3 Years and Counting

Our wedding cake

Today, I just wanted to say Happy Anniversary to the love of my life. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us!

Strange Fact

B and I have been together over 4 years now. We have done many different things when we go out. Generally, we go window shopping when we are alone. We are able to concentrate better since C isn't around being the girl with a million questions.

One thing we have never done: go to a movie together. Sure we have used Redbox, Blockbuster (when we live near one), Netflix, cable, and our own personal collection of movies. We have just never have gone to the theater. I have been with C and friends in the last 4 years.

This summer, we are hoping to change that. We both really want to see Fast and Furious 6. We watched the one before on a TV (that we no longer have) and it was good, we had a giant 60 inch DLP with surround sound. We don't have that anymore.

I hope we change this and get to watch a movie soon.

Anniversary Present-3 years

With our anniversary nearing, it was time for me to think about what to get B. I was looking at a blog and I came across a link in the comment section for Red Envelope. 

Never heard of them so I checked them out. Sometimes I am stumped on what to get him since he is such a simple man.

I was in luck. In their "For Him" section, I found these guys:

A simple Google search and I had a 20% off coupon added to my order if I used a visa card, which I did. And it was on its way. Shipping was a little costly, they use FedEx, but with my discount, it was only $25.something. Not bad in my book for a gift he will love.

They came today and they are perfect. We are the type of people who can't surprise each other often, he already knew they were coming since after I ordered them, I freaked out and thought he wouldn't like them. He got them today and loves them. He wants to make them into wall hangings but he will have to wait until at least our actual anniversary (July 9th) before I will alter them for him.

Any gifts you have given that weren't a surprise? Given cotton for a different anniversary than 2nd?

XOXO
Jes

The Engagement

Previously, I wrote about how B and I met. I was talking with some friends and I haven't shared this part of our story.

A little backstory first: when B and I started dating, I didn't have a car. He technically didn't either. B bought a car, a 1993 Cadillac DeVille with a gold grill. Fancy, right? That car became Betsy. She thought she was a truck and he bought her in November 2009. We weren't together very long but he had me put the car in my name. So we shared the car until February 2010 from different residences. Weird right?

We were living together after that and sometimes he would borrow a car from a co-worker, the night in April, I had Betsy and he had a borrowed truck. He called me to invite me to dinner at a pizza joint he liked.

I showed up and we were across the parking lot from each other. He calls me and says he thinks he burned a hole in the seat and could I come look at it? I thought this was weird because he doesn't smoke. I went anyways.

He steps back from the truck, mind you, we are in the middle of a parking lot. On the seat is a box. He coaxes me to hold it, but I don't open it. The next moments seem to have lasted a lifetime.

I am standing at the driver's side door holding a ring? box. While he is dancing by the truck bed on the same side. He says "I've just got one question." more dancing. I say, "uh huh." still holding the closed box. He repeats himself and so do I, this goes on for another time except I say, "yea?"

He responds, still dancing," will you marry me?" I actually say nothing. Instead, I open the box to find a diamond solitaire ring and slip it on my finger. I hug him, I kiss him and while still embraced, he says, "so, is that a yes?" Doh! I hadn't said anything! Of course it was a yes!

I still laugh at that day and that moment. He never saw me slip the ring on my finger. We were in a dim parking lot at night. I still laugh that I married a wonderful man, who proposed marriage in a parking lot! If you ask him, he says it's because that is who we are, we are one of a kind. We had late night meals, met up with each other. It has been crazy and fun and we wouldn't have it any other way.

XOXO
Jes

Four Years!

Holy crap! Today it was 4 years ago that B and I became an official couple. A little hard to believe. So much has happened in that time!

-I lost my job as a server at the restaurant we met at.
-I started going to school again. (later I quit due to time and money)
-B took a year off from being a chef.
-We moved, 4 times. 3 different states and 4 different cities.
-We lost a cat, a dog, 2 fish, and 2 babies.
-We also have had 2 dogs, 2 fish, and 4 cats (not all at once!).
-We have been to 7 different states (Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas).
-We have been to 2 different Omahas. One in Nebraska and one in Arkansas.
-We got married!

