Wow! Two blogs in one day... Kari answered one of the questions from our party on her blog. So, she wanted me to answer it, too, before I could read her response.
The question is, "Who is the decision maker?"
Well, we really try to make decisions together. And we try to think of what the other person wants. Which can complicate things a little for simple decisions. Like, if she asks, what movie do you want to watch? Do I tell her what I want to watch or tell her what I think she may want to watch? We could end up watching something no one wants to watch! But we generally end up with things that we both enjoy. And if Kari ever does decide on something that I originally didn't like, I start liking it after she picked it.
For bigger decisions, we respect each other's perspectives. I want to hear what she thinks and what she wants. We never go forward without praying about things. If I have to pick someone, though, I would say that, for the most part, the final "yes" or "no" comes to me.
So, I guess this means, if you read my previous blog, I get to pick the island. :)
When I'm Happy
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Trial Run
Last Sunday, Kari and I spent another 4 hours at IKEA. Shopping for furniture and other big items has been one of the most fun aspects of buying a house. But we certainly are not quick with it. We like to investigate all the options, do a little product-review research online, and visit the store multiple times before we make a decision.
So, now we are trying to pick out some kind of kitchen island or kitchen cart. Our kitchen has a nice open space (as it was originally used as an eat-in kitchen), but it does not have much counter space. I originally thought we would get some kind of rolling cart that I could pull up next to my primary workspace, but now we are thinking of something more substantial. The problem is, we don't have that much space. And it is harder to find available options in stores than I thought.
We have it narrowed down to two options from IKEA. The pros of the Stenstorp are that I love the idea of having a place made to sit-at in the kitchen - especially with counter-height chairs (they are so much more comfortable for my short legs). You can't really see in the picture, but the half of the island without shelves is made for sitting. And I love the oak top and the whole white leg/stainless shelves look will go nicely with our kitchen. The island also will jut out into the kitchen enough so that as I am chopping and cooking by the oven, I can turn and put things on it without having to take a step. The cons are that the way we would have to turn it, the island would block the straight path from the living room to dining room. And its size will cut into our dance floor.
The other option is the Varde base cabinet. This one will fit more flush against the window, so that it doesn't really block the cut-through path. It has 3 deep drawers and 175 sq. inches more of counter space. But, the shelves, although longer, are more narrow. And it is not made to sit at. And may not leave room for the existing white shelf for my cookbooks and our "coming home" junk or the microwave cart.
We are leaning toward the Stenstorp, but because it is the more obtrusive design for our space, we did a trial run this week. We taped together some paper to make an outline of the island and put it in the kitchen. I've only "bumped" my knee on it once or twice and have found it is not that awkward to cut around, instead of going straight from living to dining room. Only once did Kari say, "I'm tired, I'm just walking through the island." There were also many times when I wanted to put things on the island - bowl of cilantro slaw waiting for dinner, hot pizza from the oven, marinating chicken waiting for the grill, etc.
Our trial is almost complete. I'll listen to any advice, especially if you have experience with IKEA products and/or kitchens. I think we will be able to make our decision soon. However, soon to us could be one week or two months.
So, now we are trying to pick out some kind of kitchen island or kitchen cart. Our kitchen has a nice open space (as it was originally used as an eat-in kitchen), but it does not have much counter space. I originally thought we would get some kind of rolling cart that I could pull up next to my primary workspace, but now we are thinking of something more substantial. The problem is, we don't have that much space. And it is harder to find available options in stores than I thought.
We have it narrowed down to two options from IKEA. The pros of the Stenstorp are that I love the idea of having a place made to sit-at in the kitchen - especially with counter-height chairs (they are so much more comfortable for my short legs). You can't really see in the picture, but the half of the island without shelves is made for sitting. And I love the oak top and the whole white leg/stainless shelves look will go nicely with our kitchen. The island also will jut out into the kitchen enough so that as I am chopping and cooking by the oven, I can turn and put things on it without having to take a step. The cons are that the way we would have to turn it, the island would block the straight path from the living room to dining room. And its size will cut into our dance floor.
