Tomorrow, Hal and I are having our engagement photos taken, a year and 12 days following the date we actually got engaged. We didn't procrastinate so much as life and then winter time got in the way and we finally had a chance to schedule the shoot. I'm very excited since it's been almost a year since we've seen our photographer so it will be nice to get reacquainted with the man who'll be responsible for capturing all the memories of our wedding day (no pressure). I'm also a little nervous. Truth be told, I don't love to have my photograph taken, and Hal and I aren't ones for the spotlight. So why are we doing this? Really it's to hang out with Dante (said photographer) in Fort Tryon Park (love it there) and have a collection of nice photos of the two of us (as compared the the usual ones taken with one arm outstretched where someone's head always gets cut off). It's a 9am shoot which should be interesting since neither of us is at our best in the morning, but it's going to be fun and I'm sure if Dante can't get me to smile, Hal will!
Less than 5 months before the big day. How did that happen?! Dum, dum da dum...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Stars shining bright above you
Every once in a while, usually after 9pm, I’ll look up to find Hal walking towards me, carrying my coat and shoes. As he hands them to me he says, “I need you to put these on and come with me”. His serious tone is offset by the glint in his eyes and I know exactly where we’re going.
This “stop everything” moment happened last night as I was putting together my lunch. It’s a familiar scenario as I quickly put on my jacket and boots, while Hal goes to get the binoculars. We shut off all the lights in the kitchen and he tells me to close my eyes as we head outside onto the back deck. We sit together on one of the chairs and I wait for my cue to open my eyes. “I’m just letting our eyes adjust. We’ll open them soon”, he says. Cozy and contented, I don’t really care when we open our eyes. I could probably start dozing but then Hal nudges me and I open my eyes to see a perfect crescent of the moon, so bright in the sky, surrounded by lots of stars. It’s beautiful and I’m reminded of just how much I love to stargaze, especially with Hal.
Hal lifts the binoculars to his eyes while I admire the night’s sky with my naked, nearsighted eyes.
“You can really see the dark side of the moon”, he says excitedly. I anxiously wait my turn with the binoculars, and suddenly we become excited kids discovering the solar system for the first time.
And like the sap that I am, Mama Cass’s version of “Dream a little dream of me” starts playing in my head and I begin to hum and sway as Hal moves around our porch trying to get a better view of the stars. This is pretty typical of us, me the romantic, him the explorer. But we’re both enjoying the moment together…and continue to for a little while, despite the mysterious animal that scampers out from beneath our deck.
And in your dreams, whatever they be...dream a little dream of me....
This “stop everything” moment happened last night as I was putting together my lunch. It’s a familiar scenario as I quickly put on my jacket and boots, while Hal goes to get the binoculars. We shut off all the lights in the kitchen and he tells me to close my eyes as we head outside onto the back deck. We sit together on one of the chairs and I wait for my cue to open my eyes. “I’m just letting our eyes adjust. We’ll open them soon”, he says. Cozy and contented, I don’t really care when we open our eyes. I could probably start dozing but then Hal nudges me and I open my eyes to see a perfect crescent of the moon, so bright in the sky, surrounded by lots of stars. It’s beautiful and I’m reminded of just how much I love to stargaze, especially with Hal.
Hal lifts the binoculars to his eyes while I admire the night’s sky with my naked, nearsighted eyes.
“You can really see the dark side of the moon”, he says excitedly. I anxiously wait my turn with the binoculars, and suddenly we become excited kids discovering the solar system for the first time.
And like the sap that I am, Mama Cass’s version of “Dream a little dream of me” starts playing in my head and I begin to hum and sway as Hal moves around our porch trying to get a better view of the stars. This is pretty typical of us, me the romantic, him the explorer. But we’re both enjoying the moment together…and continue to for a little while, despite the mysterious animal that scampers out from beneath our deck.
And in your dreams, whatever they be...dream a little dream of me....
Monday, April 12, 2010
A little extra something
First, some exciting news: Hal and I booked our honeymoon! We’re going on a 12 Night Mediterranean Greek Isles cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, which begins its voyage in Barcelona and goes to Provence, Florence, Rome, Athens, Ephesus, Santorini and Naples/Capri before heading back to Spain. I’m so excited!! The booking agent and I shared a woohoo once we finalized the down payment. We have a room with a balcony on the left side of the ship which will hug the coast as we travel from Barcelona to Rome. We haven’t taken an extended vacation since the summer of 2008 so I absolutely cannot wait!
