Not showing everything, yet...
But I'm really excited about making my house ready for Christmas!!
My life as a Catholic Warrior Princess.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Sunday, October 7, 2018
One Year Anniversary of Engagement!
It was one year ago today that my Hunter proposed to me.
We were on a little trip to the wedding of some dear friends, which was on Friday, Oct. 6th. Hunter was a groomsman, and I just attended. It was so much fun, getting to know this couple, and seeing how happy they were in their beautiful wedding and the fun party afterward at a brewery.
I had wanted to come back to Dallas on Saturday, but Hunter really wanted us to stay all weekend and show me around Santa Fe. I have been there before, because my family went to New Mexico many summers while I was growing up, and I knew how lovely it was in the fall. So I agreed :)
The hot air balloon festival was going on that day, and we saw so many balloons dotting the sky as we left Albuquerque. It was magical. The weather was a perfect crisp fall chill, and we listened to the soundtrack to Newsies as we drove into Santa Fe. Hunter wanted to go see the Cathedral first (the Basilica of St. Francis) and we parked and he was acting a little funny...he told me to go see about parking fees in this (almost empty) parking lot. I had a feeling he was going to propose, and I was soooo hoping he was going to propose that day, that I could hardly breathe. But we were both trying to act totally normal. It's really funny looking back :) I noticed when we were walking toward the Cathedral that Hunter had something box-shaped in his pocket. I tried not to be obvious, but I was so very excited.
Hunter is usually a *take your time* sort of walker, but he grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the huge wooden doors of the church. When we were in the foyer, they stopped us and said we couldn't go in because a wedding was going on. Hunter was visibly put out, and suggested we go get lunch first and then come back. We went to the Loretta Chapel next door, and ate lunch a cute diner. I remember I got this huge salad and I had a really hard time eating it because I was so on edge.
Walking back to the Cathedral, Hunter saw a Hagen Daaz ice cream parlour and asked if we could get ice cream. Being my always figure conscious self, I said no. He scurried us back to the Cathedral. I remember being so enchanted with how perfectly still and clear and alive the air felt around me. We went into the church and started looking around the main church, which was now wedding-less but full of tourists. We looked at the shrines, the artwork, and I pretended to not be freaking out inside. Hunter kept looking around over his shoulder at the people around us. I was on pins and needles.
Finally, we made our way into the Lady Chapel over on the side of the altar. It was, thankfully, totally private. As we walked up to aproach the altar, I felt Hunter drop away from walking with me. I could not breath. He tapped me on the shoulder, and I didn't budge or respond. He finally said "Amy" and I turned around and he was down on one knee, with the ring box out. He said "Will you marry me, my darling?"
I didn't answer. I was too stunned (even though I had a pretty good idea of what was happening). I just had waited so long for this moment, and it was hard to believe it was happening. It is STILL hard to believe when I look down and see my wedding ring next to that beautiful platinum solitaire.
When I finally said "yes" he got up, we hugged and kissed, and teared up, and then knelt down and prayed for God to bless us. When I said the word "fiance" in my prayer, Hunter quietly let out a gasp. It was becoming real for both of us.
After that, he asked me again if I wanted to get ice cream. He figured he'd ask again after he proposed, because he really wanted it and bet I'd say yes.
And I did :)
Happy one year of being promised, Hunter. 2nd best day of my life!
We were on a little trip to the wedding of some dear friends, which was on Friday, Oct. 6th. Hunter was a groomsman, and I just attended. It was so much fun, getting to know this couple, and seeing how happy they were in their beautiful wedding and the fun party afterward at a brewery.
I had wanted to come back to Dallas on Saturday, but Hunter really wanted us to stay all weekend and show me around Santa Fe. I have been there before, because my family went to New Mexico many summers while I was growing up, and I knew how lovely it was in the fall. So I agreed :)
The hot air balloon festival was going on that day, and we saw so many balloons dotting the sky as we left Albuquerque. It was magical. The weather was a perfect crisp fall chill, and we listened to the soundtrack to Newsies as we drove into Santa Fe. Hunter wanted to go see the Cathedral first (the Basilica of St. Francis) and we parked and he was acting a little funny...he told me to go see about parking fees in this (almost empty) parking lot. I had a feeling he was going to propose, and I was soooo hoping he was going to propose that day, that I could hardly breathe. But we were both trying to act totally normal. It's really funny looking back :) I noticed when we were walking toward the Cathedral that Hunter had something box-shaped in his pocket. I tried not to be obvious, but I was so very excited.
