There are some experiences that put you firmly in a “before it happened” and “after it happened” territory. Moments that define how you look at the world. And they always seem to be moments that start normally enough.
Things to swear by
“You don’t understand what it’s like! I miss them!!!”, I would wail at Mister while he agreed. No, he didn’t know what it was like. One of the worst things about The Prairie City I’m from is that there are no animals allowed in apartments, and while you can sneak a hamster (his name was Jack) or a cat past your landlord, you can’t very well sneak in a dog. So, like a chorus inevitably rounding the corner after a verse, whenever I would get upset in the first three years of our relationship it would eventually bubble up: I missed living with dogs, and it was kind of breaking my heart.
July is a big month, especially these last weeks, because it marks the one year anniversary that we we took possession of our house. I knew becoming a home owner would be wild, and it has had it’s fair share of surprises. Like the time our neighbours threatened to sue us and set a web cam up in their front yard (why yes, they’re still crazy. We had a shouting match just this past weekend!), or when we needed to replace our oven, refridgerater, washer and dryer in the same month – but generally it’s been a hugely positve change, and I’m outlandishly proud of our Little House.
I have to apologize, I’ve been light on stories for you lately and since I’m pretty sure that’s what blogging is about, I’m sorry. I’ve been in a challenging work environment for the past four months and my day to day my mantra has finally become “just get through it”. Unfortunately “getting through” has meant choking back on my emotions, which isn’t in my nature and has seemed to left me permanently short of breath, without the energy to write and a little afraid of what will happen if I look closer at my situation with some honesty.
This weekend was up and down dreamy, I can’t even express it. The heat makes me so happy that I could curl up in a sunbeam for a month and want for nothing. My old friend warmth is amazing for my little body and heart- and who knew it also took the edge off the capacity for crazy that two Schipperke puppies have?
Vegas was unbelievable – so exactly what I needed. I was at a place where I was dying for adventure and needed more than anything to get away. Breaking out on my own and diving into a sink or swim situation put a lot of things in perspective for me – on who I think I am and on who I am when push comes to shove.
Lately I feel like I’m about to do so many things. I’m about to figure out how work will mesh with my life, now that the getting to know yous are over. I’m about to go to say good bye to a dear friend, moving to the coast. I’m about to open the book on school again, about to start a hundred thousand projects around the house, about to really dig into my mid-20s…(never mind being about to open a bottle of wine for all the anticipation…)
And I’m pleased to add another thing to the list….
First of all, thank you so much. I have no idea how I’m so lucky to have such amazing internet friends. It was a lovely birthday weekend (thank you for your wishes!) I was a very happy girl, and a busy one at that – idle minds turn to fretting and I’ve had too much on my mind lately. I thought twice about sharing it, but you all are brilliant. Thank you. You make a very big place like the internet feel incredibly small, as always.
She stayed out way too late,
Laughed more than usual,
Ate far too much brie,
Drank a few too many martinis,
and came home to play with her balloons and her puppies.
And all in all?
Perfection.
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