The Boyfriend Gift

I visited my boyfriend of over two years and after maybe two minutes of being there, he says, "I got you a present. Come here."

Me? A present? Really? Awwww

He opens the closet door and there sits . . . .













A dyson slim.

Yo, I already have two dysons. And before you judge, I have two kitties. My short haired kitty actually gives off more hair than the long haired cat. Really.

And my other cat is very high anxiety and is constantly vomiting everywhere. Not to mention she sucks at going IN the litterbox.

I have the dyson ball that is FANTASTIC for a regular vacuum. And I have the hand held for those pesky food particles that both my cats spit out when they feel like it or when they decide to shed another full size cat hairball. I was able to buy the dyson ball with a bunch of gift cards (thanks family) and then the hand held was on special when I bought the ball. Bonus!

Then I go meet Saint's parents and they have this hand held dyson that is good for vacuuming all floors, except mine didn't come with the floor attachment?!?!?!?!?!? So I contact dyson (okay Saint totally did that for me) and GUESS WHAT? This is a different vacuum. Not another attachment for one of the two vacuums I own, but a completely different vacuum.

ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME?

I refused to buy another dyson. I think two is enough!!

But no, Saint bought it for me. He used a coupon with his discount and viola! See why I love him?

DYSON DO YOU HEAR ME? I OWN THREE OF YOUR VACUUMS.

I am crazy ridiculous.

I think he might have ulterior motives to giving me a vacuum?

Weekend for Lovers

I was going to have a review post for The Girl in the Steel Corset because my copy got fubar'd somehow and I wasn't able to finish it since it got stuck on page 110, but the publishers (who are totally awesome) uploaded a new file so I am going to review it, after I read all of it. Wohoo! Thanks to HarlequinTeen for responding to my email.

Instead I thought I would share my incredibly awesome weekend I just had with Saint. (yes, get the tissues) He is driving back to his home as I write this and I, alas, stay here because that is the kind of relationship we have currently. He lives over there and I live here. We live for our weekends together and were lucky enough to have a whole week together when we went to visit (and meet) his family in Louisiana last month.

He showed up on Friday where I was at the moment stuck in the office at work with my boss and co-assistant manager having a meeting. It was hard because I could hear the clock ticking away waiting to be excused so my weekend could start. But I recognize this meeting for the importance of my boss teaching us both how to "think" like store managers. I finally blew out of there and pulled up to my man in the driveway. His rental sitting in the driveway always makes me wonder what my neighbors must think when a new car is present ever couple of weeks. (snicker)

We kissed and embraced a million times til we conceded that we were both hungry. I had already planned to take him to a place I found this past couple weeks where the food was good and healthy. As we wandered in the restaurant I realized it was the first Friday of the month which meant the Art Walk was going on. Double bonus! We had dinner by the window (my favorite place to be) and watched all the people walk by. There was one couple outside sitting, eating with two dogs. The way people stopped, talked and stared, I'd have thought this was their first encounter with a dog. I mean, come on, they are eating. Or maybe that is just me?

We then wandered around downtown checking out some cool stores and grabbing a beer in a nice spot that had music coming from all sides. A bit much for the both of us, but especially Saint who had been at work that morning at 2am. I spotted the Crepes place I have been dying to try was FINALLY OPEN. So we wandered in, checked their hours and we headed home. Actually, I screamed OHHH! and then practically knocked him over trying to turn and see it.

We climbed in bed and read. This is one of my favorite things to do, though lately I fall asleep way earlier than Saint. I feel like reading together is so romantic!

In the morning Saint roused me out of bed and we ate breakfast before setting off on a small car ride to the lava caves. It is a set of caves that was made by lava flowing under ground. It is complete darkness and light must be taken to explore them. For someone as afraid of the dark as me, I was surprised when I was not only excited, but I suggested we go do this. Granted, I had no idea really what I was getting in to. (Pictures on Wordless Wednesday this week - tune in to see) We rolled down the windows and enjoyed the beautiful air and the gorgeous weather pulling up to the area after pointing out multiple places we would like to camp in the future. The caves are literally a hole in the ground. There are hundreds of large to small rocks piled up in the entrance that we had to climb down to get in. The entrance is dark and foreboding, but exhilarating as well.

We climbed right in and started hiking our way in the dark cavernous area. We had a flashlight each, though they recommend three per person, we figured out later (much later, three is probably for when one of us drops one, batteries goes dead, someone falls and dies, etc). It stays a steady 37degrees in the cave so it was cold. I made us don gloves, hats and jackets much to Saint's dismay at first (though he was glad later, lol).