Hunter is usually a *take your time* sort of walker, but he grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the huge wooden doors of the church. When we were in the foyer, they stopped us and said we couldn't go in because a wedding was going on. Hunter was visibly put out, and suggested we go get lunch first and then come back. We went to the Loretta Chapel next door, and ate lunch a cute diner. I remember I got this huge salad and I had a really hard time eating it because I was so on edge.
Walking back to the Cathedral, Hunter saw a Hagen Daaz ice cream parlour and asked if we could get ice cream. Being my always figure conscious self, I said no. He scurried us back to the Cathedral. I remember being so enchanted with how perfectly still and clear and alive the air felt around me. We went into the church and started looking around the main church, which was now wedding-less but full of tourists. We looked at the shrines, the artwork, and I pretended to not be freaking out inside. Hunter kept looking around over his shoulder at the people around us. I was on pins and needles.
Finally, we made our way into the Lady Chapel over on the side of the altar. It was, thankfully, totally private. As we walked up to aproach the altar, I felt Hunter drop away from walking with me. I could not breath. He tapped me on the shoulder, and I didn't budge or respond. He finally said "Amy" and I turned around and he was down on one knee, with the ring box out. He said "Will you marry me, my darling?"
I didn't answer. I was too stunned (even though I had a pretty good idea of what was happening). I just had waited so long for this moment, and it was hard to believe it was happening. It is STILL hard to believe when I look down and see my wedding ring next to that beautiful platinum solitaire.
When I finally said "yes" he got up, we hugged and kissed, and teared up, and then knelt down and prayed for God to bless us. When I said the word "fiance" in my prayer, Hunter quietly let out a gasp. It was becoming real for both of us.
After that, he asked me again if I wanted to get ice cream. He figured he'd ask again after he proposed, because he really wanted it and bet I'd say yes.
And I did :)
Happy one year of being promised, Hunter. 2nd best day of my life!
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Tidying up the new house
I'm sitting here, in my new (to me) comfy leather chair, typing on my super blazing fast internet, listening to the constant hum of the carpet cleaner's drone as he cleans up the previous owner's dog's pee out of our carpets. We have a new house, and I'm so excited! I can't wait to post pictures and show you!
It's still getting tidied up, before we move big things in. We have brought over kitchen stuff, boxes of books, and a few odds and ends, but the main furniture is still at our tiny duplex.
I had *no idea* the vast amount of movies and vinyl albums my husband owned. Um...I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm searching for a way to store vinyl that doesn't look like IKEA-tier bachelor pad record storage. Think: long, pretty sideboard with cabinet doors. Any ideas? Please? I'm desperate!
Just one of Hunter's movie shelves:
It's still getting tidied up, before we move big things in. We have brought over kitchen stuff, boxes of books, and a few odds and ends, but the main furniture is still at our tiny duplex.
I had *no idea* the vast amount of movies and vinyl albums my husband owned. Um...I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm searching for a way to store vinyl that doesn't look like IKEA-tier bachelor pad record storage. Think: long, pretty sideboard with cabinet doors. Any ideas? Please? I'm desperate!
Just one of Hunter's movie shelves:
Let me emphasize again: Just one.
More pics to come!
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
A Quiet Moment from my Wedding
May we have many more quiet, private moments in our lives. We desperately need them. Everything is so public nowadays.
When was the last time you took a quiet moment for just yourself? And for God? Put your phone away and enjoy the gift of quiet.
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Thoughts on the massage table
A particularly wonderful priest friend of mine heard my confession and gave me the penance of having to do something nice for just myself. This might seem odd, but for people like me, and maybe you, we get caught up so much in doing a million things, doing the right thing, being perfect, and trying to correct the world's wrongs that little things like sitting down for a cup of tea and just enjoying the moment are mostly overlooked. So, off to the massage spa I went.
I lay there as I started relaxing to enjoy my medium pressure massage. There was no particular pain or problem area I wanted worked on, just to enjoy an hour of quiet, spa music, dark, and the glorious feeling of a trained therapist touching my muscles. My mind immediately started focusing on the stupid thing I had said right before my massage, and worrying what she thought of me. "No." I corrected myself. "I am doing this as a penance, and I need to be kind to myself even in my head while I do it". So I forced my thoughts in a new direction.
I thought back to massages in the recent past. I came into this chain, fighting back tears, to use the gift card my ex fiance had gotten me before it expired. I had put it off as long as possible to avoid thinking of him, but it was a nice amount and I wanted a massage. I take that back. I needed a massage. My shoulders were so tight that they were crunchy. Anxiety had so consumed my mind that it spilt over into my body. My neck and shoulders hurt all the time. They burned. My throat and face hurt. I was so sleep deprived that I had to take pills to get a minimum amount of sleep, and even then I'd wake up and have to take more pills. I was a wreck. The kind ladies at the front desk took pity on me and set me up with someone they thought would help.