The other option is the Varde base cabinet. This one will fit more flush against the window, so that it doesn't really block the cut-through path. It has 3 deep drawers and 175 sq. inches more of counter space. But, the shelves, although longer, are more narrow. And it is not made to sit at. And may not leave room for the existing white shelf for my cookbooks and our "coming home" junk or the microwave cart.
We are leaning toward the Stenstorp, but because it is the more obtrusive design for our space, we did a trial run this week. We taped together some paper to make an outline of the island and put it in the kitchen. I've only "bumped" my knee on it once or twice and have found it is not that awkward to cut around, instead of going straight from living to dining room. Only once did Kari say, "I'm tired, I'm just walking through the island." There were also many times when I wanted to put things on the island - bowl of cilantro slaw waiting for dinner, hot pizza from the oven, marinating chicken waiting for the grill, etc.
Our trial is almost complete. I'll listen to any advice, especially if you have experience with IKEA products and/or kitchens. I think we will be able to make our decision soon. However, soon to us could be one week or two months.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
It's safe to say...
that Kari and I will probably never move north of Florida. Not that we were thinking of it. We love our new house and could stay here forever. But, I've always had the notion that it would be fun to live somewhere different. Have four seasons, Fall colors, maybe some mountains.
But, no. After about a week of this arctic blast that we all can't stop talking about, I know I am made for Florida. I don't think I could live somewhere else on purpose to knowingly have this unFlorida-like weather every year, for months! I mean, even though we are going crazy with our highs in the 40s, I know some other places just call that Fall weather.
I have always enjoyed a little cold weather. Like how most years we dip into the 40s, and then are right back up within a day or two. Or on vacation, like our Denver trip in October where we got to hike in 20 degrees and play in piles of snow (thanks to generous friends who equipped us with appropriate clothing).
But I am not made for this continuous cold. In one week at work, I have already worn all my "warm" clothes - and even those had to be layered with thermal underwear. I don't have any closed-toe black shoes, so I am stuck with just brown outfits. We have had to do all our runs on the treadmill at the gym. And we've had the heat on for over a week - which means more times of running the heat than the rest of my adult life combined (the apartment never got cold).
I am thankful for flip-flops in January and tank top runs outside throughout winter. I love traveling north for the summer, or even Fall, but I think I'm a Florida girl for good.
But, no. After about a week of this arctic blast that we all can't stop talking about, I know I am made for Florida. I don't think I could live somewhere else on purpose to knowingly have this unFlorida-like weather every year, for months! I mean, even though we are going crazy with our highs in the 40s, I know some other places just call that Fall weather.
I have always enjoyed a little cold weather. Like how most years we dip into the 40s, and then are right back up within a day or two. Or on vacation, like our Denver trip in October where we got to hike in 20 degrees and play in piles of snow (thanks to generous friends who equipped us with appropriate clothing).
But I am not made for this continuous cold. In one week at work, I have already worn all my "warm" clothes - and even those had to be layered with thermal underwear. I don't have any closed-toe black shoes, so I am stuck with just brown outfits. We have had to do all our runs on the treadmill at the gym. And we've had the heat on for over a week - which means more times of running the heat than the rest of my adult life combined (the apartment never got cold).
I am thankful for flip-flops in January and tank top runs outside throughout winter. I love traveling north for the summer, or even Fall, but I think I'm a Florida girl for good.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Customized
For Christmas, my sister, Trish, gave Kari and me a gift certificate to make our own customized energy bars. I had never heard of it before, but we had a lot of fun playing around on the Element Bars website last night testing out possible creations. You get to pick your base, fruit, nuts, sweets, and boosts (like fiber or antioxidants) to best suit your energy needs. When we were done, the website said, "Wow! You sure found a lot of great things to put in your bar"... and then went on to recommend that we put a little less. I guess you can't add everything and it still taste good. So, we'll try again soon. I want to make a bar that is optimal for running recovery and call it I Run for Food. And what's really neat is that as you are adding ingredients, it shows you the nutrition label for your bar and how it changes with each thing added. Fun, fun!
