go through life's ups and downs in partnership with someone else.  It beats going through them alone.  But.  What if you have been seriously thinking about up and changing your entire career, and that change will have lasting impacts on someone else?  Someone who is your partner and strives to create a life with you, and your decision will affect the quality of that life, of their life?

Enter the spouse.

Escuse me, sir, is that a rabbit on your lap?

Without exaggeration, my career change has caused nothing but sacrifice for G.  He doesn't get the new sense of fulfillment that I do.  He doesn't experience the puzzle piece gently fitting into place.  He doesn't get the exhilaration of acing a class, or, just as significantly, helping my students ace their classes.  Instead, he gets the budget restrictions and the budget talks.  He gets the 12-page papers to proof read and the hysterical wife who got a B+ on a paper.  He gets the harried roommate, donned in pj's, hair unbrushed, with her face crammed in a book day and night.  Life has not been all that fun and exciting for G lately.  And yet he has been the support that has allowed me to step out, over the edge, and start a new life.

He has been the one who, starting long ago, suggested I leave the old job and do something new.  When I started brainstorming, he always listened to me and then grilled me, Devil's Advocate style (that was so fun, let me tell you).  How many hikes and walks did we take in the mountains, bantering back and forth (out of breath) about possible things for me to do?  I don't even know.

But then!  I figured it out!  And we went around and around about how much our lives would change, and he was like, I think you have to do this.

Excuse me, sir, but you're sitting in front of my airplane propeller.

And then I started applying for some of my current positions and getting job offers and had to make the hard choice to submit a letter of resignation.  To make this thing real.  And he was like, Yeah, I think you have to do this.

It's not all cute bunnies and rainbows over here at dawrighthouse, but I have to say that knowing that G has my back has made all the difference the last few months.  The transition has not been an easy one, but it hasn't been a hard one either.  There have been some shifts in roommate responsibilities and there have been some teasing words here and there about my almost complete and total lack of a contribution to the household income.  Then there have been the I'm-really-proud-of-you talks, and the You're-really-knocking-this-out-of-the-park comments that have affirmed me deeply.

Simply put, with a dose of cheesiness because we recently celebrated our 13th anniversary (dear God, I can NOT be this old), none of this would have happened if G were a different kind of man.  He's on my home team.  As Papa would say, I wouldn't trade him for a wooden nickel.

(But I would trade all of his nerd crap in a New York minute.)

TGIF, people!

Ummmmm.....

Reflections on The Big Career Change - Part 1

Now that I am five months into this big career and life change, I thought I would blog about some of my thoughts.  Being this open with you guys is a bit weird for me, because I hope this isn't boring, yet this is the type of thing I really enjoy reading in other's blogs, so here we go (with some old pics thrown in for good measure).

What is this "budget" thing of which you speak?

Money is one of those weird topics to bring up publicly (hello, world wide web!) but it must be mentioned as the biggest lifestyle change we have encountered.  The job I left was very well-paying, even by East Coast standards, certainly by Mid-West standards.  In fact, the paycheck was my main motivation for staying in that job as long as I did.  My firm decision to leave that job proved to me (in a way that actions speak louder than words, or thoughts) that money is not the most important thing to me.

That said, we spent months and months preparing for me to lose probably the biggest paycheck I will ever have.  We paid off one of the cars.  We saved for grad school.  We got lots of work done around the house (like renovating the library window and ceiling beam, putting in a new water heater and air humidifier, hiring lawn services, amping up the maintenance on both vehicles, all that boring adult stuff).  We completely planned and saved for Croatia and hopefully for a good start on next year's vacation.  This planning was crucial not only financially, but mentally.  All the planning gradually got our minds used to the thought of what life would be like minus that paycheck, and it helped ease us into it.

And then we pulled the plug.  While I don't make as much these days, I also don't flagrantly spend as much.  And mostly, I don't miss it.  I used to eat out for a lot of lunches and dinners.  I used to buy clothes without giving it much thought, and many times those clothes just hung in the closet, unseen, unworn.  (Let's not even talk about trips to Starbucks.)  These days, I am much more aware of how much money I have and where it goes and what I really need and don't need.  I absolutely don't mind eating most meals at home (or, let's be honest, eating packed meals in the car between tutoring sessions) if that means we can get away and explore a few weekends each semester.  I don't need new clothes.  I need to lose weight so I will fit into the majority of clothes I have.

