Being A Newlywed Isn't All About Romance

Garrett and I have been married for less than a year and have already experienced our fair share of Major Life Experiences. Shall we do a quick recap?

• November '07 - Wedding (aka 101 Ways To Drive Yourself Insane), started sharing a bathroom with one sink.
• December '07 - Traveled to Dallas for sister's graduation, traveled to Austin for recording job, hosted a Christmas get-together.
  
• January '08 - Bought a house (aka Take All My Money, and Some That I Don't Even Have).
• February '08 - Got the house ready to be lived in, traveled to San Antonio for conference, traveled to Austin for recording job.
  
• March '08 - Moved into new house.
  
• April '08 - Traveled to Vegas for cousin's wedding.
• May '08 - Garrett finished his last year teaching, Garrett sang the National Anthem at an Astros game, traveled to Austin for recording job.
• June and July '08 - Garrett hit the books and studied for his Series 7, Series 66, and Life and Health exams.
• August '08 - Garrett finished taking his exams and started a new job as a financial advisor, traveled to Austin for recording job.
• September '08 - Experienced our first major hurricane together and a disaster situation in Houston.
  

But I can't complain. We have everything we need and experienced no major damage from Hurricane Ike. And we even got our electricity back after less than a day. We eventually were able to restock our pantry and refrigerator and eat something other than PB&J, and were able to get gas without sitting in line forever. So life is good.

It's been a week since Ike visited town and disrupted our lives, so it seems like a good time to consider what we did right and what we did wrong in this hurricane situation.

• Right - We filled huge buckets with water for flushing the toilet, even though we ended up not needing it.
  
• Wrong - We waited too long to get plywood to board up our windows. By the time we made the trip to Lowe's all that was left was the really expensive stuff and the not-quite-thick-enough stuff. We ended up going with the latter because we're cheapskates. We got lucky and had no window damage.
• Right - We gassed up my car before the hurricane hit.
  
• Wrong - We didn't gas up Garrett's car.
• Right - We had plenty of bread and PB&J.
• Wrong - PB&J got old after two meals. Should have bought more snack (comfort) food.
• Right - We got plenty of cash out of the ATM before the hurricane hit. And it's a good thing because Walmart only took cash afterward.
• Right - We had candles.
• Wrong - We used the candles and set off the smoke alarm. But hey, at least we know it works!
• Right - We bought a hand-crank emergency radio that received radio stations, the audio of television stations, and even had a light and emergency siren built-in.
  
• Wrong - We listened to the radio for far too long and heard the same old information over and over and over again.
• Right - We hid out in our pantry during the storm, along with the dog and cats. Safety first!
  
• Wrong- We hid out in our pantry during the storm, along with the dog and cats (not in cages) and kitty litter!
• Right - We began our self-imposed seclusion in the pantry with prayer, leaving everything in God's hands.

So there you have it. First comes love, then comes marriage, then come Major Life Events and Natural Disasters. But we're praying that we'll be able to announce the coming of a baby in a baby carriage someday soon!

Being A Newlywed Isn't All About Romance

http://thelatebloomersblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/being-newlywed-isnt-all-about-romance.html

Hunkered Down

Hunker. What a word. It feels thick in my mouth, chewable. I just looked it up in Merriam-Webster and it's defined, "to settle in or dig in for a sustained period." That's us.

We spent yesterday and this morning preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Ike, an unwelcome visitor. When Ike arrives, he can expect to find our back windows boarded up, our patio furniture in the living room, and us hiding in the pantry if he gets good and mad.

Right now Garrett is in our living room taking a nap on the mattress pad that we brought downstairs for a little extra comfort. He wants to get a few hours sleep in so that he can stay awake tonight when the hurricane arrives. We're nothing if not hospitable.

We're pretty far up in northwest Houston, so we should be ok. This website says that we can expect maximum sustained winds of 86 mph. Our major concern is flying debris. And doing without electricity. What's a curly-haired girl to do without her flat iron???

But many are in a bad situation. Some waited too long to evacuate the coast and can't get out now. Others don't understand the seriousness of the situation and refuse to leave. They need our prayers. Reminds me of Psalm 91. This will be my prayer during this ordeal.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Hunkered Down

http://thelatebloomersblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/hunkered-down.html

5 Reasons Why You Need a Financial Planner

Hey folks,

I am up and running at my firm. After learning so much, I want to help each of you with your financial planning. In today’s world, a plan for the future is key for success.