Friday, December 18, 2009
The down side
Kari and I had to say a very sad good-bye last night. I have learned that I am a very guarded person. I am slow to open up and really be myself. I get along with people, but true friendship doesn't come easy. So, as Kari said yesterday, "this is when friendship sucks."
Over the past four years, I have gotten to know, trust, admire, and enjoy Kyra's friendship. Kari first met her in grad school, they started a carpool, and they ran together. I don't know if Kyra knows this, but her friendship to Kari came at a very critical time in our life. She was an answer to prayer. Kari and I were going through the lowest points of our marriage. It was a daily struggle dealing with issues and wounds... and because we had not revealed our relationship to anyone, we were struggling alone. We were most angry and hurt by each other, yet we were still trying to be the confidant and shoulder for each other - or not, which felt even worse.
We had been living in St. Pete for about 3 1/2 years and hadn't made any "daily" friends. We knew people, had people over, went to church stuff, but we didn't have that friend that we could count on for the daily stuff. Kyra became that friend for Kari. Kari didn't talk about us, but could talk about everything else and listen and be normal.
Soon Kari started a book club and I got the chance to know Kyra more, too. With time I opened up and made an irreplaceable friend with Kyra. I am still a rather shy friend - I leave it to Kari to make most of the phone calls and I hesitate to invite people over or out (even though I love it).
But that was part of what is so great about Kyra. She is always so accepting of me just being me. She is straightforward, but kind. She listens without judgment and is easy going. She is open and willing to share her life and struggles. (There's something so special and life-giving about having friends to share struggles and joys with.) She is funny and so exciting to be around. She would drop by mid-week - never caring that our house was a mess or that I always looked like I am in pajamas.
She brought me cold medicine when I was sick and Kari couldn't get to the store. She brought me cake when Kari was away and I was lonely. She lent us money at a critical time in our house-buying process. She was the first person I told that Kari and I are a couple. She let us be part of her growing family - from Kari taking engagement and pregnancy photos to letting us babysit and bringing her adorable baby boys over all the time. She is a friend to us, to me every day.
I will miss her and her family. Thank you, Kyra! You will always be family.
Over the past four years, I have gotten to know, trust, admire, and enjoy Kyra's friendship. Kari first met her in grad school, they started a carpool, and they ran together. I don't know if Kyra knows this, but her friendship to Kari came at a very critical time in our life. She was an answer to prayer. Kari and I were going through the lowest points of our marriage. It was a daily struggle dealing with issues and wounds... and because we had not revealed our relationship to anyone, we were struggling alone. We were most angry and hurt by each other, yet we were still trying to be the confidant and shoulder for each other - or not, which felt even worse.
We had been living in St. Pete for about 3 1/2 years and hadn't made any "daily" friends. We knew people, had people over, went to church stuff, but we didn't have that friend that we could count on for the daily stuff. Kyra became that friend for Kari. Kari didn't talk about us, but could talk about everything else and listen and be normal.
Soon Kari started a book club and I got the chance to know Kyra more, too. With time I opened up and made an irreplaceable friend with Kyra. I am still a rather shy friend - I leave it to Kari to make most of the phone calls and I hesitate to invite people over or out (even though I love it).
But that was part of what is so great about Kyra. She is always so accepting of me just being me. She is straightforward, but kind. She listens without judgment and is easy going. She is open and willing to share her life and struggles. (There's something so special and life-giving about having friends to share struggles and joys with.) She is funny and so exciting to be around. She would drop by mid-week - never caring that our house was a mess or that I always looked like I am in pajamas.
She brought me cold medicine when I was sick and Kari couldn't get to the store. She brought me cake when Kari was away and I was lonely. She lent us money at a critical time in our house-buying process. She was the first person I told that Kari and I are a couple. She let us be part of her growing family - from Kari taking engagement and pregnancy photos to letting us babysit and bringing her adorable baby boys over all the time. She is a friend to us, to me every day.