Would I like more money?  Sure.  But I have learned what "enough" means, and that is a valuable lesson.

Education is where I belong.

While I believe that God has a will for each of us, and that His will involves our daily jobs, I have never been sure exactly what to expect in my own life.  I started my career in education and after a few years, I was determined to see what else was out there.  Instead of working with students to prepare them for the future, I wanted to see what my future was.  So I branched wayyyy out and while I had some important experiences and made some great money, I can say that all of my jobs apart from education were hollow and deeply unsatisfying.

For me, at least, I have learned that there really is something to be said for "fitting" into my environment.  Education, in its many forms (tutoring, teaching, helping, listening, coaching, watching) is something I am good at.  Passionate about.  Excited for.  And lots more fragment sentences that end with prepositions.  (AND YOU'RE AN ENGLISH MAJOR??  SHAME ON YOU!  Yes, yes, I know.  It's my blog.  I can use all the bad grammar I want.)

I have learned, through trial and error, and through sacrifices of late, that education really is where I belong.  I am a piece that fits into the puzzle!  And that has been so very rewarding!

Stay tuned for Part 2, peeps!  And in the meantime:

Enjoying Summer From Inside

Remember yesterday when I said that morning yard work has become routine for me?  I don't think I understand the concept of "routine," because this morning I am like, no, we are staying inside today.

Say what you will about intense workouts but there is nothing in the world like yard work to make you realize how out of shape you are.  There are muscles hurting in places I didn't even know I had.  The thought of culling through dirt and pulling weeds and carting mulch is soul-crushing to me today.

So, Lucy and I?  We're taking a break.

This is one of the few days this summer and in the next like 3 years that I don't have any appointments or commitments, so I'm planning a nice blend of reading and productivity.  The bookshelves must be cleaned off in preparation for fall, laundry must be done, the house must be thoroughly cleaned for our special guests next week, and many tutoring lessons must be prepared.  Plus, the books on my summer reading list?  They aren't going to read themselves, people!  I need to get cracking because, come August, I will be facing months and months of isolation from fun reading.

A Chocolate Plant?  Yes, please!

I have two new students to tutor over the summer!  I'm up to six!  I now have quite the range of ages and subjects. #thankful.

Ok, my peeps.  Off to read the latest book, drink coffee, and stare at the wall while contemplating chores.  Next book review coming soon!

[Spray] Painting the Roses Red (+ Book Review)

Remember this?

This is me, bright and early, out in the yard, every morning.  Singing the song and everything.  Not joking.

Yes, I realize this story is a critique of Victorian etiquette but hey - paint fixes like, everything. (source)

We have some visitors next week and I'm bound and determined to have a decent yard by the time they're here.  So that we can diligently preserve the (false) image of fully-functioning home owners.

I have now tackled all the little nooks and crannies of our lawn, with the exception of a doozie on the side that G is going to have to help me with next weekend.  Spray paint and mulch to the rescue!  It's not much, but it's better than it was, and the neighbors are going all out with the positive reinforcement, complimenting us whenever they stroll by.

Using driftwood (left by previous owner) as decor.

New use for the fat rabbit we kept on the back deck in Virginia.  He keeps an eye on the neighbors.

It's eccentric, but it works.

Right outside the front door (opposite the flower pots).

I am happy to say that I have gotten into a routine of yard work and then working out every morning.  If I could quit double fisting the popsicles, I might have a snowball's chance in hell of losing weight.

Lucy hydrates before laying around the house all day:

And now, the latest book review:

The Museum of Dr. Moses by Joyce Carol Oates

This compilation of short stories has been on the shelf for a while and I thought I'd knock it out.  Turns out the stories are all dark and Edgar Allen Poe-esque so instead of taking my time and enjoying Oates's fantastic writing, I have more been skipping along so that none of the bizarre details stay in my mind long enough to take root and keep me awake at night.  I'm super mature that way.

