Week #1: "Here I Go Again On My Own"

So Chris left me last Thursday evening and has been in Spain for a week (tomorrow).  I decided that I would chronicle my Summer life in my blog.  I figured it should be very interesting (seeing as how Chris does everything for me at home).  Each week will have a different song title to describe my week (and rating things I accomplish, or lack there of).  Here's what happened in Week #1:

I was super worried that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep alone in the apartment because I envision people breaking in to rape and kill me (and have been doing so since college).  The last time he was gone I barely slept and kept my keys next to the bed at all times (in case I had to jump out my 3rd story window and hobble to my car, of course).  However, color me surprised when I fell asleep no problem.  In fact, every night I've been home alone, I find that as long as I stay up until I'm really tired, I sleep just fine.  YAY!  I give myself ***** (5 stars) on this one!

After the first night alone, I went to Mom's to stay w/ her and have a girls' weekend.  We had a lot of fun and I was really sad to come back home Sunday morning.  Sunday and Monday (Memorial Day) were kinda hard for me.  I broke down a little bit and actually cried (which was something I vowed not to do).  I filled my time with movies, True Blood reruns, and the pool, but it's hard being so isolated with no one around to spend time with.  I give myself * (1 star) on dealing with a weekend alone. 

I was able to brush myself off and pick myself up in time to return to work on Tuesday.  In fact, I was feeling so pumped that I not only went grocery store, but I cooked my own dinner.  Now, that may seem really mundane for most of you, but let me tell you this is a big deal in my world.  It seems that, usually, any time I touch a knife to cut something up, I always knick myself, always!  However, I cooked myself a steak, peppers, and onion quesadilla (but fajita style) and most of it came out very well.  I had too much of all 3 components and the peppers weren't thin enough, but overall, it was edible and yummy.   I give myself **** (4 stars) on this. 

Last night (Wednesday), my Dad came to visit to ease my loneliness.  He is staying until Saturday morning.  It is nice to see him because I rarely get any time, let alone QT, with him. 

Another one of my goals has been to keep the house (especially the kitchen) a lot cleaner.  In one week, I have kept the kitchen and the sink clean and have been on top of the dishes.  Funny side note:  1 person = 1 load of dishes per week.  2 people = 4-6 loads of dishes per week.  Crazy huh?  I haven't done so great with the laundry though.  I have not done any of it, or cleaned my bathtub, or vacuumed.  I give myself *** (3 stars) on cleaning this week.

Now, as of tomorrow, I will be on Week #2.  My hopes are as follows 1) I will not cry, 2) I will not be super lonely and sad this weekend, 3) I will cook 2 new meals this week, and 4) I will continue to keep up with the dishes and tackle more domestic duties.

T Minus 3 days

So, I just found Chris' blog ( http://planestrainsandspaniards.blogspot.com/ ) and it made me think about him leaving.  I am so proud of myself for how I've done so far.  The last time Chris left me, he went to River Falls, WI for 4 days (Summer 2008).  I cried a lot before he left and carried on and such.  I realize this did me no good, but waste the time I had with him before he left.  I know 4 days sounds silly to you folks, but previous to this, the longest we had been apart is about 13 hours.  So, now he's leaving for 8 weeks to go study in Barcelona and I have managed to only cry sporadically for like 2 minutes at a time.  His newest blog referenced him measuring time by "lasts" not days.  I realize I've done this too.  Examples:  This past weekend was our last weekend together.  Tonight we are going on our last date night.  Tomorrow we are going to Suzanne and JT's for the last time before he leaves.  I have found that I am able to have fun and really savor the time I have with him.  He will leave me on Thursday and leave the US on Friday.  I have 5 weeks to go before Lil and I got to Barcelona (and Pamplona).  Then, it's the home stretch, only 12 days until he returns. 

In order to stay happy I keep thinking about the positives:  1) I can watch Big Brother and SYTYCD and he won't yell at me.  2) I can watch any soap opera of my choosing.  3) No Mythbusters, Family Guy, Simpsons, etc. (YAY!)  4) Groceries will be half as much (as will gas and 5k admissions).  5) I get to take up the whole bed instead of cramping in between Chris, Booger, and Riley.  6) I will have skype.  7) I will learn to cook and take care of myself (Chris waits on me hand and foot and is amazing for that).

We'll see how depressed I get, but for now, I'm positive.  The only truly scary thing is that I am afraid to go to sleep all alone at night.

I love you Baby and can't wait to have a rendezvous in Europe (just like some old movie, I'm sure).

Simply Violet...is Simply Awesome!

I am in love you guys..and it's not with Chris!  It's with this new Vera Bradley pattern that just came out (and I happened to accidentally come across in Hallmark).  It's called Simply Violet and I simply love it.  I haven't seen a Vera Bradley pattern that I have liked since like 2002.  Oh and the fact that it's purple just makes me even happier! This is a throwback to the classic Vera style and I am all about it.  I envision myself with the luggage bags and big zipper bag and a future diaper bag (very future).  Now, if only I could win a little lottery to get the whole collection!

