2009

I haven't written a post in a while. I suppose I've been busy - this entire year I've felt like there are not enough hours in the day to squeeze in work, family, photography, friends and fun. But, recently I've been sick and bound to the couch in the same pj's for 48 hours straight.

It's late December and there are "2009 lists" on the news and on-line. For me, the theme of 2009 seems to be "family". Luke and I celebrated 5 years of marriage in May, my best friend had a baby and my sister is also expecting her first child and I'm so grateful my Dad remains in remission from cancer. I've watched "The Family Stone", one of my favorite movies, 3 times in the last 2 days (like I said, bound to the couch). I love watching this movie around the holidays and the complicated, hilarious characters and story-line that tears at your heart. This weekend, assuming I'm 100% well by Saturday, my family will gather for the holidays and there's nothing I look forward to more than family traditions at the holidays.

A brand new, shiny year is right around the corner and I'm looking forward to 2010.

Shut the door. Have a seat.

Last night, the season 3 finale of Mad Men aired and it was one of my favorite episodes of the series. Heart-wrenching, exciting, funny - it contained the perfect balance of closure for Season 3 story-lines and wanting more for Season 4.

A couple of years ago, before we were all mad over Mad Men, I read a review of the show and vowed to tune-in. I didn't tune-in until this season but watched Season 1 and 2 while Season 3 was in-progress. It's my kind of show - outstanding writing, character driven and a story-line about love and marriage any hopeless romantic would fall for. I couldn't be a bigger fan of Don, Betty, Sterling, Peggy, Pete, Joan and all the excitement and drama 1960's Madison Avenue has to offer. Luke was less enamoured with Season 1 but has since gotten on-board.

Last night's episode keeps playing in my head particularly the scene in Don and Betty's bedroom, after she bravely expressed her decision to divorce point-blank and he's blind with anger over rumors of his wife being with another man. Every scene between the two characters painting the picture of a perfect marriage led up to this one. The pain and mis-understanding in their eyes was hard to watch and fascinating at the same time.

Don says to Betty "I gave you everything you ever wanted". Children, a nice home, a picture-perfect life.

Yet, all she ever wanted was him. Not only did he make himself off-limits to her, his entire identity was a lie. He didn't know how to love her. And her love was wasted on him, because he is so dishonest with himself about who he is.

And my heart ached for Betty, because her husband has broken her heart, her trust and her family. She's been forced to choose a broken family over a life with a man she doesn't know. And my heart ached for Don, who has overcome so much to be a successfull businessman and loving father but remains lonely and unable to reveal himself to anyone because of his lack of identity.

The episode seemed to come full circle with the quote which originally pulled me in:

"Things don't change, people don't change. The rules change."
-Matthew Weiner, creator of Mad Men

The rules have certainly changed for Betty and Don and the Sterling Cooper agency. The rules are always changing.

He said She said

Here's the situation: My Mom and Dad were visiting Luke and I in Austin this past weekend. Friday was my Mom's birthday, I was cooking dinner for her and Dad that evening and hosting a dinner party for 12 people on Saturday night.

Here's the timeline/dialog:

6:30 - 8:30 am Friday: Heather's 1st trip to the grocer for the weekend. I made it into the office by 9:15, just in time to facilitate a meeting at 9:30 am.

12:52 pm Friday: Luke called me to say he was going to the grocer and did I need anything? My response, "Yes, I'll send you a list"

Said list emailed to Luke at 1 pm Friday:
"All things I forgot this morning….

1 bag Ground coffee
1 box Spaghetti noodles
1 red bell pepper
Italian Parsley (not curley leaf)
1 lb ground chicken (they didn’t have any this morning)
Angel food cake – in the bakery if they have one
Marshmellows

Thanks!"

His response:

2 things:1. funny that you made it clear that you are not buying even more chicken (Luke regularly complains about the amount of chicken in our freezer at any given time)

2. marshmellow (?). good job, Tasha (my sister the accountant not known for spelling skills, she spells 'paper' as 'papper' and 'scissors' as 'sisors'), on the spell check (the correct spelling is 'marshmallows' with an 'A')

3:30 pm Friday - Luke arrives home from the grocer and my parents arrive. It should be noted, Luke was asked to sweep the wood floors downstairs before Mom and Dad arrived but spent over an hour at the store to pick up 8 items - the 7 I requested and flowers for me, for my birthday the day before.

10 am Saturday: Heather and Mom go to grocer for fresh bread for Brushetta for the dinner party

Today, Monday, I got a follow-up email from Luke:

"i think i did really good on my grocery shopping outing. really good. lil pup (our Golden, Boston) says so too :)"

My response:

"Seriously? Thanks for going to the store :) Comments below.....