I enjoy short stories, even dark ones, and in many ways this reminds me of junior high and high school when I was introduced to stories and poems of this kind.  You don't want to go there, but you do.  You don't want to enjoy it, but you do.  There's part of you that is so morbidly drawn to suspenseful and evil things, even if it's only so you can snap the book shut, make a sign of the cross over yourself, and run to the kitchen for another popsicle.

Oates is a superb writer and if I had two brain cells that rubbed together I would want to read this book more closely and delve into some of the themes.  But it's my summer.  So back on the shelf it goes until I can incorporate it with other themes in some future grad school class.

In Memoriam

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

-John F. Kennedy

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnfkenn114918.html#WBzVdqMpzUrozhsT.99

The Hazards of Type A (+ Book Review)

I have come to the realization that I am a lazy person trapped inside a Type A mentality.  It's an awful place to be.

We are not even mid-way into my first weekend off - haven't even made it to my first week off! - and I was up half the night trying to work out my fall schedule.  It's going to take divine intervention to balance three jobs and two classes, all at random times.  This is what I want to do, but I have no idea how it's going to pan, and thanks to my Type A nature, instead of enjoying this luxurious time off, I'm double fisting the comforter and staring wide-eyed at the ceiling all night.

When I'm in the midst of school-and-job chaos, all I do is day dream about laying around and reading all day.  When I'm able to lay around and read all day, all I do is ponder the next round of school-and-job chaos.

**sigh**

But I have my coping mechanisms.

The Ultimate Margarita that is as big as my head.  I was swimming in this Friday night.

Round 2 with The Russkie.  This is how it's done.

I am also working out like a champ.  If I could turn this into a lifestyle, I could lose 30 pounds and look like my super model self.  Speaking of champs, The Russkie ran a half marathon!  I was like, do you realize that's 13 miles?  She was like, Yes, I do.

And now, for the latest book:

Creatures of the Kingdom by James A. Michener

Have you ever read any books by Michener?  He is an interesting author; he didn't even start writing until he was in his forties, and he has cranked out about a million books, all of which are about 500,000 pages long.  It's unbelievable.  Creatures of the Kingdom, though, is totes manageable.

It's a culmination of many short stories about the geological formation of various areas (like the Hawaiian Islands and parts of Colorado) as well as animals that lived and evolved in these, and other, areas over time.  There are stories about dinosaurs, horses, snakes, armadillos (my favorite!  It's hysterical!), dogs, crabs, trout, bison, mammoths, mastodons, and even squirrels.  If you are not an animal person, you will not enjoy this book.  If you are an animal person, (1) you must read it immediately, and (2) you must be prepared for bad things to sometimes happen.  It's akin to watching nature programs on the Discovery Channel: just when you grow close to that furry little seal, the shark appears from below and devours it.  C'est la vie.

Michener's writing is beautiful and incredibly comprehensive.  I feel like I've just experienced a billion years of evolution and I need a break.  The lazy is overpowering the Type A.

Happy Sunday, peeps!  I hope you're off tomorrow in honor of Memorial Day.

TGIF, people!

Libido Night (or: Aw, Hail)

On my way home tonight, I glimpsed an electronic sign in front of a local hotel that I thought read, "Libido Night!"  In hindsight, considering the good reputation of this family spot, I'm thinking it said, "Latino Night!" but I can't be sure.

Get your mind out of the gutter.  You perv.

For the third day in a row, it hailed to beat the band and the local tornado sirens went off.  This scene is becoming the norm in our front yard.

When the storm fronts move through, it sounds like a war zone.  My flowers have spent the last two days in the garage.  I tell you, nothing out here - including the weather - is done halfway.  It's all the way or nothing.

And speaking of all the way, I'm trying trying trying to resume some sort of workout routine so my heart doesn't forget how to beat.  45 mins on the bike with my latest book.  Done and done.