Soapbox Rant # 1

Okay, so I have strong opinions and from time to time, I need to rant.  Welcome to my very first full-on Soapbox Rant.

Topic:  Facebook and Arizona Immigration

My Stance on The Issue:  In MY very educated opinion on the matter, the Arizona Immigration law is unconstitutional.  It is sending us back to the Jim Crow days by promoting racism.  Sarah Palin says that it's not going to lead to racial profiling.  How will it not?  Who are the cops going to be targeting?  Freakin people who look Mexican.  I tell you what, if I was in AZ for a vacation and some cop came up to me telling me to prove my citizenship, I'd be freakin' pissed.  Not since Nazi Germany were a whole race of people required to carry around their papers due to fear.  I understand that the Nazi Germany and AZ are two different things.  I, more than anyone, understand this since my own family died in concentration camps...but at its hateful core, they are very similar.  Now, I am for Immigration reform.  I am tired of all of the money spent on Immigration crap and the babies born b/c of it.  I do insurance stuff all day and I know all about Medicaid.  However, this is NOT the way to handle it. 

The Real Reason for my Soapbox:  We all have our opinions.  Hell, we all post our opinions on Facebook and Twitter all day everyday.  But here's the thing, if you don't agree with someone's political opinion do you always put them on blast and be disrespectful to them?  I hope not.  I sure don't.  If someone puts up any political opinion that I disagree with, I choose to roll my eyes and simply scroll down.  I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, even those I view as moronic and ridiculous.  If I commented on every Republican's criticism of my good friend "Barry" (Barack Obama) then I would not only have 75% less friends, but I'd have my Mom's entire family wiped off the grid.  So, I shut my mouth....However, not everyone does.  People who are not even my IRL friends are bashing me and even some family members.  They are being hurtful and disrespectful and insinuating I am brainwashed.  (BTW, I am not brainwashed and have been a card-carrying member of the Democratic party for 20 years, at least.  My opinions just so happen to coincide with the Democratic party so please stop telling me "Oh you'll grow out of it".  )

So please, if you see a political status of mine (and really anyone else you consider a friend or care about), think before you type.  If you can't stick to the issues and keep it classy and have to be mean and so "unchristianlike" then maybe you should do as the Golden Rule says, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".  From now on, if you choose to ignore this and be rude and disrespectful to me, I will not only delete you from my Friends list, but also my life.  Friends and family included!

Me voy a España!!!

Yeah, so I had to go to a Google translator for that one..and to save you the same amount of time...I'M GOING TO SPAIN!!!  As most of you know, Chris will be in Barcelona all Summer for study abroad (5/27 - 7/24 to be exact).  So, Lil and I are going to visit him from 7/2 to 7/11.  During this time we are going to go to Pamplona for the Running Of The Bulls (San Fermin)!!  Lil and I have been planning our trip for months now, but were waiting to buy our tickets.  Well, today I bought them (YAY) !!!  We are going to be flying Air Canada and the only sucky thing is we have to stop in Toronto and Montreal on the way there and we have to stop in Munich and Toronto on the way back.  The great thing was that I scheduled my flight so early that I was able to pick our seats for 5 of the 6 flights and for all of them we get window seats.  The even better part of this is that for the big, long, overseas flight we will have our own little 2 person row (1 aisle, 1 window).  How awesome is that?!?!  Can't wait! 

Bye Bye Loretta!! Hello William Wallace!!!

In January 2007 I needed a car and fast because Chris had to take over my car.  So, I bought my 2003 VW Jetta (which I named Loretta).  Although she's been good to me, she is very small.  Also, she is about to need a lot of maintenance (sensors, suspension, timing belt, tires, etc.).  Chris and I have been talking for months now about me getting a new car now so that we can pay it off by the time he gets a new car (so we don't have two car payments).  We have scoured the internet and dealerships looking for something we both really like and would want for the next decade.  I had to bat my eyelashes, but he finally agreed to let me have my dream SUV..a 2006 Highlander...but with one catch.  It must have 4WD or AWD.  Fiiiiiinnnnaaaallllly, yesterday we found it!  We were able to unload Loretta and get William Wallace (get it?  William Wallace like from Braveheart b/c he was a Highlander..please say you get it b/c it's really funny) and William came w/ a 3 year or 60,000 mile warrantee (including hoses, parts, etc).  I am beyond happy because not only did I get the car I have dreamed of since college, but we got a really great deal! :) 

Oh, Prease, Gimme!!!

So, attending Lindsey's bridal shower yesterday made me start to think about what kinds of crap I want for my big day.  So, I started googling.  I knew I wanted some color while Chris wants like plain, boring white (veto!).  Then something magical happened...I found this!!!  Spode "Baking Days" serveware and cookware collections.  It comes in black, red, Carolina blue, and lime green.  How cute!  For Christmas you could do the green and red or black and red.  For spring, blue and green.  I can go on and on.  Plus, it's polka, which btw, is soo me.  The best thing is that I can steal Courtney's idea and use this as everyday china and special occasion china.  Now, please everyone, convince Chris that this is the china and bakingware we need to start a new McKeown household next year! :) :)