A little over a week ago we roasted the last s’mores of the season.  We heard a rumor that bad weather was a-brewin’ so we ran for the hills (literally).

I have learned a valuable lesson this year- the more time you spend in nature, the longer the season seems.  In past years, . . . → Read More: For the love of fall]]>

A little over a week ago we roasted the last s’mores of the season.  We heard a rumor that bad weather was a-brewin’ so we ran for the hills (literally).

I have learned a valuable lesson this year- the more time you spend in nature, the longer the season seems.  In past years, I remember always saying “the summer just flew by!”, or something along those times.  Autumn usually seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.  But the reason the seasons passed by so quickly is because I spent them confined by the four walls of my cubicle or my house.  Of course every seasons seemed to blend together!

This past spring we resolved to enjoy summer to the fullest.  We traveled, we spent time on the swings at the park, we picnicked on blankets in the backyard.  But more than anything, we hung out in the mountains near our home.  We purchased an annual pass to the canyon- the best $45 we’ve ever spent- and went to town.  (Although not literally.  I suppose it would make more sense to say we got out of town, but that wouldn’t convey the intended meaning, you see.)  We hiked, we biked, we camped.  We (mainly the little one) threw rocks in streams and reservoirs.  We (mainly the little one) collected leaves and breathed fresh air and got filthy.  But most of all, we ate.  Roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, tin foil dinners, and fancy Dutch oven meals.  Funny how the mountain air can make everything taste divine, no?

It was one of the best summers of our lives.  So good, in fact, that we decided to continue it right into fall.

So this last week when we roasted marshmallows for the last time before an enormous, wet pile of snow was dumped on us, it was bittersweet.  Sweet to know we had made so many memories, but bitter to know the good times had to come to an end.

We’re not much of winter outdoors-y people, you know.  But maybe we’ll have to learn to be, because this whole being-cooped-up-in-the-house thing isn’t working out so well for me.

The canyon sure did put on a beautiful closing act for us, though.  The pictures don’t do it justice.  Good golly, I can’t wait for fall to come again.

Next post:  I will tell you why I haven’t posted all week.  In other words, things that are not awesome.

I used to know him as the guy in the house with his eyes glued to Sports Center. Or a Yankees game.  Or Jazz game.  Or pretty much any game at all.

These days though, I find him curled up in the corner of the couch, TV off.  . . . → Read More: Who are you and what have you done with my husband?]]> Lately, I don’t recognize my husband.

I used to know him as the guy in the house with his eyes glued to Sports Center. Or a Yankees game.  Or Jazz game.  Or pretty much any game at all.

These days though, I find him curled up in the corner of the couch, TV off.  Reading a book. Happily reading a book, I should say.  Everywhere he goes he carries around his novel so he can crack it open during a dull moment.  Then, later that night he wants to talk about the book.  The story line, the characters, the way the author writes, the way it makes him feel. (Can you believe it?  A man talking about FEELINGS?)

Internet, my husband has become a nerd.

And it is so hot.

I’ve been a book nerd my whole life- and proud of it!  I love to read.  Like really, LOVE to read.  I don’t have much time to do it these days, sadly.  I have to be very selective about when I choose to pick up a book, because if I do everything else goes right out the window.  Laundry?  Forget it.  Eating?  Nope.  Sleep?  It can wait.  If I read something I throw myself into it, so I really only do it over holidays and vacations now.

When I married my husband I knew he did not enjoy reading, and I was ok with that.  Just because I loved it didn’t mean he had to as well.  I had fully accepted that we would never be one of those old-fashioned couples on TV, both in our pj’s, sitting in bed reading together.  Sure, that sounded nice, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker.  There were plenty of other things we had in common.

But now!  He’s a new man.  Do you know what he said to me the other day?  “Sometimes I’d rather read than watch TV!”

*Swoon!*

He wants us to read the same book at the same time so we can talk about it as we go.  SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT BOOKS!  Be still, my beating heart! So far he’s read almost five novels since January.  That’s more than he’s read in probably the last ten years.  Seriously, I don’t recognize the man, but I love him.

Guys, you want to know the secret to a woman’s heart?  Take a genuine interest in something she loves.  Whether it be reading, cooking, scrapbooking, traveling, running, bird watching, underwater basket-weaving, or whatever, just take an interest.  You don’t have to do it yourself, or love it as much as she does, but TALK to her about it as though you really care.  Works like magic.

Ladies, same goes for you too.  This last baseball season I sat down with my husband and actually watched the Yankees play in the World Series.  And something crazy happened: I liked it. But more importantly, he loved it.

Common interests strengthen a marriage…who knew?

What common interests do you share with your significant other?

Anyone have any must-read books they would suggest?

I grew up in a family with all sisters, no brothers, so I don’t think I really got the full idea of how guys are.  Sure, my dad lived there, but he was my dad.  Needless to say, getting married was a pretty big eye opener for me.  And I’ve . . . → Read More: Like clockwork]]> Men are so weird.

I grew up in a family with all sisters, no brothers, so I don’t think I really got the full idea of how guys are.  Sure, my dad lived there, but he was my dad.  Needless to say, getting married was a pretty big eye opener for me.  And I’ve had it easy, my hubby is generally very well mannered and not the usual gross boy.

One thing I’m still discovering, after 3 years of marriage, is that men are nothing without their routine.  If one thing gets off in their personal schedule the whole day might as well go down the drain.

This morning the hubby and I were up a little early due to the fact we are still adjusting to daylight savings.  As a result, he could get ready for school at leisure and had plenty of time before he had to leave.  Normally he doesn’t eat breakfast because he tries to sleep as long as possible before he absolutely must get up and get ready.  But today, I assumed he would want breakfast since he had time, and who wouldn’t want to eat when given the opportunity?  I know that I always look forward to my next opportunity to eat.  You know, like a normal person.

Except when I asked him what he wanted for breakfast he said wanted nothing.  Nothing?  Huh?  He said he had to leave for class.  “But you don’t have to leave for at least another 10 minutes.  That’s plenty of time to down a couple of Eggo’s!” I insisted.  He said he didn’t want to rush.  “Well then, just grab a quick bowl of cereal.  You don’t want to be hungry, do you?” I pressed.  No thanks.  “Are you nuts?  Why on earth would you willingly go hungry for the next 3 hours?”  I couldn’t understand this crazy man’s logic.

Finally he came clean with a sigh, “I don’t want to throw off my schedule.  If I eat now, I’ll have to eat lunch early, and then I’ll be hungry in the afternoon.”

Me: *Blink…blink*  “So, eat a snack in the afternoon.  It makes no sense to go hungry if you don’t have to.”

Him: “No, I want to eat just 3 meals a day.  I have to stick to the schedule.”

Seriously, this logic is completely baffling to me.  I have no eating schedule.  I eat when I’m hungry, I don’t eat if I’m not.  I eat when food is available, I don’t eat if there isn’t any.  Simple as that.  And since I know you’re dying to know, same with my bathroom habits.  I go when I need to, and don’t go if there is no need.  Logical, right?  No schedule.  I’m footloose and fancy free!

Crazy hubby, on the other hand, has an iron-clad bathroom regimen, especially in the morning.  If things don’t go according to schedule, his whole day is off.  Apparently his eating habits must go as planned too.  And I know his sleep must stay on schedule.  If he gets more than 30 minutes off for even one night he wakes up the next morning insisting he is getting a cold due to lack of sleep.  Personally, I think it’s all in his head. 

Are all men like this?  Are women like this too and I’m just the weird one??