Oh, and there's this:

Halle and Lujah

I met with my prof this afternoon and he had all kinds of good things to say about my final paper.  Just when I was nodding my increasingly-growing head, he then offered about 5,000 critiques as well.  I was like, "Yeah, OK, well on that note I'll be going!  Have a nice summer!"  I'm holding onto the good and just riding this "A" high for a while.  I live in CO; I'm allowed to talk about being high.

Tomorrow is the last day of the K-8 school until training in August.  This means I intend to sleep a minimum of 12 hours a day next week.  All I have is a reduced tutoring schedule!  Of course, the following week all hell breaks loose with my summer class and the full schedule of tutoring but hey, whatevs!  Then the countdown begins to the TA position, people!

We can't make Lucy Loo, Almost Two rhymes anymore.  She's going on 3.  Mama's little anti-social, feral, snotty bun bun is growing up.

Toning It Down (+ Book Review)

To spare G a heart attack, I toned down the smurfyness in the front yard.  Here's the latest rendition, which I think will do it.

Still blue.  But not as blue.

And speaking of the yard, we had a major hail storm this afternoon.  I was tutoring in another area and when I got home, I noticed that (1) the yard had been mowed, yay, and I'm sure our neighbors are so proud of us, and (2) what is all that white stuff?  They don't really have hail where I grew up (or, I should say, it's very rare), so it takes me a while to put two and two together.  I'm glad I wasn't driving in this!

My deductive powers at work:  Well, the white stuff isn't snow.  And it isn't rat poison.  It looks like moth balls, but it can't be that.  I mean, can it??

My poor flowers took a beating.  I'm going to be pissed if they die and it's not even my fault.  Usually, it totally is.

And speaking of dying (how's that for a segue!) I finished another book.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Remember when I was on a Truman Capote kick around Christmas?  I had heard about this book and was curious, but then...well, grad school.

In Cold Blood is the true story of a brutal murder that took place on an isolated Kansas farm in 1959.  I think the book is so highly-regarded because it was one of the first attempts to re-create a true crime drama.  We don't even notice this type of thing anymore, but in the early '60s it was an original concept, and Capote is such a good writer that it became popular.  Also, the story is intriguing:  An upstanding family of four is brutally murdered on a cold November night.  There is no motive, there are no suspects, and there is barely any evidence.  Before the age of computer literacy, the internet, heck, even fax machines, the police managed to track down the (very random) killers within only a few months.

The story reads chronologically and includes all kinds of perspectives and points of view.  It wasn't a quick read, but it was a good one, considering the content.  And hey, it was on my list.  I would recommend this one when you're in the mood for something serious, thought-provoking, and perhaps for a glance into another era.

If anyone needs me, I'll be watching cartoons for the next week.

Boyz Weekend

So, C-peep is here for a long weekend and the guys have been hitting the trails while I do fun things like yard work and house cleaning.  As I type this, they are cramming down breakfast (before the next hike) and arguing over the best movie endings ever, like ever.  I shouted out, "Shawshank Redemption!" but couldn't be heard over arguments about Master and Commander, and Iron Man Three.  So I gave up and went back to my cup of coffee.  The only thing that truly understands me.

Yeah, it's sort of pretty here.

We get a bit of snow from time to time.

G got home last night, took one look at my spray paint job, and headed right back to Home Depot to get another color.  So guess what I'll be doing today?  In between chores for tonight's Supper Club?

The guys saw a lot of elk in Rocky Mountain National Park.

This little guy could have cared less - he didn't want to leave his preferred patch of grass.

I'm really glad C-peep was able to come out and everything, but let's face it, I'm just counting down the days until our GIRLZ WEEKEND later this summer!

A Milestone (and B&A)

Today marks a very important milestone in dawrighthouse.  A year ago, we picked up this little albatross and fitted her firmly around our necks.

At the Dumb Friend's League before we took her home.

A couple of months later, her little stingray buddy joined the family.

We made the genius discovery that the promise of treats will get her butt back into her cage for the night.

While we're a long way from what might be called "close," we're doing pretty well for our little family of 3 introverts.

In other news...

To the relief of our neighbors, we finally got outside and did some yard work.  And by "we," I mean a hired mowing service.  And me wielding some potting soil and spray paint.

