kapachino

Author: Kathleen

  • staycation wrap-up

    My forced staycation is coming to an end. I go back to work on Monday for the 3-11 p.m. shift, and I have mixed feelings. Part of me is ready to become a productive member of society again, but the other part is reluctant to give up all the extra time I’ve found myself with.

    The first week I was off work wasn’t vacation at all; it was hospital and recovery. But David has made huge improvements since then and he doesn’t need much help from me at all anymore. This past week I can accurately call a staycation, and here are some things that I did:

    Slept late and lounged in bed

    Now when I wake up at 4 a.m. it’s because my dogs want attention, not because my alarm is going off. But most of the time I wake up happily around 8 a.m. and get ready for the day slowly.

    Hit the road running despite the heat

    Even though some days I can’t bear to set foot outside more than I have to because of the sweltering heat, I have managed to start the C25k program again and complete the first two weeks. I figure if I’m going to eat an entire 11 oz bag of Raisinettes in two days I’ve gotta do something to counteract those calories!

    Took up a new/old hobby

    One day this week I was suddenly seized with the desire to cross stitch. I used to do it when I was young, but it’s been fifteen years at least. I went and raided my mom’s craft room, came away with some supplies, and am slowly working through a completely cheesy design. It’s a great hobby, perfect to do while watching mindless TV shows like 30 Rock, which is another new show I’ve picked up on thanks to Netflix instant streaming. Now I just need to find some designs I actually like.

    Read and journaled

    Of course, what’s a vacation if not time to read? I finished two books and am working on my third. I’ve also been doing some journaling and reflecting. There has been a lot of down time and I’ve been doing some thinking, mostly about the kind of life I want to live and how to make that happen. A break like this has given me time to decide what is worth spending time and effort on, and I’m sure you’ll become aware of these thoughts in the coming weeks as I write them down.

    Overall, the past two weeks were exactly what David and I needed. This surgery has been a long time coming for him, and it will solve so many problems. We got to have a lot of togetherness, as you can imagine, and it’s brought us closer than ever. I feel rested, rejuvenated, and ready to go forward with work & life.

  • Houston’s Orange Show

    I love Houston, and from time to time I like to do research on it like a tourist to see what new places I can find to explore. One thing that kept coming up was an institution called The Orange Show (<–check out the website, my brother’s company designed it). They call themselves a center for visionary art, and they’re most famous for holding the annual art car parade. But there are a couple other attractions they have stewardship of, the Beer Can House and the Orange Show Monument, that I have always wanted to see.

    I decided that this past weekend was the perfect time for a visit, so I dragged my youngest brother along and we made our mini pilgrimage to pay homage to folk art of Houston.

    This house is covered with 50,000 beer cans, all of which were consumed. There are also 20,000 marbles embedded in the concrete surrounding it. This whole thing was done by the man who owned the house, just for fun. I don’t know how his wife let him get away with it.

    Apparently it did lower their energy bills, so there’s that.

    ***

    And then there’s the monument from which the Orange Show gets its name. This was also built by a man on a whim, simply because he loved oranges and wanted to share his love with others.

    It looks like a small amusement park, but really it’s just in a regular residential neighborhood taking up one plot of land.

    I’m telling you, the guy just really loved oranges. There were sayings like this all over the place.

    His plan for the show was to have an organ playing while a tap dancer sang about health and nutrition. But sadly, his dream was never realized since he died 8 months after the monument was completed.

    I feel like a better Houstonian now that I’ve visited these landmarks! If you live in the area, they’re worth a quick visit. :)

  • Currently In August

    Current Book(s): I just started A Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. It was my pick for book club, and even though I wouldn’t normally choose a dystopian novel I’ve heard so many good things about this one that I couldn’t pass it up.

    Current Playlist: I follow one of my favorite musicians (& celebrity crush), Derek Webb, on Twitter. He recently recommended Thad Cockrell, and I was able to snag his recent record To Be Loved for free on Noisetrade. It’s been a long time since I’ve loved an album this much on the first listen. The album is still available, but only through this week!

    Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Since I’m basically letting David have control of the TV, we have been watching a lot of “guy” movies that I wouldn’t normally choose…and I kind of like it. Just don’t tell him.

    Current Color: I used to never wear any gold jewelry, and I didn’t really like it. But lately I’m seeing more and more of it that catches my eye, and I think I’m ready to try it out.

    Current Drink: I still basically only drink water and coffee, but I did have a smoothie the other day: a Caribbean Way from Smoothie King. The best.

    Current Food: When David went into the hospital my mom set up a program with the members of our church where someone brings us dinner every other day for a few weeks. This is a fantastic idea! So far we have had barbecue, tortilla soup, Chinese, quesadillas, and a constant stream of brownies.

    Current Favorite Show: As I mentioned before, I started Glee and it is my newest obsession. If only I didn’t have to wait two days in between discs!

    Current Wishlist: Money-wise, our budget is on lockdown until we get through all these medical bills. It’s actually freeing, because I don’t even have to think about whether I’m going to buy something or not. I just can’t. And since I’m also on a quest to live a simpler life, I’m learning about what I can do without and how to use what I have. All this to say that even though I keep up my wish list, I’m not really thinking about it.

    Current Needs: We need to do a better job of saving up money for emergencies. This is going to be a huge priority for us once things calm down a bit. (Also, I’m kind of desperate for summer clothes; I’ve been wearing the same two sundresses over and over.

