The World We Live In and Life in General

The weather here is beginning to turn pleasant again. Pleasant enough that I even opened the sliding glass door onto the deck for some fresh air. It’s nice not have to worry about turning the heat on or having an extra blanket on the bed. I was actually a bit too warm when I woke up this morning.

As far as I know, the fitness center is still closed. It could be open, but I didn’t go up there yesterday to find out. We did get notices that the front gates of our "gated" community are finally going to start being closed on a regular basis. After 7 pm we will now need an access code to get in. Now if they would only turn the tennis courts back into tennis courts. ::sigh:: But alas, I’m pretty sure it’s staying a dog park now. The complex was built in the 70’s, which probably explains the tennis courts in the first place, but it’s being remodeled now, so dog park it is. I’m not complaining too much. I just wish I had a dog to take over there.

A friend of mine, Madison, was actually looking for a home for a black lab puppy because her apartment complex doesn’t allow dogs under a year. I would have loved to take him, and Alan’s ideal dog is a lab. But with the cats already and not knowing where we’ll end up in a few years, it’s better not to have a third animal. Alan tells me that Army families are constantly looking for homes for their animals, and I know my parents would probably be fine with taking a dog (though not a cat), that doesn’t make it right or fair for the animals involved. And technically our apartment complex doesn’t allow dogs under a year either, but most people just ignore the dog rules here.

I haven’t mentioned it in a while, but Alan is doing really well at work. His PT scores are improving, even in running, which has always been his weak point. Sgt. Schulz has said before that the only thing that will hold him back in the Army is PT, so I’m happy he’s doing better. He got a commendation or award of some kind for achievement while he was in the field, so that will be in his file. Yesterday he had to do a current events briefing and did so well that now the SCO wants him to do a briefing every week on what’s going on with the Libyan rebels. Sgt. Schulz also told him that he needs to step up and take a more active lead role in the office. Maybe next it will be Alan going to the Soldier of the Month board. I don’t begrudge Kelby because they’re our friends, but I’d still like it to be Alan.

Sorry, it’s just been a while since I’ve bragged on my husband. LOL. And he’s been bragging on me too, which is nice to know. He told the captain that he wouldn’t know what to do without me because I make sure everything gets done and that he doesn’t starve. It’s good to know that I’m appreciated for my efforts around the house. I have to admit, Alan has always been very good at acknowledging what I do. And I know he’ll be even more appreciative when I’m caring for a child on top of it. After all, he’s never changed a diaper in his life. He’ll get his chance, trust me, but he won’t mind that I’m doing most of the dirty work.

I’m still not preggers, but I haven’t given up hope by any means. Alan doesn’t want to miss any of the pregnancy and such, but he’s also okay with trying until it happens, even if that means I don’t get pregnant until right before he deploys. Especially since if we stop trying in a few months and wait until he comes back, I’ll be 30 or 31 by the time I get pregnant. I don’t mind if it takes that long, but I want to keep trying in the meantime.

And until it happens, I can focus on getting in shape. Charlee, Erica, and I went to water aerobics last night. It was okay, albeit overrun by old women. Mostly it was just nice to get in the water again. I think once the pool opens here after Memorial Day I’ll have to invest in some goggles and start adding laps to my fitness routine. Tonight we have a kettle bell class, because clearly I have repressed the memories of the last kettle bell class we did. At least I know it’s a good workout. And Charlee will be happy because it’s something I struggle with. She said yesterday that her new challenge was to find some form of exercise that sufficiently kicked my ass. I can’t help it that I build muscle fast, spent years in dance classes, and swim like a fish. LOL. I don’t think she’ll have to search very hard. Last time I did kettle bell I nearly passed out. So clearly I’m looking forward to another go.

Anyway, I’ve got lots to do, including a serious cleaning of the kitchen. I made chicken wings on Wednesday, complete with deep frying and messy barbecue sauce, then spaghetti with meat sauce last night, so the counters and stove top are in dire straits. Plus there’s vacuuming and mopping to be done. And at some point this weekend, there will be a new toaster. Ours died, the second we’ve lost since we’ve been living together. Maybe it’s some kind of sign to stop eating toast.

~Liz