Blogging more... Water Heater

Beth and I talked about how we ought to blog more. Since I'm sitting at home juggling a few things with a short break, I figure I'll make an effort...

Last night, Beth put on Cinderella Man at 10 (when we should have been going to bed). The movie was finishing up and I walked by and saw what appeared to be water the cats had splashed out of their bowl. When I went to clean it up, things got more complicated.

The water heater (after 20+ years) had started to leak. There was a big pool of water at the back of the laundry room. It took about 45 minutes to get everything wiped up and to drain the tank (it was a very very slow trickle out of the drain spout - it took forever). Beth went to bed and I finished cleaning it up and watched to make sure it wasn't still leaking. Before going to bed, I did some online research and found a replacement. I opted to have Lowes do the installation since I don't have a plumber to use (and don't like having to find somebody so last-minute).

Beth and I are going away for the weekend, so I'm very glad it happened now instead of Thursday night when it would have become a huge ordeal.

So Lowes says they can do same-day installation if you get everything ordered by noon. No big deal. I got to Lowes at 10:30 (I'll spare you the story about the work situation that kept me from getting there earlier). Then it turned out they couldn't do the install same-day. When the lady asked me if it was an emergency, I told her: "Well, my wife had to take a cold shower this morning and I'm not really looking forward to telling her she has to do it again tomorrow..." She wrote it down as an emergency and promised someone as soon as possible...

Cruise on the brain...

Steve and I scheduled our very first cruise for August 4th. To say that we are excited is the understatement of the year. We've been telling everyone we know and then some. 

I am looking forward to this cruise for several reasons: time away with my husband, crystal blue tropical water, delicious meals prepared by anyone but myself, swimming with dolphins, dune buggy rides, and so much more.

Perhaps one of the most exciting ideas of this whole cruise thing is that it satisfies my desire for travel. You'd think with all the traveling and life altering experiences I've had within the last 2 years, that I'd be content to stay in New Jersey and learn how to manage the jug handles and savage drivers. 

I recently got lost on my way to a work conference and called Steve as a last attempt at success after driving around the town for an hour and a half. (Who knew map quest could be so deceiving?) As he guided me through the last few turns, I realized (again) how thankful I was for a man who is willing to drop what he is doing to help someone in need. All to often, I find that people are willing to help, but only until it doesn't inconvenience them. Whether I am correct in this observation or suffering from a mild case of cynicism, the fact remains that I am a blessed woman to have married this man.

(Back to cruise thoughts...)

In college I exercised quite regularly- say 6 days out of the week. I didn't realize until this last year how in shape I was then and how un-shapely I am now. How could it be that in the last two years I've changed so much? Last month I made a calendar for the gym. On each designated day (Monday-Friday) I had a list of things I would accomplish to get exercise and tone up. After having a successful month in February, I eagerly made my schedule for March. Sadly, after only a couple weeks in, I've already missed 6 days due to a hectic schedule and sleep deprivation. 

Cruise time is just 20 weeks away! 

As my mom (and Anne Green Gable) always said, "Tomorrow's a new day with no mistakes in it." I will start a new week tomorrow and am committed to working hard at the gym not only for my own sanity, but so that I can enjoy our cruise all the more. 

Work is going very well. I enjoy what I do and feel grateful to be spending my life in a profession in which I laugh everyday, feel inspired by the people around me, am challenged to become a better professional, and have the opportunity to experiment methods of learning.

The kittens are doing well. Milo still takes the inhaler for his asthma (oy vey!) and we have to chase Jack from every surface he's not supposed to be on. 

Signing off for now. 

Morning comes soon.