I could not get over how dark it was. Clearly a place for scary things to be happening, but the reality was it was peaceful. At one point Saint, stops and asked me to turn off my flashlight - I asked, ARE YOU CRAZY? But then when I did, I was glad because it was so surreal. It was so quiet, except for our breathing, foot moving and the occasional conversation there was just nothing but silence and in a world of chaos, people and sound - we really enjoyed these moments of peace. We stopped at certain points to roll our flashlights over the walls and floors to see the reds, oranges, blues and whites that were somehow etched in. The floor was completely lava rock, some hard and flat, some platelets and others like mud. We ran in to a couple of places that had ice on the floor and water dripping through the ceiling. There were more than a few places where the ceiling was so low we had to crouch and crawl to get through. We passed one family on the way in and a handful of people on the way out.

It was beautiful and scary and completely awe inspiring.

Mental note, Saint recommended should there ever be a nuclear war that is where we will head.

An hour and fifteen minutes later, we crawled out of there with our stomachs growling only to go get . . . crepes!! I got one with bananas, chocolate and strawberries topped with walnuts and Saint got one with apples, cinnamon and chocolate. I was missing my mother greatly during crepes because this place is so quaint that I picture my mom and I there every time I walk by it. We went straight from the crepes place to a burger joint and shared a burger and fries.

We then wandered through town with our full bellies enjoying the people and the amazing weather. It is about 30degrees hotter where Saint lives (and where I used to live). This is brilliant weather.

Afterward, we got home and took a nap, though not before reading a few pages.

Saint then got a crazy idea to go buy a bbq and make some steak. Me? I just wanted to drink a beer, read and eat. I thought it was a good idea. He then threw a tantrum when while putting the bbq together one of the lug nuts fell through the slats of the patio floor. I went in and did the dishes. That is how upset I was for him!

We then settled in for the night in front of the tv to watch some episodes of True Blood season 2 which Saint had bought and brought along with him. I have read all the Sookie Stackhouse books, even the latest (check out my review) and we like the show, but neither of us has HBO anymore.

We then woke up Sunday morning to wander through the farmers market, make some lunch and we pulled down my Christmas lights (yes, I did just say that, though my dad remarked they could be July 4th lights - lol) and power sprayed the back of the house with soap and water to get rid of the cobwebs. Afterward, we drove into town to catch a mansion tour.

We then came back for one more nap and off he headed home.

It is such a blessing to have a relationship like ours. I know first hand how hard it is to be so far away from a loved one, but we are building our lives and hopefully soon we will meet in the middle somewhere and begin residing together on a daily basis. In the meantime, we both agree that we do a fantastic job of making every moment together count.

How was your weekend?

Can a girl get a haircut?

OMG I am so over this whole small town thing . . . sometimes . . . okay not really. . . but today I NEEDED a haircut. Okay, drama aside, I'd like a haircut. I am going to meet Saint's parents for the first time and I would like to look a bit more refined. (lol, I know, right?)

I waited til the last minute, of course. Sigh

I asked a local friend for her hairstylist and she hasn't been able to get an answer from her all week. So I finally give in and go driving around on a Saturday evening and guess what? The salons all close at 5pm on Saturday AND are not open Sunday or Monday. CRAP! I am meeting them Wednesday and I work all day Tuesday. I am so SOL.

Oh the bright side, I do have the most fabulously nice outfits to wear that will compliment my beau as he usually dresses nicer than me. I am a huge fan of jeans and a tee or my favorite sweatshirt. So I thought I'd show a little style. I even bought a cute little hat in case it rains or is real windy. I also got a little pedicure so my toes are up to par, though Saint swears they will not be looking at my toes. (lol)

Wish me luck!

The Sweatshirt

I found a sweatshirt at a really fun little boutique that I fancy. It has great low rise jeans, really cheap tees and tanks and occasionally I grab their yoga pants. When I saw this sweatshirt I fell deeply in love. It is skinny rather than large, so it doesn't make me look like borrowed my brother's shirt. It is so soft and the stitching is on the outside so it doesn't itch. It is cute and fun. I would love to have more, but frankly even time I think about it, I realize all I need is one. I wear it all the time. It can be worn on a cold day, on a windy day, on a day with a tank, with a tee. You name it and I can wear it. Oh how I have fallen hard for this sweatshirt . . . until one day -

One day, my boyfriend, Saint asked me, "Is that a new sweatshirt?"

I looked down at the sweatshirt, thinking how could he miss this? I love this sweatshirt. I wear it all the time. "No," I said, "I've had this for awhile."

"I know!" he said, "You wear it all the time!"

