Slice of life: September

Brief reflections on life right now…

Drea and I have gone public with the pregnancy, ushering in a season of “whoa” for me. For some reason, having people know about it and asking questions has made me aware (as if for the first time) that we’re actually having a kid. Hoooooly crap. We can’t wait to find out the gender in a few weeks. If we have a girl, Drea wants to paint her room light pink. I’m more partial towards a “gender-neutral” tone. Maybe a poll can settle our debate once and for all. What do you think?

•••

In other news, we finally moved into our new house with the Janes a few weeks ago. So far it’s been great, but it also means I’ve had to step up my handyman skills a little bit. We bought a power drill from Home Depot, which Tom and I have been using to install blinds. Turns out installing blinds is a fairly meticulous process requiring a degree of measuring accuracy that surpasses — as I learned the hard way — “eyeballing it”.

We’ve enjoyed making our new place our own, as suggested by the photos Drea uploaded to our family blog yesterday. After a year of not having our own kitchen, this is actually one of my favorite things about our house. Gall-darnit, I even like doing the dishes at night. (We’ll see how long this lasts.)

•••

We joined a few of our life group pals on Sunday night to see a Derek Webb/Sandra McCracken show at Jammin’ Java. We learned upon arriving that it was a standing show, but we got in early enough to snag some dining area seats. Sandra McCracken’s opening segment was pitch-perfect. (We actually ran into her and her kids at Starbucks before the show, which was fun.) Derek Webb was outstanding as well, playing through his entire new record — the gutsy marriage of folk-rock and trippy electronica that is Stockholm Syndrome. Particularly enjoyable was when technical difficulties on stage forced him to scale back to just an acoustic guitar, playing old Caedmon’s Call tunes and one unexpected treat — Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin”.

•••

So, that’s life right now. In the absence of a decent closing remark, I’ll leave you to marvel at the fast food order-taking skills of a certain King Burger employee…

Filed under: Family, Funny, Marriage, Music, Slice of life, Baby Ack, Communal living, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken

Thanks (in advance) — you’re a good sport

Drea is at the Outer Banks with Smizzle this week, leaving me all alone! I’m kickin’ it Kevin McAllister style this week. I’m doing okay (staying pretty busy) but I still miss her. As such, I’ve elected to write a haiku to chronicle this time…

North Carolina
Has my wife for the week and
I miss her a bit

She prepared me though
Did my laundry, cleaned the house
I have a good spouse

I’m not enjoying
Having the bed to myself
As much as I thought

She’s having good times
With a good friend, so that’s cool
Beaches, spas, chick flicks

She left me a list
Of stuff to do while she’s gone
“if I have the time”

I’ve done none of them
I’m a terrible husband
I hope she’ll forgive

She’ll be getting back
Tomorrow in the afternoon
So I still have time

I’m just rambling now
You’re probably bored to tears
Thanks — you’re a good sport

This is what happens
When I have too much free time
I write crappy haikus.

Filed under: Marriage, Slice of life, Travel, Haiku

A decade later (Part 2)

On this day ten years ago, Drea broke up with me. (For background info about our first dating relationship, click here.)

Anyway, my 15-year-old self was broken-hearted. March 23, 1999 was honestly one of the worst days of my life. It took me forever to get over Drea. I’m still trying to, actually. Hmm…getting married…fail.

I feel like since I posted such nice things about her the other day, it’s okay to give her a hard time today. Why would she break up with me? I mean, clearly I am the best and coolest person in the universe. I was back then too. Man, did I have a way with the ladies. Clocking in at just under 100 pounds and 5′ 1″, my heart-stopping good looks and debonair style kept the females swooning. To think what Drea gave up…

Anyway, Drea definitely deserves some grief for breaking up with me. Here’s her blog address. Let her have it!

Filed under: Marriage, Dating

She’s true, like ice, like fire.

People, my wife is the bomb. Marrying Drea was best decision of my life. (Hopefully marrying me was the best decision of hers – I have my doubts sometimes.) In the time since we got married, I’ve progressively discovered more and more things I love and appreciate about her.

This week, I’ve been particularly grateful for her counsel. Drea knows me better than anyone, and has a keen ability to tell me what I need to hear at any given time. Whether it’s to encourage or to correct, I can consistently count on her to speak the truth in love. In providing counsel, she is never judgmental, never pompous, never patronizing. Her use of rebuke and correction is cautious and well-intentioned, stemming from a desire to see greater sanctification in my life. These verses remind me of her…

An excellent wife who can find?
   She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
   and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
   all the days of her life.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
   and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
   and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

- Proverbs 31: 10-12, 25-26

This doesn’t even begin to cover everything I love and appreciate about Drea. I could go on about her friendship, her intelligence, her upbeat disposition, the perfect blend of smart, sexy, and silly that distinguishes her. But for now, I’m just grateful for the undeserved blessing of a wise and humble wife.

My love, she speaks like silence,
Without ideals or violence,
She doesn’t have to say she’s faithful,
Yet she’s true, like ice, like fire.

- Bob Dylan, “Love Minus Zero/No Limit”

Filed under: Marriage