Now the actual post...
I’ve come to the realization that in the past month I’ve put on the dreaded comfort weight. It’s the weight you put on when you’re feeling all nestled into a relationship and you feel comfortable enough to eat your way through a Costco bag of pita chips while he holds the container of hummus out for you. At some point in the relationship it’s inevitable, like the freshman 15. I’m kind of surprised it came 3 ½ years into our relationship.
It may also be a result of a stressful March. I don’t generally turn to food when I’m stressed (I turn to coffee), but I do take a lot of shortcuts when it comes to choosing meals. The faster the better, which generally results in the less healthy option. Or, you end up dining out more frequently in the name of convenience. Currently, I have only put on a few extra pounds but when you’re 4’10”, it feels like the freshman 15. It’s a reality no woman loves to face or really talk about, but I did, with Hal…poor Hal.
I refrained from asking him, “do you think I’m getting fat?”, and instead gave him options.
Jenn: Do you think the weight I’ve put on is due to gaining muscle or fat?
My question is met with silence. Shocking.
Jenn: I want your honest answer. It’s okay, really. I won’t be upset.
Is there an honest answer?
Hal: I think you look beautiful.
His answer does not help either of us.
After we talked about it (and Hal handled it rather sensitively and diplomatically), we chalked it up to what most weight gain is a result of: unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. In my mind, I considered more specific things that I could credit.
My love of:
Now the actual post...
I’ve come to the realization that in the past month I’ve put on the dreaded comfort weight. It’s the weight you put on when you’re feeling all nestled into a relationship and you feel comfortable enough to eat your way through a Costco bag of pita chips while he holds the container of hummus out for you. At some point in the relationship it’s inevitable, like the freshman 15. I’m kind of surprised it came 3 ½ years into our relationship.
It may also be a result of a stressful March. I don’t generally turn to food when I’m stressed (I turn to coffee), but I do take a lot of shortcuts when it comes to choosing meals. The faster the better, which generally results in the less healthy option. Or, you end up dining out more frequently in the name of convenience. Currently, I have only put on a few extra pounds but when you’re 4’10”, it feels like the freshman 15. It’s a reality no woman loves to face or really talk about, but I did, with Hal…poor Hal.
I refrained from asking him, “do you think I’m getting fat?”, and instead gave him options.
Jenn: Do you think the weight I’ve put on is due to gaining muscle or fat?
My question is met with silence. Shocking.
Jenn: I want your honest answer. It’s okay, really. I won’t be upset.
Is there an honest answer?
Hal: I think you look beautiful.
His answer does not help either of us.
After we talked about it (and Hal handled it rather sensitively and diplomatically), we chalked it up to what most weight gain is a result of: unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. In my mind, I considered more specific things that I could credit.
My love of:
- Carbs
- Dark chocolate covered pomegranates
- My couch
- Cheese
- Sleep (in lieu of exercise)
- Did I mention carbs, and I think they’re usually the complex kind
And I hate: Running on the elliptical
For me to feel better about myself and be healthy, the weight needs to go. So beginning in April, Hal and I started this new exercise regiment: P90X. The “X” is for EXTREME!!!! We’ve done a series of exercise sessions already and they range from manageable to sheer torture.
More to come on just how extreme we can get before it renders us immobile. More importantly, we'll see how much, if any, of the extra pounds it sheds in hopes of feeling less like one of those marshmallow snowballs...which sounds delicious right about now.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Hello blogging world, it's been a while.
The trade show madness is over and warm weather has arrived...life is good.
Flowers are starting to bloom which brightens everything up, and Hal and I have certainly been taking advantage of the sunshine and longer (more leisurely) days.
Flowers are starting to bloom which brightens everything up, and Hal and I have certainly been taking advantage of the sunshine and longer (more leisurely) days.
Taken during a walk around Rockland Lake as the sun was starting to set, which explains why we're being blinded. We smiled through the pain.
Trip to Fort Tryon park to scope out sites for our engagement pictures. Right before this was taken, a girl got yelled at for climbing on the rocks. Five minutes earlier and that would've been me getting reprimanded.
And with the simple touch of planting pansies, spring is making an appearance at our house too.
I love our mushroom and sleeping gnome. Just the right amount of cuteness.
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