I think that is all I can think of right now. Kinda crazy that all had happened!

XOXO
Jes

Whoa!!

Plans are made! I let C's sensai know that Friday will be her last karate class for roughly a month. She will be getting her white with yellow stripe belt on Friday! I can hardly believe it! I am so proud of her.

Also, we will be driving to Oklahoma to meet up with my in laws on Sunday. I am excited for her to go see family. We really had a chance to visit them often when we lived up there.

Oh and I know it means less now that we are married, but B and I have been together for 4 years on Friday. Kinda hard to believe! It has been rough, but I couldn't have a better partner in this journey.

XOXO
Jes

Father's Day 2013

I am not sure when holidays get easier. I really shouldn't complain too much about father's day, it's not even my holiday. But I do. It sucks for C. I know this. It sucks that B won't be around when all she wished for was a daddy. And now, she can't even celebrate it with the one she waited so long for.

It sucks for B too. He doesn't get to spend the day with his family like we did on mother's day. He gets stuck working a 7th day in a row instead. It's not fair to either of them.

Last year, I think it was easier. We were closer to other family. We could at least see other people. We don't have that luxury this year. My dad doesn't even talk to me. I haven't seen him since he threw our going away party. That was last year, in February.

Sometimes, holidays just make me remember how alone I really am here. I don't know anyone here and I don't have close family. Although even when I was closer to my family, it sometimes seemed like I was worlds apart from them.

If you can tell me when it gets easier, I would love to know. Until then, I will suck it up.

XOXO
Jes

Divorce... Not Our Cup of Tea!

I think this is something that happens quite a bit in the "industry" (restaurant industry that is).

Recently, B found out that a former sous chef of his is getting a divorce. It saddens both of us to hear this. We never like hearing that people we know are getting a divorce. It sucks.

My parents divorced when I was 2. My mom remarried fairly quickly and was divorced from him by the time I was 8. My dad waited a long time before marrying again and I was a bridesmaid in his wedding. He got a divorce a few years ago. My mom got married again a few years ago, for the 3rd time.

I know what it's like for a kid and it's not easy. I never wanted my daughter to feel that way. So, when B and I got engaged, I knew before he even asked that divorce was never a part of our future. We don't think it's the right thing for us. I would say we don't believe in it, but it's kind of hard to say that.

We entered our marriage at 25 (me) and 35 (B). We waited to find the right person and we were never shy about who we were. I knew I was marrying a chef. I knew that it wasn't going to be puppies and rainbows. I knew that there would be times when I was going to be doing things on my own. I am perfectly fine with that. I just know that he loves me and I love him and that's all that matters at the end of the day.

XOXO
Jes

Miss Independent

I realized today that I possibly lost Miss Independent when I became a Mrs. I. And the I doesn't stand for "independent".

I can do amazing things. I can put a desk together, hang pictures on the wall, air up a tire (change it if I really need to), pump my own gas, cook amazing food, clean house, etc. However, I hate using the plunger.

Up until a few years ago, I never used one. I have watched other people use one, I think I may have owned one in my first house, unused by me. I just hate using them. I think it's just gross.

Our tub keeps getting clogged, it's an older apartment, it happens. If I could, I would switch the drain for a screen. But, the stupid plug thing is in the way and I have no idea how to remove it. Because up until today, it would drain, slowly, I ignored it. Ha! I even bought some drain cleaner to help it out, I just kept forgetting to use it because it still kinda worked.

Until today. The damn thing wasn't draining at all. B was at work and I can't stand looking at dirty tub water (C had just taken a showerbath). So, I grit my teeth and had at it with our cracked plunger. It took probably a good 30 minutes to get it drained. Yuck. After it was drained, I poured the liquid drain stuff in it. It didn't drain. Frustrated, I took Lucky for a walk.