5 reasons why you need a Financial Planner

5. Social Security isn’t that secure anymore.
4. Got kids? You need a college savings plan.
3. Help with maximizing your savings.
2. Easier transition through life stages.
1. A financial roadmap that is tailor made for you.

It doesn’t matter where you are in your life. Now is the time to get serious about your future. Let me guide you to your dreams.

Garrett Maddox
Financial Advisor
(281) 893-6020 ext 117
(281) 224-7464

5 Reasons Why You Need a Financial Planner

http://thelatebloomersblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/5-reasons-why-you-need-financial.html

"Hot Date" or "How to Analyze All the Fun Out Of Something"

Tonight I have a hot date with my husband. "Hot" as in we're going to an outdoor concert...in Texas...during the month of August. Sizzling.

Seriously, I'm totally excited about this. It's a MercyMe / Natalie Grant concert, so good times are expected. Garrett surprised me with the tickets as a way to celebrate my birthday. Isn't that sweet? Alright everybody, say it with me now..."Awwwwwwwwww!"

We've never been to a concert together, so don't really know what to expect from each other. What is appropriate concert behavior? I suppose it depends on the artists involved. So a MercyMe concert, whose concert-goers will be 99% Christian, will have a different atmosphere than, say, a Bon Jovi concert. Not that Bon Jovi fans can't love Jesus. I love Jesus and "Livin' On A Prayer" holds a special place in my heart simply for being the catalyst of many a daydream during my high school years.

Anyway, I digress. Tonight we're expecting to hear songs like "I Can Only Imagine," "Word of God Speak," and "Held." So as far as behavior goes, I foresee much swaying and closing of eyes. Singing when I remember the words. Maybe even the appearance of a couple of tears. *sniff*

What can I say, I feel deeply. Truly. I am a deep well of boiling emotion. It's gotta come out sometime, whether it be pretty or ugly. Since tonight is a "date," let's hope that it's the former and not the latter.

Wait a minute, what am I saying? I've got the ring on my finger, so he can't escape no matter how ugly I get! I OWN him! HUWAHAHAHAHA!

Not that I don't appreciate him and all his cuteness. Being on a date with my husband always reminds me of the first time we met. As I sat looking at him on that sweltering November day (it's cold in Houston for all of 5 minutes), I thought to myself, "Could I kiss those lips?" I'm happy to say that I have kissed them many, many, many......MANY times. And I plan to get kissed again tonight. *wink*

So, being a list person (aka NERD), I've composed a list of the behavior I expect to experience this evening:

• Sweating in the sweltering Houston heat.
• Singing off key.
  
• Swaying.
• Closing of eyes.
• Tearing up.
• And a whole lot of kissing.

Good times.

"Hot Date" or "How to Analyze All the Fun Out Of Something"

http://thelatebloomersblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/hot-date-or-how-to-analyze-all-fun-out.html

I COOKED

Saturday morning I made this for breakfast (one of Pioneer Woman's recipes) with a side of ham. We liked it so much that we had it again Sunday morning. I can't begin to tell you how much I ADORE this breakfast. Sure, it looks extremely fattening with all the butter and all, but I made it with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and it was JUST AS GOOD! It's our new fave. It can be a little tricky to cook it long enough to toast the bread but not to the point of totally cooking the yolk. A runny yolk is a plus in my book.

I've gotta say I felt proud of myself for cooking a mighty tasty breakfast. It made me feel all wifely and all. Like such a little homemaker.

Sure, other things around the house need some attention. But I COOKED. And it was GOOD.

I hate laundry so much that Garrett usually does it. But I COOKED. And it was GOOD.

My feet are so jacked up that I dare not show them in public. And I'm too lazy to give myself a pedicure. But I COOKED. And it was GOOD.

I forget to turn on the dishwasher until we get to the point that we can't fit one more dish in there. But I COOKED. And it was GOOD.

I drove my husband crazy yesterday telling him how I would do math problems. And he hadn't even asked. But I COOKED. And it was VERY GOOD.

So thank you, Pioneer Woman. Thank you for sharing a recipe that makes me feel like a wife. Thank you for a recipe that makes me forget about my failings. And thank you for a recipe that makes me feel like I did Something Worthwhile that day. I will be forever grateful.

I COOKED

http://thelatebloomersblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-cooked.html

The Day Should Start at Noon

I'm not what one would call a Morning Person.

I don't bounce out of bed with hair perfectly in place, breath as fresh as a spring breeze, and a smile for every person or creature that comes my way.