I will miss her and her family. Thank you, Kyra! You will always be family.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Really?
That was our attempt at winning an SEC championship? I don't want to be too hard on the Gators because if I am this disappointed, I can't imagine how they must be feeling. But... that was a really sad game to watch. Was our defense awake? They looked like they had never seen a team run the ball before! And since when did we think that Tebow is Peyton Manning? Why in the world did he stand in the pocket throwing the ball the whole game - well, for the few minutes we actually had the ball on offense? What happened to the option? The shovel pass to Hernandez? Catching the ball? Stepping up and running for 5 or 6 yards? Did we forget that we had guys named Demps and Rainey?
I have a hard time coping with loss. It's really weird how hard I take it. Especially since the Gators have done so well the past few years, I've sort of become accustomed to winning national championships. I think part of my disappointment stems from my own unfulfilled dreams of having sports success. You know, vicariously living through the new team. And I realize that it might be a while before we have another team that is this dominant and has a chance at a championship. So, it's very sad that we couldn't get it done when we had a chance. I could be wrong, but I think that I would cope better if we had at least played a good game. If Alabama didn't completely outplay and outcoach us. If we looked like we had deserved to be there.
And I feel bad for Tebow. I have always liked him, but have not liked the expectations put on him. Championships are won by teams, not individuals... like we did last year when we relied on our whole team.
Anyway, I was hoping that writing this would make me feel a little better. I'm glad that Kari doesn't care too much about football so that we are not both distressed. I hope we show up for our Bowl game. Or I don't know how I'll recover.
I have a hard time coping with loss. It's really weird how hard I take it. Especially since the Gators have done so well the past few years, I've sort of become accustomed to winning national championships. I think part of my disappointment stems from my own unfulfilled dreams of having sports success. You know, vicariously living through the new team. And I realize that it might be a while before we have another team that is this dominant and has a chance at a championship. So, it's very sad that we couldn't get it done when we had a chance. I could be wrong, but I think that I would cope better if we had at least played a good game. If Alabama didn't completely outplay and outcoach us. If we looked like we had deserved to be there.
And I feel bad for Tebow. I have always liked him, but have not liked the expectations put on him. Championships are won by teams, not individuals... like we did last year when we relied on our whole team.
Anyway, I was hoping that writing this would make me feel a little better. I'm glad that Kari doesn't care too much about football so that we are not both distressed. I hope we show up for our Bowl game. Or I don't know how I'll recover.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Fear
I have a special kind of fear for rainy days at school. The kids are wound up by not getting to go outside, they squeak their wet sneakers on the tile, they are continually distracted and amazed by the falling drops, some begin to panic about how they will walk home (even if it is still hours before dismissal), and I never know when one will splash in a puddle right next to me as we walk in line.
But the real fear is when it is time to go home and 750 students converge on the covered sidewalks, half with umbrellas. Have you ever seen a kid with an umbrella? I can't believe that we all made it without any eye-gouging. They have absolutely no awareness of their umbrella space or whose face they are popping it open in front of - even though we are still under the cover! It's like driving down the street and watching a kid on a bike glance behind to see the approaching car - they have no idea that they are swerving right in front of you.
Don't they make kid umbrellas? Like with little rubber tips instead of the pointy metal? If not, someone should really look into that. (Another Christmas invention, Jenny?)
But the real fear is when it is time to go home and 750 students converge on the covered sidewalks, half with umbrellas. Have you ever seen a kid with an umbrella? I can't believe that we all made it without any eye-gouging. They have absolutely no awareness of their umbrella space or whose face they are popping it open in front of - even though we are still under the cover! It's like driving down the street and watching a kid on a bike glance behind to see the approaching car - they have no idea that they are swerving right in front of you.
Don't they make kid umbrellas? Like with little rubber tips instead of the pointy metal? If not, someone should really look into that. (Another Christmas invention, Jenny?)
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