    Current Triumphs: The only thing that really comes to mind is that I asked for, and received, a second week off work. Normally I would have gone back out of guilt, but something was telling me that I needed to cut myself a little slack and relax. I’m very proud that I listened to that something, and a lot happier too. :)

    Current Bane(s) of my Existence: The sweltering heat. I’ve been running and playing soccer again, but there is no time to do it when it’s not at least 90 degrees outside. This has led to some serious discomfort, as well as some unneeded headaches.

    Current Celebrity Crush: David and I watched Fargo, one of our favorite movies, last night and I was reminded of my love for Frances McDormand. She’s pretty much perfection in everything she does.

    Current Indulgence: I’m on vacation! My life is one big indulgence.

    Current Blessing(s): David is doing better and better every day. We love each other no matter what, and we are excited about the start of what will amount to a brand new life together. :)

    Current Outfit: Shorts, tank top, and hoodie all from Gap Body. I love the clothes there because they are super soft and comfortable.

    Current Excitement: I’m looking forward to every single moment of this week. Reading, movies, time with David, going to the spa, taking the dogs to the dog park, and free food!

    Current Link: Even though I’m not a mom (yet!), I find Simple Mom incredibly useful. It’s inspiring me to be more of the person I want to be.

    Happy August!

    Images: * * * *

  • friday things: odds & ends

    I started watching Glee from the beginning tonight. My brother had told me that there was zero chance that I wouldn’t like it, and he was right. In fact, I teared up in the first episode because of how happy it made me. My husband watched it with me and commented on all the stereotypes and how it’s basically just a cheesy high school movie. I looked him in the eye and said, “I like that.”

    ***

    My in-laws have been keeping Oliver for us since before David’s surgery, but since they’re going on vacation in the morning we got him back tonight. Even though we’re a little nervous about how it’ll work out with the big guy around, I have to say that I’ve missed him.

    It wasn’t two seconds after I sat down that his whole body was in my lap!

    ***

    Here’s a little TMI for you: today was day one of my feminine cycle. I can honestly say that I’ve never looked forward to it so much, because after almost 20 months of trying & waiting for one reason or another we are finally proceeding with fertility treatment: ovulation induction with intrauterine insemination. I debated on whether or not to share this, but I figured I already went through one miscarriage with you and it turned out okay. So today, despite dealing with my usual horrendous cramps and accompanying nausea, I was actually excited. I got a baseline ultrasound and a prescription for Clomid, which I start on Sunday. For anyone who has taken it before, what can I expect?

    ***

    On my way home from the doctor’s office I dug around in my wallet and discovered a long-forgotten gift card to Smoothie King with $7 left on it! Total score. It’s the little things. Then I stopped by a store I had a Groupon for called One Green Street and picked up a few new organic products.

    One of my goals is to transition to all-natural personal care products, so I’m trying out some different kinds to see what I like best. I’ll be sure to let you know how I like these.

    ***

    Today was a success! What about you?

  • A Different Kind Of Vacation

    It’s been a week since David had his surgery, and four days since we’ve been home recovering.

    Clockwise from top left: the patient’s domain, my home nursing shelf, Cleo wondering what’s going on around here, and the huge pile of snacks that we’ve amassed.

    My patient is improving by leaps & bounds, and soon he’ll be zooming around. But for the first month he still can’t put any weight on his right leg and he can’t drive himself anywhere. That means he still needs help doing some fairly simple things like going to the bathroom, showering, and having meals prepared. In addition to activities of daily living, I also have to give him a shot in his belly once a day, give him his medication, help him do his physical therapy, & change his surgical dressing once a day.

    I love having my husband as a patient, but in the meantime I don’t think I’ve been taking very good care of myself. The only time I leave the house is to get the mail, go to the pharmacy, or attend a previously set obligation. I sleep late, don’t shower till midafternoon (if at all), hardly ever put on makeup, and eat junk. Then there’s the fact that David’s family is getting ready to leave on their vacation that we were supposed to go on, while I’m faced with the prospect of going back to work with nothing to look forward to. The result of this lifestyle & attitude is that I have been getting progressively more and more depressed.

    This morning David gave me a wake-up call when he told me that he was really worried about me & that he was feeling guilty about being the cause of my sadness. In reality it has nothing to do with him – I absolutely love all the time we’re getting to spend together – but obviously I’m just not being good to myself. When I have days off from work during the week I’ll routinely spend all day at home and enjoy it, but doing that for an extended period of time is just not healthy for me.

    So this is what I’m doing to get happy again:

    First, I had a cup of coffee and took a few deep breaths.

    Next, I called work and told my boss that I’m taking another week off. I don’t want to stress about going back too soon or feel guilty that I should be there and not at home. I want a little more time to relax.

    Finally, I made a list of fun and – since we’re kind of broke right now – free things I can do at home or in the area in the next week that will make me happy and make it seem a little like vacation. This is my list so far:

    • Take the dogs to the dog park
    • Start running again
    • Watch Glee on Netflix
    • Visit the Orange Show Monument and Beer Can House
    • Use the spa gift card my family got me
    • Use the Groupons I have stored: one for microdermabrasion, another for products at an earth-friendly store
    • Go to the yoga studio
    • See a movie (I have a couple free passes I got at work)
    • Send some “just because” cards
    • Figure out some sort of project to do around the house

    So far so good, I think. It starts now.

    What about you? If you had a week to spend at home and not much money to spend, what would you do to make it into a vacation?