"Oh." I laughed, but secretly I really didn't care. I am going to wear what I want to wear, when I want to wear it.

And I have. I wear that damn sweatshirt most days I have off of work. He'll get used to seeing me in it. (smirk)

So we are going on vacation later in the summer and he is so excited that where we will be going it will be hot, too hot for the sweatshirt. Little does he know I get cold on planes, so I plan to take it!!

the steel toed boots

Saint works in a place where he is in charge of a team of people who unload a truck of product and then push it out to the floor, among other things. Point is he works around a lot of heavy boxes and uses major equipment. And on occasion a large flat will roll over his foot or feet and it will hurt.

His current shoes are being held together with duct tape. DUCT TAPE. Do they work? Yes, but he has rolled over his toes more than a few times. I have recommended that he gets some steel toed shoes, but he refuses. He swears they are heavy and ugly.

I found a FABULOUS deal on a pair of black steel toed boots for him for Christmas. I looked forever (about three hours) for a pair that did not have the ankle support because I was sure that was a major deal breaker. No luck. Must have the ankle if I was to have steel toes. I bought them online, so I got free shipping, a low price and a discount on top of that. Even though I wasn't sure he would love them, I thought the practicality of them would win him over. (Is that how all women think?)

When he came into town (and the boots were in transit to my place to be wrapped) we wandered through a shoe store and I pointed out the exact pair of shoes I bought him and said, SO what do you think of these? (My god, WHY do I do this to myself???)


His answer, "I would never, ever, wear those boots. They are the worst."

Hmmmm, maybe I should rethink this whole steel toed boots gift.

So what does any girl do? I called my mom and she told me to give them to him anyway. She assures me it will be fine.

So I did. I gave them to him.

I have no idea what he really thought when he opened the box and saw those most hideous boots, but he faked it well enough for me to believe he likes them. Then I retold him the story of his comment in the store. Whoops. No really, he didn't remember saying that. Haha jokes on me. I will never forget that little comment.

A week later, he really like the boots. He is shocked that they are not as heavy as he thought. In fact, he doesn't even realize the weight of them. He did have to buy socks that went above the ankle because the first day he rubbed his achilles' raw. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside to know he is happier and safer at work - even just a little bit. He even added gel insoles to add comfort.

Granted he lives in a different city than I do and could very well be lying. He is an admitted liar. In fact, and I quote, "I am good at it and therefore will continue to do it." But I have a feeling, he likes them, but I am okay with telling myself that he likes them (even if I am lying to myself).

Reverb10 - Appreciate

Reverb 10: What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

The one thing I have come to appreciate the most this past year is (and prepare for it ladies) knowing what true, healthy love really feels like.

I have been in a healthy relationship for a year and a half now and I have never felt so full and happy. To know that when I speak to Saint he will support me, validate me and still love me no matter what is such a huge relief. To know that he appreciates how I love him and sees the true me is amazing. To know that he and I both become better people being together is wonderful and fulfilling. To think that I could have this in my life for the next seventy years is remarkable and would be unbelievable had I not lived it.

If something were to ever happen, the love I have come to know and live with, would comfort me because it is possible to be with someone and not fight continuously, not have to work to defend myself, to know responsibility doesn't just lie on the shoulder of one, but both. And the list goes on. Having come from a bad relationship makes the awareness that much more.

I express gratitude for this love by making sure I respect, never take for granted, put him in my thoughts when making decisions, appreciate and apologize, but most importantly to communicate to him without fear how I REALLY feel and think, to ask for what I need, so that without a doubt we are always on the same page regardless.

My Saint is coming

I haven't seen Saint since I left on Saturday. He made a guest appearance during his lunch hour at work to come back to the apartment and say goodbye since I was still asleep when he left. Very sweet.

I miss him. It feels like weeks since I have seen him. It is a given since we were living together and now we live in different cities.

I didn't think I'd get to see him til Christmas, but I think I guilted him in to coming out this weekend. (whoops) But I don't really care because I really, really miss him.

I woke up this morning thinking I get to see him in tomorrow!!! So excited. I can't wait. Sadly I have to work while he is here, but he doesn't seem to mind. He has a bunch of things to do on his honey-do list. lol Poor guy.

PINT - learning and living together

bonding

Saint took care of my kitties while I was away for the weekend.

He fed them, cleaned out the litter boxes and just basically made sure they stayed alive. Very simple task.

Apparently Izabel decided to make him work for it.

I am sitting on the couch, just got home a couple of hours ago. Izabel is sitting next to me relishing in the fact that I am back. She is very needy.