My mornings look a little like this:

1. Slowly wake up.
2. Decide it's too early to be awake and quickly fall back asleep.
3. Wake up again, watch my husband walk around getting ready, and feel guilty.
4. Fall back asleep.
5. Wake up again and throw the covers off.
6. Fall back asleep.
7. Wake up again and throw my body into a sitting position.
8. Climb out of bed and try to remember how to stand.
9. Smooth the back of my hair down so my husband doesn't fall on the floor laughing.
10. Creep to the bathroom to answer the call of nature.
11. Grunt a hello to Garrett. Or maybe just grunt.
    
12. Taste my mouth and reach for the toothbrush.
13. Kiss Garrett good morning after a good tooth brushing.
14. Sit at my vanity and try to spackle and paint my face until I'm presentable.
15. Try to remember what I wore during the past week so that I don't put on a duplicate outfit.
16. Creep downstairs, trying not to trip over a cat or dog, in search of sustenance and a cup of coffee.
17. Do a little Bible reading, journaling, and praying.
18. Drive to work.
19. Read email and plan my day.
20. Start thinking about lunch.
21. Fully wake up.

So there you have it. It's not pretty, but it's honest. Maybe when I have kids I'll grow up and make the most of my mornings. I can only hope.

The Day Should Start at Noon

http://thelatebloomersblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-should-start-at-noon.html

All in a Day's Work

This morning I took a trip to Ye Old Medical Lab for some routine blood work. The blood work itself was routine, but it messed up my own routine by requiring that I fast this morning. FAST. As in No Breakfast For You. On a morning that I was especially Hungry. I thought about sneaking a bowl of Fiber One cereal since the large amounts of fiber (hence the name) don't allow the food to stay in my digestive system for very long, causing minimum impact. So that's kind of like fasting, right? But when I thought about it a little more I realized that my hips don't lie and maybe my little fiber theory isn't entirely valid. WebMD does not a doctor make.

(At this point I'm sure that my Physician Assistant baby sister is reaching for her cell phone to scoff at my lack of medical knowledge. And maybe I should be going to her for medical advice. She's got the degree and all. But every time I look at her I see the little girl with pigtails, pointy BX glasses, and a look in her eye that said, "I'm trouble - with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool!" Although she's not much of a pool player. But I'm a Music Man fan and couldn't resist. Any Music Man fans out there? Anybody? No? Oh, nevermind.)

Anyhoo...

I digress.

So I left the house, escaping the Fiber One lure, and eased on down the road (what's with the musical references today?) to the medical lab, or, as I like to call it, the House of Pain. You see, my veins take on a cloak of invisibility when they sense the presence of a needle. Those inexperienced with The Needle use me as a pin cushion until I'm on the verge of passing out. So whenever I'm confronted by a new lab technician, I wonder, "Do you know what you're doing?"

So I walk into the lobby area, sign in, and chat with the technician for a few minutes. She asks me if I'm fasting, and I say yes along with an "I'm ready for a cup of coffee!" She agrees with me but tells me that she can't have coffee because she's going through a detox.

Say wha?

No, no, no, this can't be good.

We've established that I do not have a mind filled with medical knowledge, but I'll go ahead and say that I do not think that people undergoing detox are, shall we say, well-fed. And I'm of the mind that a well-fed person is a happy person. And only happy people should be wielding needles. Especially if those needles are directed toward my person.

We continued with the chit-chat and I relaxed. I tried not to think about the needle, like I was sitting in the funny chair with my sleeve rolled up just because I considered it to be comfortable and a good time to make a fashion statement. I was very pleasantly surprised that the detoxed-yet-wonderful lab technician got what she needed with one stab.

I feel that it's important to compliment good work, so I told her that I appreciated her expertise and the minimum of pain. She shared her secret with me - you may not be able to see a vein, but you can feel it. She simply knew what she was doing. And I realized that if you want something done right, you've gotta go to the experts.

Words to live by, my friend. Words to live by.

So I went on my merry way and rewarded myself with a trip to Starbucks for a biscotti and tall skinny vanilla latte. Actually, I tried to convince myself that I deserved a full sugar latte, for the pain and suffering and all, but Myself didn't buy it. So I got the skinny latte...and totally forgot about the biscotti. Coffee on an empty stomach. Nice. Pouring salt on the wound, so to speak.

That's how my work day began - little food, a lot of blood, and a very boring story to share.

Thank you for reliving the experience with me.

Good night.

All in a Day's Work

http://thelatebloomersblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/this-morning-i-took-trip-to-ye-old.html