Love Story

Today's post is part 2 of a three part blog party hosted by Kim. In case you missed it you can read part one here. In part 2 we are supposed to tell the story of our proposal and let me just say up front that contrary to what my hubs likes to tell people I did not ask him to marry me.

I'd love to read your story too so spill it then link up at Kimberly's Korner for all the world to see. Here's mine-

As you may recall, ahem, my birthday is in September. Hubs and I had been dating about four years off and on but the last couple of years we were just on, no off. We had talked about marriage so you can imagine my excitement when he handed me my birthday gift and it appeared to be a ring box. You can also imagine my surprise when I opened it only to discover it was not an engagement ring. At least I was pretty sure it wasn't (it wasn't). It was in fact a beautiful ring that I did not appreciate in that moment because hello, I was expecting a diamond. What I got instead was his grandmothers topaz that he'd had a jeweler set into a pretty band for me. Nice birthday present but oh the disappointment. Yes I was disappointed to get a beautiful topaz instead of a diamond engagement ring. And I'm pretty sure only a 23 year old girl would say that.

We were living two hours apart at this point because he had taken a job in Knoxville so we only saw each other on weekends for the last few months we dated. Christmas was approaching and I was going home to NJ for the holidays. Our plan was to have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants before I left. We walked into the restaurant and were seated and then he immediately excused himself to go to the men's room which I thought was kind of annoying since the drive from his apt. had taken literally five minutes. Whatever. He returned to our table and we proceeded to look at the menu. I noticed a waitress working her way down the aisle carrying a tray with two glasses of champagne and a beautifully wrapped box with a balloon tied to the ribbon. I commented on this and said, 'Oh look, someone must be having a birthday.' My skills of observation are impressive, yes? Even when she stopped at our table it did not compute. There stood the waitress with her tray and champagne and the pretty box and a big beaming smile. There sat the future hubs kinda smiling, kinda sweating, and I think kinda not believing he was going to need to spell this out for me. And all around us sat our fellow diners who had quickly put it all together and had quieted down and were waiting for me to have the appropriate reaction. And I finally look at the waitress and say, "Oh this is for me?"

Ding Ding Ding...bells rang in my head, lights flashed, suddenly it all made sense. I snatched up that box and tore it open. He popped the question, I said yes and the rest, as they say, is history.

Oh, wait, the ring. I didn't pick it out and I don't even remember having a lot of conversation about what style I preferred. Hubs has always had excellent taste in jewelry which is one of the reasons I married him. Kidding! But I'm serious about his good taste. The ring was perfect and I loved it. Still do. Several years ago the diamond came out of the setting and hubs had it reset into a nicer band that I loved even more than the original.

Flash forward to today and if you read here, well, you know where that ring sits now. Right beside my wedding band which is also not on my finger but rather is resting in pieces in a hospital issued envelope. Rest assured we're still married but I had a bit of a mishap recently and my rings had to be cut off and are still awaiting repair.

Sometimes I'm a lot of trouble.

Hubs would not disagree.

When Harry met Sally

Kim is having a fun little 3-part blog thing this week and I'm playing along but have adapted the timetable just a smidge. Smidge. Is that word still in use? I'm pretty sure my kids won't like it. Anyway, Monday was part 1 and Kim asked people to tell how they met their significant other. She also asked how you knew he/she was 'the one'. I missed that post so I'm telling our story today.

Hubs and I met many years ago. Feels like a lifetime. Well, half a lifetime anyway. We were students at the same university in a small Tennessee town. He was a preppy Southern boy and I was that Yankee girl. If you weren't watching Saturday Night Live back in the late 70s and early 80's you won't appreciate this but SNL used to have a skit back then where Joe Piscopo would say, "You're from Jersey? I'm from Jersey! What exit?" I wish I had a nickel for every time someone at uni asked me that question and then laughed hysterically at their clever self.

It was Exit 4 by the way. If you were from NJ of course you knew 'what exit'.

Back to me and the hubs. He loves to tell people that we had a history class together at the beginning of our sophomore year and his roommate was also in the class and they thought I was pretty and they also thought I was unfriendly. Except they didn't use that word. ahem. Here's the thing-my roommate was also in that class so she and I walked in together talking the whole time, sat together talking the whole time, and left together talking the whole time. I was not unfriendly.