Saint walks in and greets me only to look down and spot Izabel. He says, "hey shithead." It was smothered in disgust.

She shit on the floor everyday I was gone.

(smothering my laughter here)

He had to clean it up. Every day.

the morning argument

Saint and I have been having this little thing about his alarms. Yes, that is plural - alarms.

He goes to work every morning around 330am. Sometimes earlier and sometimes later.

When we sleep at my place, I don't know that I even wake up when he leaves. Though he is so sweet to wake me up to say goodbye. Really, this is the most romantic thing. Sadly, I do this weird air kisses because my brain won't quite wake up. But I know when I wake up later that he said bye. Love it.

When we sleep at his place, I am awake before his alarm goes off. If not, I wake up after the first - slightly. Probably just enough to really wake up after the second. By the fourth, I am full blown awake and really want to just kick his ass out of bed so he falls on the floor. And then I imagine I would beat him with his two phones which contain the hateful alarms. I hate it!!

His alarms go off for a half hour. So starting around 230am, his alarms go off til after 3am. Then I am awake while he gets ready. Then I get up and get dressed so I can drive home and fall back asleep. I am way too awake to go back to sleep after all this. I lose about two hours when I sleep at his place.

I was telling him last night how funny love is. In the beginning, I would/could sleep anywhere, in any position with him. Now, over a year later, I can't even sleep in his bed well. There are many reasons for this -

• he keeps his room door closed and the air is stagnant; it reeks of stale air
  
• the temperature in his place is warmer than mine, considerably (I am guessing they do this so girls will take off their clothes when they come over - lol)
  
• I don't have my body pillow at his place (a serious comfort thing for me)
  
• mentally I know that it is not my place and therefore I don't know that I completely ever fall into a fitful sleep
• I do not like sleeping at his place when I am alone; I sleep a bit better (or maybe have a better chance of sleeping) when his roommate is home because I feel more protected (not that anything will happen) once he leaves for work
  

The argument we have goes a bit like this -

• Six alarms went off this morning.
• No, I only have four alarms.
• I am telling you, I was awake for all six. I counted. I think you are hitting snooze.
• I don't hit snooze.
• Well then somehow you have more than four alarms.
• No, I really don't. I have four alarms set. Do you want me to show you?

And then it goes into the classes silence because I am not stupid and I watch him check his four alarms every night (OCD much? Oddly I find this attractive). Plus I know what he thinks, but the fact is he is not awake for the actual alarms going off. So his perception is way different. Not to mention, he is a scientist through and through. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck ---- seriously NO ONE will be able to tell him different.

To be completely honest, this really doesn't bother me. The whole alarm thing.

I am not a morning person and when I wake up - scratch that - when I get woken up and I don't feel like I slept well I AM CRANKY. I wake up and lay there waiting for him to get up and get ready so I can get up and go home to resume my sleep. It sucks. It is a long time to lay there wishing I was sleeping. It kinda pisses me off. I don't know why. Could it be, the man hits those damn alarms for over 30 minutes without caring that I am WIDE AWAKE? Maybe it's the fact that he can hit the alarm and fall instantly back to sleep whereas I take time to fall asleep.
One morning, I texted him after I woke up (officially) while he was at work and asked him if he still loved me after I argued with him til he was blue in the face. I feel bad that I provoke him and bicker with him, but I swear I am on autopilot. At three am, I pretty much do not have any control over my emotions.

His response, "It's okay. I am used to you in the morning."

Crap, HE HAS TO GET USED TO ME? Ugh, that isn't good. Definitely not a compliment.

Yet, I still don't seem to be able to let it go. This morning I literally woke up and laid there waiting to execute my line of "six alarms." Like a murderer plotting.

I am hateful in the morning. And apparently have no remorse until after 8am.

the slumber

I was sleeping this morning. Really sleeping. You know, when I could wake up. I know what is going on around me, but I can't seem to wake my brain. Instead, I go back to into my wonderful slumber.

I can feel Saint moving beside me.

I think, I hope he can get up and entertain himself. I do not want to wake yet.

I fall back into sleep.

Awhile later, I feel his hand on my leg and then he holds my hand.

How sweet, I think. But fall back to sleep.

Next I know, I hear him sigh. Deeply.

Shit, I know what that means. I force myself to wake up.

I stretch. I foll around. I rub my eyes. I drink some of my water. I get up and use the restroom. I brush my teeth.

I come out and -

Saint is passed out in bed.

For a half a second, I want to kill him. Ass.

I wake up and he falls asleep.

Then I realize my fortune. Free time. Alone time.