In many ways, we have the perfect house (for us) here in Denver.  It is just the right size, solidly built, in a safe and settled community.  But it has no color.  I mean, no color.  It was built in the '70s and looks the part.  As much as we would love to add new trim and repaint the siding, that's not exactly in the B-decided-to-leave-her-well-paying-job-and-stop-making-money budget.

So, I decided a little spray paint might do the trick and boy, was I right!  It looks a little smurf-y, but the Denver sun will dull it in no time, and at least it took some of the blah-ness away.  My goal for the next few weeks is to tackle the other side of the house, and more of the front yard area, not pictured here.

BEFORE

Notice the nothingness.  But at least the yard is mowed.

 AFTER

Color!

Instead of putting plants (which, let's be honest, are bound to die soon with me as their keeper) in the ground, I opted for the pots.  That way, I can move them around and change the plants, seasonally, with a lot less effort.  And the pots were another way to add a bit of color to the area.

To keep up the renovations, I also scampered to World Market and bought new serving bowls.  I've been needing to do this for a while and was finally pushed into action by the thought of Supper Club at my house tomorrow night, as well as several summer guests.

No more square, chipped monstrocities!

I went all cray cray and decided to mix-and-match.

Other than that, my loves, I have been reading (forfunohmygosh!), prepping lesson plans for next week, and contemplating cleaning the house for tomorrow.  G has a very important guest visiting (more on that soon), so they have been hitting the trails and going to see all the dorky movies that are out, like Captain America and Godzilla. 

G asked if I wanted to go with them, and once I stopped laughing and wiped my eyes, I reminded him that we have been married almost 13 years and, by golly, he should totes know better than to ask stupid questions like that.

Lunch calls.  And perhaps a re-run of Orphan Black.  It's nonstop excitement over here.

TGIF, people!

Trying to Resume My Old Life

Well, well, well.  Look who managed to read a book just for fun!

The irony is that - although I love Barbara Kingsolver - I picked up this book because one of the peeps in my class says it is tres Willa Cather-esque.  And she's right!  It's all about the American plains and immigration and origin.  And it's hilariously written!

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

It's the story of a Kentucky girl determined to leave the state as soon as she possibly can.  All she wants is to escape the common fate of winding up pregnant and working at the local factory.  She hits the road for Arizona...and ends up with an orphan Indian baby.  I believe this is one of Kingsolver's first books (it was published in the '80s) and it gets the teensiest bit preachy when talking about immigration in America.  However, it is beautifully and simply written, and one of her funniest.  She must have gotten more serious as she developed her writing.  :)

Definitely worth the read!

Now I'm juggling yard work, Croatia plans, and prepping the house for a very special guest this weekend AND hosting Supper Club.  I left the liquor store with 3 bottles of wine and 2 six-packs of beer this afternoon.

Hostess with the Mostess - right here, people!

It Begins...

Why, yes, I did turn in my final paper today.

Why, yes, I do believe it's time to start planning.

Free At Last

Well, well, well.  Guess who finished her paper yesterday morning and then did several victory laps around the living room while G and Lucy Loo tried to watch Smallville?

Yes, I'm in my pj's.  No, I didn't get out of them at all yesterday.

I cannot even convey in words how good it feels to have this albatross off my neck, people.  I turn it in tomorrow and that's it!  I was actually a bit lost yesterday because there was no book or article to start next.  I stared out the window and watched it snow for a while.

Then I wondered around the house.  Then I worked on some tutoring stuff for the week.  Then puttered around the kitchen.  Then just broke down and started a book for fun!  I don't even have to read it with a pen!  Then I took a nap, of course.

Lucy joined me.  In spirit, of course.  Not literally.  If she would cuddle with me that would be it.  I would never leave the house and would have to quit all my jobs and drop out of school, it would just be too precious.

We're in the final stretch!  Only a couple of weeks of the K-8 job left, then a break, then the grueling summer class begins.  Whatever will I do with my time?  Let me sit here and drink coffee and ponder it...

Happy Monday, peeps!  (No such thing.)