I was in a sorority and hubs was in a fraternity so our paths crossed every so often at events and parties. Mostly everyone knew hubs because that's just how he has always rolled. I thought he was cute and a little bit mischievous and his sense of fun and the way he grabbed at life appealed to this rule follower. Alas, he had a girlfriend at the time so that was that. In the spring of our sophomore year one of my best friends was dating one of his best friends and they orchestrated an introduction after he and the girlfriend broke up. We went on our first date soon after. I guess I might mention here that hubs had a broken hand and a black eye when we went out the first time. You know that saying about 'wild oats'? Yeah. Let's just say he sowed a few and we'll move on along.

We dated and met the families and made lots of memories and had a lot of fun. We graduated and got jobs and lived in our own apartments in separate towns for about a year and still we stuck. He also likes to tell people about the night I asked him to marry me. Right. We're sharing proposal stories in part 2 so you'll have to tune in tomorrow to hear the real 411.

How did I know he was 'the one'...I'm not sure. The first year and a half we dated we were very much on again off again. I think 21 year old boys need space in their lives to grow up and work out some things before they settle down. And I gave him that space. I think we complimented one another in that he loosened me up and I calmed him down. And while in some ways our approach to life was opposite we held similar beliefs when it came to the really important matters of the heart and the future and family and life.

Oh, and did I mention he was fun?

Why not visit Kim and tell your story too?

Thanks Johnny Appleseed

As I've said before we live 'out in the country' and there are many farms and orchards nearby. Since daughter2 was home we decided to spend our Saturday apple picking at one that sits very near the NJ/NY state border.

It was cool and breezy when we left the house and the sky was full of the kind of clouds that let you know fall is in the air...

The sun broke thru midway into our day and it turned out to be a gorgeous Saturday.

Question for you...how many of you would have brought your purse along on a trip to the orchard?

Because I brought my purse along and my hubs thought this was crazy.

I take my purse pretty much everywhere.

It would be like leaving an arm behind.

He doesn't get that.

I reluctantly locked it in the car which is something I never do because hey, I'm a city girl and I know that's just asking for trouble, but we were out in the middle of podunkville so I wasn't too worried.

A little worried because that's how I roll,

but not too worried.

We checked in and collected our bags and our grabber, and we're experts at watching for woodchuck holes so no worries there.

Remember, this guy?

Who lives in my rock wall?

With his family and friends?

Anyway, I'm not sure if there is an official name for the tool they gave us but if not it should definitely be called the grabber.

Hubs would not let me hold it on the ride out in the hay wagon for fear I would injure someone.

My skill in handling sharp instruments is well known I'm afraid.

This orchard has over fifty acres of apple trees of every type and variety.

The trees were loaded and we could pick to our hearts content.

We wondered about all that are on the ground and are guessing the wildlife around here have a field day once the farmers close up shop for the day.

The whole afternoon just made my heart happy.

The setting could not have been any prettier...

nor the company any sweeter...

Once we'd gathered our loot we headed for home and

Betty Crocker got right to work creating a delicious apple streusel pie for dinner.

She and I had such a nice time cooking side by side ...

sipping warm cider in some of our favorite mugs...

laughing and talking and just being together.

It's the memory of a breezy fall day spent in an apple orchard,

warm home baked pie,

and the chatter of a daughter,

that tell me the kitchen is truly the heart of the home.

Where the heart is

When one of my girls has been home for a visit I always have a hard time getting back in the groove.

Today has been no different.

I have a million things to say but the words, they just swirl.

My youngest daughter has been home for a few days of fall break and you know something I've realized about young adult children?

About five minutes after they're back in the house it feels like they never left.

I hear her turning on the shower and see her purse on the counter.

I watch her petting the dog and see her pouring a glass of juice from the frig.

I hear music floating from the piano and I register the familiar ringing of her cell phone.

I see her sitting across the table at dinner and lounging in her jammies on the couch at night.

