Aging.

I hate to admit it, but I am getting older. The problem is that I still mentally feel like a 20 year-old but my body is not keeping up like it used to. A good night's sleep eludes me because I'm waking up to pee. To PEE!!! That's something that happens to senior citizens!! My wise 17 year-old told me to stop drinking wine at night and that would fix my problem....ah! She's probably right, but I certainly won't tell her that! So, I've been up since 5:15 this morning. It hasn't been bad, actually; I've done homework, laundry and now I'm blogging...maybe sleep is just a time-waster? I'll let you know around 1 pm today when I am dying for a nap!!

Last night my husband and I had an amusing conversation about ourselves that was really quite enlightening. I started talking about breeding the dog.....she's about to go into another heat cycle and she's 3 yrs old next week so now is the time if we are going to do it.....and he said, "So, you're going to be a dog breeder, keep a puppy, sell jewellery and work in the OR?" All I could do is laugh! He's so got me pegged!! We are such polar opposites when it comes to some stuff.....and while I'm out with my head in the clouds, he gently reaches up and yanks me back down. And when he can't get his feet off the ground, I reach down and yank him up to the clouds. I love how much we need each other but for totally different reasons.

So, I guess if getting older means getting to know yourselves and accepting each other I'll take it. I just wish it would come with a good night's sleep.

Love Letters.

I've always known that I married the perfect man. He's funny, he's smart (and full of useless information), he's beautiful inside and out....he is very sensitive to my needs and he's totally committed to our marriage and our family. My man works HARD to give us the wonderful lives we have and my love, respect and admiration for him is endless. After 9 years together, I really didn't think he could surprise me.....until the LOVE LETTER.

Yesterday, Eric left for Ireland. I was skating with the kids at a party and he came to watch them for a few minutes before he had to catch his flight. We waved to each other, blew kisses, and I watched him walk away. I was sad, but I'm getting used to this now. Last night, as I sat alone (the kids were asleep) I thought about how much I missed him. I really did look forward to a night alone but once I was (finally!) alone I only felt like something was missing. So, I went to bed.

As I reached out to fix my pillow, I felt a piece of paper. I chuckled and thought one of the kids left me a "treat". So I turned the light back on and felt my heart jump when I read what was in my hand. On the outside it said, "Open me xxoo" in red ink with a heart. So I did....and I was so overcome that I just began bawling! It was the sweetest most perfect gesture a man could ever make....... a love letter. I'm not going to reveal the contents of the letter (SOME things have to be kept private!) but suffice it to say that my husband reached a new level of "perfect" last night. And I ask you.......after 9 years together, what else could a girl wish for?

Today I lose my husband.

Argh! I'm really starting to hate Ireland! Today Eric's going for another week of work in "Bad Luck Ireland". I call it bad luck because for me it is.....the last time he worked over there for a week, he came back and disappeared for a month! I mean, even though he was at home Ireland and all it's demands STOLE my husband!

I'm trying to find that single-mother headspace before he leaves...the one where I accept how little sleep I'll get because Sam will wake me up all night to tell me about his dreams. The one where I'll have to find a way to make sure the teens get home safely while I've got little ones asleep in bed. The one where I'll have to deal with Jewel and her potty schedule all by myself.

BUT-

It's not all bad!

While we're on our own we eat alphagetti's for supper and I may not even get out of my jammies if I can avoid it. We'll turn up the music loud and the kids will bang on the piano and guitar (Eric can't tolerate excessive noise). Also, my mom's coming for a day or two to decorate the house for Christmas!

So......while I'll miss my husband dreadfully, I also look forward to a week of just me and my offspring......but I'll be the first one in line to kiss him and hug him when he gets back.