Random Thoughts

Some days I find myself lost in thought. Not neccessarily about anything specific but about lots of random things. Things about work, things about home, things about the future, etc. I absolutely hate when this happens at night... say around the time I lay my head down on my nice soft pillow and shut my eyes. Boom! Out of nowhere things I haven't thought about in months or things that I am absolutely certain I have taken care of pop up and don't want to leave my mind. This has been happening a lot lately. I really can't remember the last time I slept for more than 3 or so hours at one time. Of course napping is out of the question right now as I have been working OT at the hospital and at FMH on the side in addition to "everyday life". Maybe that's part of the problem. **Sigh** I need a vacation!

Absence make the heart grow fonder...

Clint and I knew at the beginning of the year that he was going to be consistently gone a lot during the week for work. Training others, being trained, etc. So now we are left to adjust. Things have gone okay so far. We have been lucky enough that the trips have been here in IA or not all week so we can see each other some. It's hard when he's gone all week, I work the weekend and then he leaves again on Monday for a week though. Which is were we are right now. Flat out stinks! I haven't figured out how to easily fall asleep at night without him. The dogs love to snuggle but they just aren't the same. I miss coming home at night to no hubby and no dinner and no lights. I would rather be here though then doing what he does. I can't imagine having to wake up in a new hotel room in a different city every morning. Not having anything of my own to use or make me feel comfortable. He is certainly amazing. He is working hard to give us the life we dream of. He never complains and he never gives up. He continues to find the best in the situation and make the best of being apart. It has made us treasure the time we are able to spend together that much more though. I get so excited at the end of the week for him to come home. The dogs and I watch for him and shower him with hugs and kisses when he arrives.

Catch up

Yes I know, I know, I am behind again on blogging. Clint and I have both been working crazy hours lately. Heck it took us a month to go 1 block to see our friends new baby. Clint's been out of town a lot lately and I have been working extra hours at the hospital on top of my usual 36 there and 10 at FMH. Insanity I tell you!

So what is new? Really, nothing. We work, we eat, we sleep, we clean and that's about it. We had a very eventful day today. Suit & glasses shopping. Clint needed a couple new suits, I needed new glasses. All in all we got everything we needed and then some. I now know what size suit, shoe, and dress shirt my husband wears. I suppose that's something every wife should know but I have a feeling that means next time I will just get a list of what is needed for an upcoming meeting or event. It was interesting to see them fit him and see how many different suits there were to choose from. It's kind of like shopping for a wedding dress without the emotions attached. Massive amounts of the same yet slightly different. In the end he ended up with 2 nice suits, a new plain black one and a brown pinstripe kind of deal. He got new shoes, a new belt, new shirts and new ties... and I got a pair of glasses and a new purse. That's a fair deal right?! We both hate shopping so much I was actually quite impressed with the outcome. Now for a new shower curtain and a hair cut and we will be set for awhile... I hope!

Miley & Geordie watch television...

Need I say more?! That's Clint's hand by the way. The 3 of them were watching tv and he was petting Geordie but the picture was way cuter as a close up!

Grandpa & Grandma Swallow

Over the weekend we went out to see my grandparents for a late Christmas and to celebrate my grandma's birthday. I grew up with them living a field away which I walked through many times to visit. We (me and the siblings) spent a lot of time with them growing up. Not too long ago they moved from the farm house to a assisted living community in Dallas Center. They are both 91 years old now and amaze me every time I see them. They are still full of life, happy and have so many interesting stories to share. I never realized as I was growing up just how knowledgeable the were or how much they care for me. I saw them as the grandparents down the road where I went to play games, watch some television and have root beer floats. Looking back I realize some of the things they taught me and some of the wonderful moments I had with each of them. I wish I would have realized earlier just how important they are to me but am thankful I have realized now.

Home Improvement

So when we bought our home a year and a half ago we were already way ahead of where we thought we would be in the home improvement department. We started off talking about a fixer upper... thank goodness we didn't do that! For those who don't know, the house we bought was basically stripped to the studs and rebuilt... a long term flip. It took the guys 7 months to do the work before we officially bought the house. Sure we had to give up some of the things we wanted to have and the area we are in is not 100% out ideal and there are always projects just like any other house. The good thing is, we still love it! So overall our house is on the smaller side. Our top floor is 860sq ft and the basement is a little less. Our attic has a basic floor in it but isn't livable. We can store some things in it but not everything and definitely not the everyday things we use. Our kitchen is one of the smallest I've seen which leads to more storage issues. We have been using the stairs that go up to our attic as our pantry. I had half of my kitchen stuff in storage because there just wasn't room. Well... things have changed, thank goodness. Clint and I tackled the job of putting up shelving, floor to ceiling in the stairway. We bought the boards, cut them (Clint even got a new electric saw for this project which made him very willing to participate!), painted them, found the studs, mapped out the shelving and screwed every last screw in to the boards and wall. We did it!

~BEFORE~

~AFTER~

Happy Anniversary

Our wedding party

We both worked on our anniversary so we postponed the celebration until January 1st. Clint surprised me and brought home roses and a card on the 29th! We went to dinner at Bistro Montage on the 1st for dinner and came home to our year old wedding cake (which actually was surprisingly yummy) and some wine. The year has flown by. We have had a great first year and are looking forward to many more. I am so thankful to have a husband who is as wonderful and caring as Clint. He is always there to cheer me up when I'm down and to bring me back to reality when I need it. He drives me crazy some days but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have friends that ask me how I knew Clint was "the one". I can't explain it, it's just something you know.

Love you babe! Happy 1 Year Anniversary!