And when I walk into her room in the morning and she is tucked in sweetly sleeping it does not feel the least bit odd.

Home.

That word packs a whole lotta punch doesn't it?

Show Time!

I 'borrowed' this from a friend's facebook page (Hi Mike!) and it sounded like a fun thing to do here on a Friday when Daughter2 is home for fall break and there are stores to be shopped and conversations to be had and minutes to enjoy. If you've stopped in today from Follow Friday then welcome to this side of the pond... have a look around and leave me a comment so I can visit you back.

Okay, here are the 'rules'- Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen movies you've seen that will stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. I'd love to see your list too...you can post it on your blog or in the comments here or on facebook.

Here's mine-and you know that normally I'd feel compelled to write a note of explanation by each entry but did I mention Daughter2 is home for the weekend?

1. The Sound of Music
2. Love Actually
3. The Rookie (with Dennis Quaid)
4. The Parent Trap (oh Lindsey Lohan you make me sad)
5. Gone with the Wind
6. The Little Mermaid
7. North by Northwest
8. E.T.
9. The Bourne Trilogy (yeah, I know that's three)
10. Father of the Bride
11. Apollo 13
12. A Christmas Story
13. The Hiding Place
14. Hoosiers
15. The Breakfast Club

Have a great weekend everyone!

Guess who's coming to dinner and a random eleven

Wow-have you been watching the Chilean miner rescue? Incredible!

Daughter2 is coming home this evening and I'm a teensy bit excited. I'm making her favorite dinner (chicken divan) and will try hard not to overwhelm her with me. She's in school in the South and is in for a real treat with the colors of fall around here. The East Coast is definitely the place to be this time of year.

And, since today is Wednesday its time to play along with the Random Dozen. Don't let the fact that there is no #4 this week keep you from playing too....just answer the questions on your own blog then click on the donuts to link back to the whole big gang.

1. Is there a word which you initially mispronounced? Were the circumstances in which you made the faux pas embarrassing?

I really can't think of one but I do know when I was a little girl I liked to use the word amn't which isn't really a word but was my own contracted form of am not. Pretty sure it drove my mom nuts. My oldest daughter used to say concreke in place of concrete. We thought it was oh so cute and never corrected her. Then one day she was in the car with a friend and used the word and the friend corrected her and they got into a heated debate about who was right and I had to fess up. She laughs about it now but on that day her ten year old self was not amused. I know. I waited a little long to correct but how many times do you actually use that word anyway?

2. How do you feel about the use of texting shortcuts and trends? (ex: " Ive got ur notes. Get them 2 u 2morrow.")

Some of its okay but I'm kind of a punctuation freak. It's hard for me to let go of the punctuation. I'm using more shortcuts all the time although I've been instructed by my kids to never use lol. In text or in real life conversation.

Of texting in general I'm a huge fan. Call your young adult daughter and get no answer? Why, just send a text...you'll have an instant reply.

3. Tell me about your high school senior picture. Feel free to post.

Well, there really is not much to tell except to say that my hair was uncharacteristically short.

I always always had long hair, but in a fit of Dorothy Hamill wannabe- ness I cut it short my Junior year of high school. Coincidentally, it was right about the time our senior portraits were taken. I promptly grew it out again.

5. Share a high school or college homecoming memory.

When we first left uni we managed to get back for homecoming several times. Then life and distance happened. Last year my hubs fraternity was also celebrating an anniversary and we were bound and determined to get there. So many of our closest college friends made the effort too and I wrote about it here. Super fun!

6. Linda at Mocha with Linda wants to know: "Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?"

Almost too hard to choose-I love them both. I'm a morning person and often see the sunrise. I love the promise of a new day...love the quiet and the beauty and the stillness of early morning.

That being said, a sunset on the water is probably one of my favorite things in this world. This was taken a few years ago on the back of our boat...the color of the sky looks absolutely painted. And I guess it was.

7. Lea at CiCi's corner asks, "What is something you have not done that you desire to do?"

Have something published.

Be a grandma.

Travel much more of this world.

8. Carol at Wanderings of the Elusive Mind ponders, 'If you could come back (in another life) as an animal, what would it be?"