When I went to the appointment, the lady told me I looked really stressed. I then almost burst into tears, telling her about my whole experience being abandoned by this man, my life being so shattered. I cried the whole massage. I had heard of this happening before. Massages can get deep into your emotions, because our bodies, hearts, and minds are all connected. Despite all the messy, snotty tears through that hole in the headrest, that massage was great. The lady told me she was Catholic and had been praying for me the whole time. What a blessing! I went back to her a few times before she disappeared from the location.
The girl I went to after that was a one-time therapist. She was amazing and I wish I knew what happened to her. She introduced me to clary sage essential oil which is great to combat anxiety. I went out and bought some for my diffuser and it became a daily thing for me. I went back and requested her but they said she had left the company. Alas.
At this point I was dating my now-husband. I cautiously proceeded on, dealing with my own body and mind in weekly talk therapy as well as massages. I kept working out. I made sure I kept eating. I was happy, laughing...on-edge with caution, but falling in love. Falling in love backwards, so to speak. I never had those lighting strike feelings with my Hunter. It was calm and gentle at first, and I was the one who had to warm up to him. Now that we are married, it's like first love, with the coos and silly songs and things that gag me when I see others doing them. But I can do them, because having a husband is great like that.
Fast forward to the day before my wedding. I had booked a massage for myself and my matron of honour as a part of our spa-day activities. We asked for therapists who are good for that type of thing and I got another wonderful one. It was amazing, and that's all I remember. I was so focused on the wedding that it really must have helped me because I don't remember being stressed. I do remember lying there thinking that my body...my whole self...would soon be his. And that's really weird and scary for someone who waited for marriage to have sex! I wasn't on edge or nervous about my wedding at all...just for little backstage things like my shoes being buckled right and my bracelet not catching on my dress.
And now I've had two massages since being married. It's a long, gradual timeline of comparison. But I am relaxed now, like a melting ice cream cone. I feel so accepted and loved. That "in-tune" with myself feeling I get during massages...that I could melt into the table and the music could become part of me...doesn't have to go away. I love being married to my Hunter. I look forward to a life with him. Even if I can't afford to get massages much long (we are closing on a house on Tuesday!!) I am so glad I've invested in it. It helps my tired feet and my formerly crunchy shoulders. And, as a penance, I suspect it helps my soul a little.
Thank you, Jesus, for wonderful things like massages and the healing power of touch.
I lay there as I started relaxing to enjoy my medium pressure massage. There was no particular pain or problem area I wanted worked on, just to enjoy an hour of quiet, spa music, dark, and the glorious feeling of a trained therapist touching my muscles. My mind immediately started focusing on the stupid thing I had said right before my massage, and worrying what she thought of me. "No." I corrected myself. "I am doing this as a penance, and I need to be kind to myself even in my head while I do it". So I forced my thoughts in a new direction.
I thought back to massages in the recent past. I came into this chain, fighting back tears, to use the gift card my ex fiance had gotten me before it expired. I had put it off as long as possible to avoid thinking of him, but it was a nice amount and I wanted a massage. I take that back. I needed a massage. My shoulders were so tight that they were crunchy. Anxiety had so consumed my mind that it spilt over into my body. My neck and shoulders hurt all the time. They burned. My throat and face hurt. I was so sleep deprived that I had to take pills to get a minimum amount of sleep, and even then I'd wake up and have to take more pills. I was a wreck. The kind ladies at the front desk took pity on me and set me up with someone they thought would help.
When I went to the appointment, the lady told me I looked really stressed. I then almost burst into tears, telling her about my whole experience being abandoned by this man, my life being so shattered. I cried the whole massage. I had heard of this happening before. Massages can get deep into your emotions, because our bodies, hearts, and minds are all connected. Despite all the messy, snotty tears through that hole in the headrest, that massage was great. The lady told me she was Catholic and had been praying for me the whole time. What a blessing! I went back to her a few times before she disappeared from the location.
The girl I went to after that was a one-time therapist. She was amazing and I wish I knew what happened to her. She introduced me to clary sage essential oil which is great to combat anxiety. I went out and bought some for my diffuser and it became a daily thing for me. I went back and requested her but they said she had left the company. Alas.
At this point I was dating my now-husband. I cautiously proceeded on, dealing with my own body and mind in weekly talk therapy as well as massages. I kept working out. I made sure I kept eating. I was happy, laughing...on-edge with caution, but falling in love. Falling in love backwards, so to speak. I never had those lighting strike feelings with my Hunter. It was calm and gentle at first, and I was the one who had to warm up to him. Now that we are married, it's like first love, with the coos and silly songs and things that gag me when I see others doing them. But I can do them, because having a husband is great like that.