I came back and the yellow stuff was gone! Yay! So I let a little hot water go through. It drained, but slowly. I repeated the process for about 2/3 of the bottle. In the meantime, I yelled at B because stopped up drains are his area. I don't normally ask much, occasional plunging, trash taking out, heavy lifting, and cleaning of the fridge. Oh, and the checking of the dipsticks.

Well, I guess Miss Independent made her appearance tonight and showed the drain who is boss! I just hope it really worked and isn't just messing with me. That would suck.

Anything you always rely on your husband for? I used to "forget" to put gas in the car, now I just fill it every few weeks.

XOXO
Jes

Get Busy!

Yesterday was an amazing day. I could tell this morning that B was much more well rested than he has been for the past week or so. Thank god we didn't have to wait until Friday for the paper version of the second review to come out.

Now, we wait for the aftermath that a good review can bring: sales. Yesterday was a slower day, it rained like crazy and the town the restaurant is in was under a flash flood warning. Of course, they are very downhill from most of the city we live in.

Tonight is promising more business so despite having gotten some much needed good sleep last night, I have a feeling I will have one tired chef this Sunday. Just he won't be too tired to good to a Texas Rangers game..

XOXO
Jes

Review'd

At our house, the adults have been on high alert. B had not one, but 2 reviews coming out on his restaurant. These were the big guns. Like make or break a restaurant big.

Of course, I have never doubted my husband or his ability to craft amazing dishes. However, that only goes so far in his eyes. And these reviews weren't my opinion, they were from news sources. People don't read my piddly blog to find out where to eat, or read it period. (with the exception of B, hi baby!).

Anyways, the first review showed up today. We weren't sure when, just today. I even went out to find the paper. B was up checking their website every hour or so and then up at 5am to see if it was up. I was checking it every hour prior to that. He had no idea I was nervous. Finally, the first review was up. And it was good. Thank god. One down, one to go.

I got a call a bit ago, the second paper, not to be outdone by the first, released their review online. Thank god, it was great too. Now we can sleep easier.

When B first told me about the reviews, I was not nervous. I had confidence in his ability and I knew they would be good. Until he was freaking out. His boss was nervous, made him nervous and in turn, it trickled down to me. Reviews like these in our area if they are bad can close a restaurant very quickly. If his review was bad, it could have cost his job. I started thinking maybe we made a mistake, due to anxiety of the whole ordeal. I know we made the right choice, but that doubt from the shit trickles downhill affect was making me doubt myself.

I am just so glad it's over.

XOXO
Jes

Quick! Write this down!

We have to document it!

Ok, it isn't that rare. B made supper at home 2 nights in a row! Last night and tonight. Tacos and brats! Love the man!

It was the first time he has made dinner for all of us since we moved here. Yesterday, he went all out. We were going to have taco salad, but we got to El Rancho to take advantage of some great deals, a guy gave us a freshly made package of tortillas, still hot. Only $1.99! So, along with that, we got some tomatoes (romas for $.98 for 2 pounds!), Jalapeños, limes, lettuce and some of their beef for tacos. We picked up other things too, but the allure of fresh tortillas and homemade salsa was too good for us not to have tacos. B also got a couple avocados later to make homemade guacamole. My favorite.

Really, we wound up going to 3 stores after making our list and checking ads for the best deals and only spent $100 for 2 weeks worth of groceries for 3 people. Now, we didn't get cereal or milk or eggs, but those can easily be picked up (the Aldis here has milk for $1.99). So still not much more than our initial budget. The eggs will allow me to make cookies and other snacks (we have mixes on hand).

I only made one thing for our meal yesterday: jicama Slushies made from jicama Kool-Aid found at El Rancho. It was a hit! I love going there to get flavors and things you can't find anywhere else (Pineapple Kool-Aid? Mango Peach? Yes please!)

Anyone else go to special stores just for amazing items that are otherwise hard to find?