This one's a no-brainer...a dog.

What a life!

9. Joyce (that's me) asks, "Where were you 10 years ago?" Please feel free to elaborate more than just your physical location.

Ten years ago I had just turned 40 and didn't know how good I had it when it came to-

weight

eyesight

natural hair color

memory

hormones

a lot of things

We were living in Maryland (Annapolis area) and my girlies were in the fifth and seventh grades. I was working as the Director of a lovely little school and loved my job, our house, our boat, our neighborhood, our church and our life. I didn't think I needed shaking up or waking up but God in His infinite wisdom knows best and three years later we kissed that life goodbye and moved to England.

10. When you are proven to be correct in any contentious situation do you gloat?

I don't think so. I hope not.

11. What is your favorite food which includes the ingredient "caramel"?

I make an apple cake with a caramel glaze that is delicious.

12. From Lid's seventeen year old daughter (who is cute and clever), "If you could be part of any fictional family, which family would you choose and why?"

I mentioned here a few times that my favorite book ever is Anne of Green Gables. I'd like to be part of the Barry family...then Anne could be my best friend.

Stuff that bugs and stuff that doesn't and also just some regular stuff

Last week a question was asked on a blog I read and it was this, "If you had a theme song that played every time you walked into a room what would it be?"

I spent way too much time thinking about this and

still couldn't come up with a satisfactory answer.

A few days ago hubs and I watched a rerun of a favorite old program and I suddenly remembered that I want this one...

Best.theme.song.ever.

Who else out there always wanted to stand in the middle of a city street and twirl while tossing a beret up in the air?

Watching the old Mary Tyler Moore show reminded me of two fashion accessories from the 1970s which I hadn't thought about since, oh, the 1970's.

One was the crocheted hair bun holder.

Which is fine if you're a ballerina but not so great if you're a 13 year old girl with braces.

I couldn't even find an image online to show you but the descriptions all seem to include the words, 'looks much like a hackie sack for hair'.

Sounds darling doesn't it?

The other accessory I was reminded of was the choker.

Oh how I loved a velvet ribbon round the neck.

And if it had a little charm or pendant hanging from it so much the better.

The seventies.

I heart them.

In other news, I've taken note of a few things recently that I find annoying and I thought I'd share them with you here today.

Let's call it Stuff that bugs...

1. Because I've reached a certain age, ahem, my doc recommends I add a calcium and Vitamin D tab to my diet.
What in the world is up with the size of the calcium tablet???

Are they kidding?

I told my hubs he better brush up on the Heimlich because he may be called into action some morning.

2. Why do television chefs feel the need to take gargantuan bites when sampling their creations?

Then they want to tell us how good it is while they're still eating.

Ewww.

3. What is up with networks running animated ads along the bottom half of the screen over top of the show I'm currently watching?

I thought that's what the commercial breaks were for Mr. TV Executive.

4. Speaking of annoying and television...I've decided my hubs spends most of his tv viewing time on the tv guide channel with the program we're watching in the little tiny box up in the corner.

Seriously...let's just watch something.

Anything.

And, since I don't like to be a Negative Nellie, here are a few things I'm lovin' right now...

1. The Philadelphia Phillies.

They're on fire!

2. Secretariat.

The movie.

I absolutely loved it.

A fantastic heartwarming story.

3. My dog is ridiculously cute.

4. Fall flowers on the deck.

5. Daughter2

Well I love Daughters 1 and 2 equally but Daughter2 is coming home tomorrow.

Insert happy dance here.

Daughter1 will be staying behind, hard at work at her full time job.

Which I also love.

A lot.

Daughter2 is a student so she has a few days off for fall break.

We have plans which include-

sleeping

shopping

apple picking

baking

talking

My plans may be heavy on the talking.

Her plans will be heavy on the sleeping.

And you know what?

I don't even care.

She can sleep.

And I can watch her sleep.

Remember when your children were babies...

you'd go into their rooms and stand over their beds and just watch them sleep?

And remember how you felt completely and utterly content?

Yeah.

Well grown up college girls sleeping sweetly in their own beds at home?

You need to know they inspire a similar feeling.