1 bag Ground coffee. You got 2 little bags. It wasn’t for M&D but for the party. No credit.
1 box Spaghetti noodles. You got whole grain. Credit given.
1 red bell pepper. Good job! It was a bell pepper and red and you didn’t get green which is cheaper (but now you probably will next time)
Italian Parsley (not curley leaf). You got curly leaf. No credit.
1 lb ground chicken (they didn’t have any this morning) . They didn’t have any and you checked with manager. Extra credit given.
Angel food cake – in the bakery if they have one. Didn’t deliver on this one. Not sure if you checked with bakery or not so credit given but no extra.
Marshmellows. Full credit given. You got the right size and brand, which wasn’t specified."

Adventures in gardening

I don't have a green thumb. Several house plants have shrivled up into brown, lifeless nothings under my care. But, since we moved into a house, indoor plants have thrived as well as 4 red oaks we planted in the back yard. Perhaps this is due to the rule that Luke waters the indoor plants and cares for the lawn and I stay away from the plants all together.

In the Spring, early April, I began reading about gardening and researching plants which are hearty and ideal for the climate in Austin. I wanted to create a cost-effective walk-way to the gate which leads to the side of the house and drive-way and a grass-free area by the back door so pup Boston tracks less grass and dirt inside the house. I drew up map of our back yard and convinced Luke to install a river rock path. Flower beds were included in the plan, for a complete garden.

After more trips to Lowe's, Home Depot and the local nursery than I can count, the path was installed and the flower beds framed. The path took an entire weekend, but Luke and I did it ourselves. Planting the flowers took 2 weekends. Some of the plants didn't make it - they died immediately and were replaced. This past weekend, I bought a couple of mums in beautiful Fall colors.

I love our backyard garden. It's nothing spectcular - but I sit on the porch every morning before going to work to enjoy the garden and eat breakfast or let Boston sniff around in the yard. I'm surprised at how quickly it has filled in and all the colors of the flowers. Who knew I could care for flowers?

A photo of the garden after all the beds were filled

And a photo from this weekend:

Birthdays

My birthday is later this week. My Mom's birthday is the day after mine, which always makes this a special time of year. Mom and Dad are visiting us this weekend, we'll have cake and ice-cream as family on Friday and on Saturday, some friends are coming over for an "outdoor movie night" (weather permitting) and home-made pizza. It's going to be fun! Lots to do, though - clean the house, buy a gift for Mom, shop for groceries. Did you know local pizzarias sell dough? Huge relief, as I'm not a baker and just getting ingredients for Hawaiian, BBQ, Spinach and Sausage, Veggie and pizza Margherita is a lot more fun than trying to make dough.

Last year I turned 30. Leading up to turning 30 was a struggle, but at some point, I realized life didn't need to be all figured out at this point (or at any point) and I embraced a new decade with excitement and anticipation. Luke and I had never been to New York, so we took a trip there for my birthday. What began as a great birthday week became a wonderful 30th year.

I'm looking forward to 31 and am even thinking about getting my ears pierced. Yes, I'm one in a million that way, not having my ears pierced.

Ordinary

This weekend will consist of laundry. Washing my car. Going to the grocer and planning a menu for the week. Cleaning house. And whatever time is left will be spent on a walk with Luke and pup Boston or relaxing at home.

I will not be working. Or traveling. I feel like all I've done the past month is work. The house has been neglected. Everyday errands need to resume. When I look ahead, work is all I see so I'm taking back whatever time I can find for myself, my family.

It's going to be a great, restful weekend!

Girl TV

Luke and I were in Phoenix this past weekend for a long weekend. We spent time hiking in Sedona, sharing a club sandwich at the lobby bar and at the Colts vs. Cardinals NFL game Sunday night.

It was a great trip. Sedona was absolutely beautiful.

Now, I'm back and so busy, the zen, relaxed state which comes with vacation and relaxation is completely gone.

Last night, Luke was in class so I tried to re-instate a stress-free mood by watching the Brothers & Sisters season 4 premiere. It's one of my favorite shows and I missed the premiere due to the football game.

So, pup Boston and I cuddled up on the couch for some "Girl TV". Mission accomplished - the show was perfection - setting up story lines for all my favorite characters (all the characters). Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Dave Anabell (I think that's his name and am too lazy to lookup in IMDB) and Rachel Griffiths are amazing actors. Looking forward to this season. And some nice Fall weather to go along with it.