XOXO
Jes

Busy Bee

I have been busy! I decided to take matters into my own hands and clear some space in our living room. 3 boxes were donated to a guy that works with B. They had our old dishes and kitchen supplies that we don't need or use. (after buying some new stuff at ikea). 3 bags of old clothes went to another coworker. They were mostly C's too small clothes and they have 3 girls all younger than C. And a borrowed air mattress finally went back to its owner (thanks Patty!).

There are a few other changes that were made. I attempted to sand one of my frames to paint it. Didn't work out too well so I ditched that whole project. It cost me a whole $2 on a cheap Walmart frame. It looks Ok, just not what I was hoping for.

There will be more to update later. I think we will make our summer bucket list this weekend. So excited!

Compliments

B is really not one for compliments. I have to do my hair, put on makeup and something fancy just to get him to say I look nice. Nice? Whatever happened to beautiful? Ok, he does say to C "doesn't mom look pretty today?" but not directly to me, usually.

So, yesterday, he tells Lucky "don't tell mom, but I think she has this making spaghetti sauce thing down". Now, he did tell me that it was the best spaghetti I have made to date. He went further to say that I should never buy spaghetti sauce again and it's "better than Olive garden and Zio's". Yup, from a chef who has worked at high end Steakhouses, I make the best spaghetti.

Wondering my secrets? Last night, I used mild Italian sausage, I toned down the other Italian spices I usually put in but kept the garlic and onion amounts the same. I didn't want the spices to overpower you when eating with the already amped up sausage.

Want to know more? Click back a few posts to find out what I usually add to my tomato sauce.

What is something you do to illicit comments from your other half? And what is your "best" meal? Do tell!

XOXO
Jes

I hate making plans...

B, C, and I were supposed to go back to ikea tomorrow, but B got pulled into a catering event. I hate when this happens. I would love to say this doesn't happen often, but it does. Usually it's with gifts. It's April now and I still have never gotten anything for valentine's day from B.

Oh well, I guess I will get over it, eventually.

Date night? What's that?

As you can probably guess by the title, we don't get to go out often. I can't even tell you the last time B and I went out to eat. Or got dressed up and went out.

Sure, we eat out. Mainly casual places with C in tow. We enjoy it, but I wouldn't call them dates. We have never even been to a movie together and we have been together for almost 4 years.

Honestly, we haven't really been alone together in months. This morning was an exception, C left very early for a field trip. We were too tired to enjoy those few minutes though. And Lucky was with us. He has a tendency to "block" things if you know what I mean.

Yes, I totally look forward to C going to visit family this summer, we live too far away for her to visit them for the weekend. Oh well, at least I have something to look forward to.

Long Distance Marriage

I first thought that being married to a chef was hard. Now, I almost think that it could be a walk in the park. B and I have been living apart for nearly 2 months now. It's been rough.

Let me start from the beginning, except I am not sure what the beginning would be...

B and I were living our life together in my hometown. Neither of us were happy. So, we decided to move our whole family to be closer to his family. B got a job at a restaurant and we were going to rent a house from his dad. A few days before the move, a tornado hit and severely damaged the restaurant. It wasn't the only place that B had interviewed at so we moved anyways.

B got a job at a place an hour away. He commuted for 8 long months. He had had a friend courting him for a position in another state. We were finally fed up with the commute and we were making a choice: move close to his current job or make another big move. We chose to go with the familiar and the promise of a raise.

Things were going good, until his job balked on the deal. Around the same time, his friend started calling again. By this time, we had already moved and we couldn't afford to move again.

Our brilliant plan was for B to go ahead of us and we would join during C's spring break. It was brilliant, until you had to put it into action.

These past few months have made me realize that even though we aren't a conventional family, we are a family. Nothing can change that. I hope that when we are reunited, we cherish our time together more. We don't operate well without the others. Modern technology has been great. Facetime and texting have allowed us to connect, but there is something to be said about a hug or a shoulder to cry on. I have no friends here, it's hard, but my best friend is the man I married. Hold your husband close, enjoy those moments of watching him sleep, kiss him good bye, I have one more week before I get the pleasure of making my family whole again.