But he's still an ass.

the visitor

Saint's house mate's mother is in town. For the next two days. Because of this, he has asked to spend those days with me that way Montana can sleep in his room and Montana's mom can sleep in Montana's room. Following?

Ok so this was four days ago.

On the third day, Saint asked if he could stay longer. He sounded very nervous like I was gonna say no. Honestly, how could I?

He stayed for eight days.

I loved every minute of it.

I loved that he fed my cats for me. Without asking. I love that I came home and he was there. I love going to bed together. I love waking up together. I love having a strong, man in my home. I love that he thought of dinner a few nights and I didn't have to even say anything. I love that his flip flops were on the floor by the door. I love that he walks in and gives me a kiss. I love that he wakes me up before he leaves for work and tells me goodbye. I love being comfortable AND having the one I love there.

It was bliss.

Seriously, I think we probably make other people sick because even when we fight it's lovingly. Shit, I'm gagging just a bit, writing this.

One day we were walking in and I kicked off my shoes under the dining room table. Which I do every time I walk in the door. I looked down and was shocked to see two other pairs of shoes there. "Hmm," I said, "I should take these in the bedroom and put them away." Saint says, "Why not wait til their are eight pairs?" What an ass. And I told him so. Even though I laughed.

My god, how did I ever live without this.

And just between you and me, I had a dream that he proposed. Ugh. Now what?

This is getting serious.

What happiness feels like

I just love evenings like this.

Saint and I sitting here. Doing nothing. He watches tv. Right now it's some cop show. He is a bit obsessed with any kind of puzzle. He is working on finding a job as a fingerprint lab tech. Pretty cool. I am very impressed.

Tonight was cheese steak night. At our local sandwich shop. It's buy one, get one free. They are oh so good. Mine was meat and spaghetti sauce in this wonderful toasted hoagie. I think Saint had his usual - steak and cheese whiz stuff. Interesting, that's all I have to say about his. (cheese whiz, really?)

Then because Saint is always donating blood, he had a new coupon for a free pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream. YUM! I got to pick the flavor - snickers. Double yum!

Usually I read or play on my laptop. Though last night was good tv night with Two and a half men and Big Bang Theory. When we get up we tend to kiss each other. Or the occasional leg rub or arm pat. It's sweet. It feels like it should. This is what love feels like.

Happy. Peaceful. Easy.

Tonight, I'm sitting on the couch and he is resting against it on the floor. He really should turn in for bed, seeing how he has to be to work at 3:30am. Ugh. It's always so early. I think I am getting used to his schedule because I am usually awake for a bit after he leaves for work. I love that he wakes me up to say goodbye. Very sweet and touch romantic. He doesn't get ready in the dark, but does keep his stuff in the bathroom. Though he is such an expert at getting ready without me hearing anything.

Me? I can't sneak into my own place without making a ruckus. I always forget to do the things that will help make less noise. Things like fill up the humidifier. Put my pjs in the bathroom so I don't have to search for them. Then again, I can run into a chair with the lights on.

Sigh.

This is what happiness feels like.

Finally finished puzzle

Came home the other night and Saint informed me that I would have to finish the puzzle.

Me: WHAT?? I can't finish by myself.

Saint: (chuckle chuckle)

Me: Wait a minute!! How much of it did you do?

Saint: (chuckle) I left about eight pieces for you. You should be able to do it. Finish it tomorrow.

Me: No way!! Really? You did it without that one puzzle piece we are missing?

Saint: I found the piece right on the tile by the front door. I actually didn't realize how much I had finished til I looked up.

Me: WHAT? You're kidding me?! That is so cool.
I was instantly relieved because now I can feel that accomplishment of finishing the puzzle we have been working on for a week.


The very next morning we got up and finished it in a few minutes.

YEAH!!
I am so very in love with this man.

explain the hostage WW pic

If you have seen WW pic then you will be looking for an explanation.

I received an email the other day from Saint

Subject line: Warning!!

I scrolled down and read the following

meet me for cheese steak night or the hair clip gets it!

Saint and I have a standing date night (of sorts) where we go and enjoy the awesomely gooey good Cheese steak sandwiches and fries. They're buy one, get one half price which makes it even better. Not to mention it hasn't happened in awhile because I have been sick.

Irony is that after that amusing email, I ended up going home and falling asleep waking up too late to really go out. I sent Saint a text telling him so. He texted me back that the hairclip would have to get it because otherwise it will give the toothbrush and phone charger the wrong idea. I then replied that I would be willing to substitute the hairclip hostage for the toothbrush because I really need that hairclip, but not a big fan of the toothbrush. (seriously it's kind of a crappy brush)

We're just silly like this