Fast forward to the day before my wedding. I had booked a massage for myself and my matron of honour as a part of our spa-day activities. We asked for therapists who are good for that type of thing and I got another wonderful one. It was amazing, and that's all I remember. I was so focused on the wedding that it really must have helped me because I don't remember being stressed. I do remember lying there thinking that my body...my whole self...would soon be his. And that's really weird and scary for someone who waited for marriage to have sex! I wasn't on edge or nervous about my wedding at all...just for little backstage things like my shoes being buckled right and my bracelet not catching on my dress.
And now I've had two massages since being married. It's a long, gradual timeline of comparison. But I am relaxed now, like a melting ice cream cone. I feel so accepted and loved. That "in-tune" with myself feeling I get during massages...that I could melt into the table and the music could become part of me...doesn't have to go away. I love being married to my Hunter. I look forward to a life with him. Even if I can't afford to get massages much long (we are closing on a house on Tuesday!!) I am so glad I've invested in it. It helps my tired feet and my formerly crunchy shoulders. And, as a penance, I suspect it helps my soul a little.
Thank you, Jesus, for wonderful things like massages and the healing power of touch.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
The power of love
I am here at my mom's house, doing what I do best, sitting at my little laptop in my workout clothes, drinking a diet coke, and typing away.
And my husband, way over in Dallas, is doing what he does best...gearing up to record a podcast, texting lame memes to his friends, and playing with the puppies.
But we love each other, and from near or far, that doesn't change. It's good to be loved.
And my husband, way over in Dallas, is doing what he does best...gearing up to record a podcast, texting lame memes to his friends, and playing with the puppies.
But we love each other, and from near or far, that doesn't change. It's good to be loved.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Life is particularly good
My sweet husband gets up before I do and makes coffee. Then he comes and kisses me goodbye when he goes to work. And the little dog stays in bed with me until she hears him cooking his eggs. Then she gets up and gets her daily cheese from him, and then comes back to me in bed. It's almost idyllic.
We had a wonderful weekend. Hunter had to work Saturday for graduation at his school, and packing up classroom things and such. I made Tuscan chicken with zucchini noodles and pistachios. It turned out really well! I made way too much and we ended up having leftovers for the next 3 days. I think this is the way to go.
I'm starting to theorize that 1950s housewives went to the grocery store almost everyday. It makes me want to wear a dress and heels every time I go during the day. The day is the best time to go...around 10 am.
Sunday I sang at the Anglican church, as usual, for the morning. There is only one week left in my church choir before we get out for the summer. I always miss it, but I also enjoy sleeping in or being able to go to the 10:30 mass at St. Mary The Virgin.
Then we went to my mom's house and I got her some flowers for the backyard. I felt like planting these because we've always planted the flowers together, and this is the first year I've been married and living away so that I couldn't be there as much. Hunter helped me carry them.
Aren't I mean?
I just love him.
Memorial day we had my half brother and sister-in-law over along with their two youngest kids. We ate good food and went swimming in the backyard at my mom's. We all had a really nice time. Being the whitest of white people, the sun zapped us and Hunter and I had the best nap afterward! Then we came back to Dallas and ate leftovers and watched X-Files, and had some wine.
Such is married life, so far. Now I'm back to more laundry and finding something for lunch. We leave for Italy in 6 days! Ciao!
We had a wonderful weekend. Hunter had to work Saturday for graduation at his school, and packing up classroom things and such. I made Tuscan chicken with zucchini noodles and pistachios. It turned out really well! I made way too much and we ended up having leftovers for the next 3 days. I think this is the way to go.
I'm starting to theorize that 1950s housewives went to the grocery store almost everyday. It makes me want to wear a dress and heels every time I go during the day. The day is the best time to go...around 10 am.
Sunday I sang at the Anglican church, as usual, for the morning. There is only one week left in my church choir before we get out for the summer. I always miss it, but I also enjoy sleeping in or being able to go to the 10:30 mass at St. Mary The Virgin.
Then we went to my mom's house and I got her some flowers for the backyard. I felt like planting these because we've always planted the flowers together, and this is the first year I've been married and living away so that I couldn't be there as much. Hunter helped me carry them.
I just love him.
Memorial day we had my half brother and sister-in-law over along with their two youngest kids. We ate good food and went swimming in the backyard at my mom's. We all had a really nice time. Being the whitest of white people, the sun zapped us and Hunter and I had the best nap afterward! Then we came back to Dallas and ate leftovers and watched X-Files, and had some wine.
Such is married life, so far. Now I'm back to more laundry and finding something for lunch. We leave for Italy in 6 days! Ciao!
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