Confession

So, I'm a self-proclaimed celebrity gossip junky. I've never denied that. I mean, it IS number one in my "Interests" on my Facebook profile, if that tells you anything. And that stuff never lies.

But lately (basically ever since I took over the household budget), I've been making a conscious effort to cut back on my addiction. I used to love few things more than tearing through the newest InTouch, People, Us Weekly, etc. It really didn't matter as long as the results were there. However, since I've become the budget master (also self-proclaimed), I've been trying to save us some money. And I take my job very seriously. This has involved some sacrifices and self-restraint. Two things that aren't necessarily my strongest selling points.

So, I've drastically cut back on my trash mag purchases. Like, to none. At all. Unless I'm on a plane, because they just don't count then, and I'm mean, what else are you going to do when you're trapped on a plane for hours on end. Don't judge me. Anyway, I've recently discovered a new way to get my fix, and that is where my confession comes in.

Now, when I'm at the grocery store and I'm not in a huge hurry, I'll pick a line with just a few more customers or maybe a line with just one person whose basket is slightly more full than the person in the aisle over, and I'll get behind them. You see, this usually allows me just enough time to browse my favorite pubs without actually having to purchase them. In fact, the other day, I found myself disappointed when I actually had to go up to a register with no other people in line. But I had already made eye contact with the checker, so there was really no turning back.

I know, I know. You're thinking I have too much time on my hands, and maybe I do. But at least I'm not spending money! However, you better believe I'll be loading up on the goods before we take off to head to Little Rock tomorrow!

That's right, we're headed to the Rock this weekend for another wedding. Should be lots of fun! I'll post some pictures when we get back. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Slowly, but Surely

Despite having moved to Florida almost seven months ago, we are still getting settled in to our house here. I definitely don't have a "decorator's eye," so this sort of thing doesn't really come easily to me, but I'm trying my hardest. Which is why when we were at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago, and I saw this set of pictures that I really liked (on sale, nonetheless!), I decided I'd give them a try. I'd been looking for a couple of pictures to put above the tub in my bathroom. There is this huge blank wall above the tube, and I wanted to add some color in there.

On a side note, after we left TJ Maxx we were on our way to meet up with some friends, and upon showing them the pictures, I was met with great approval. I also received the comment, "Oh, those totally look like you!" which I was assured was a compliment...but given my lack of decorating abilities, I'm not so sure.

Pretty much ever since we bought the pictures, we've been traveling nonstop, so this was the first real opportunity we had to finally hang them. So, I had to take a couple of pictures and share them with you. I think I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out. I need some more stuff in there - and in other parts of the house, too - but, we're getting there! So, seriously, we need some more visitors! Just remember, it's getting ready to get cold where you are, but not here on the Treasure Coast. :)

Sick Baby...err, Husband

Disclaimer: I love my husband very much. And what you'll find written below is nothing he isn't aware of or anything I wouldn't say to his face. Just thought I'd get that out there. Enjoy!

This has been an interesting week around the Acosta house. Starting last weekend, Herschel began to feel like he was coming down with something. I had already had my round with the head and chest congestion stuff that has been going around, and I was just beginning to think he was in the clear, when it got him. I realize that simply by thinking that, I am the reason he got sick. But, I digress.

As I was saying, Herschel started feeling bad last weekend. Did I mention that we took another quick trip last weekend?? Oh yes, that's right. We went across the state to Fort Myers, Florida, for a convention for our church. So, by the time we got back home on Saturday evening, he was quickly approaching the point of being miserable.

Like a champ, he taught Sunday School, but then quickly went downhill. This led to him going into work on Monday morning for about an hour before heading to the doctor. By the time he got home from the doctor, something incredible had happened. The strong, independent, man that I married had somehow been unmistakeably replaced by a helpless, borderline whiny, sick baby.

As soon as he walked in the house he came into the kitchen where I happened to be, and stood there, put on his most pathetic face and whimpered (I'm not exaggerating) "I'm hungry." I was so stunned at this transformation, that I just turned and looked at him, almost speechless. I guess he took my confusion for annoyance or defiance, to which he tried to defend his original statement with an equally sad sounding whimper of "But I didn't eat any breakfast!!"

This was only Monday, so I couldn't help but laugh. And being the good wife that I am, I promptly went to the store and got him some groceries and made him some vegetable soup.

I apparently took such good care of him on Monday that he decided to spend the rest of the week at home. I know, lucky me. If only I'd known, I would've started out slowly with something like toast and a sprite and then worked my way up to homemade soup.

Since we don't have any kids yet, I can't say for sure, but I felt like having a sick husband this week prepared me (only slightly) for having a sick baby. Helpless, check. Needing lots of special attention, check. Slightly whiny, check. Lack of sleep, oh yes.

In fact, it was the last item that just about did me in. Anyone who has been close by when Herschel blows his nose when he's not sick realizes that he has sinus issues. It is only amplified when he is sick, but add to it some of the loudest coughing, hacking, and throat clearing noises you've ever heard, and you'll know what I've woken up to several times a night and every morning for the last week. In fact, I was so tired that I didn't even realize that I would wake up, grab his pillow or whatever was closest to me, place it over my head, and fall back asleep until he came back to bed and removed it from my head.

So, you will understand my excitement when I woke up this morning to silence. It was absolutely beautiful. I just laid there. It was a day I wasn't sure would ever come again. To be sure, he's definitely still sniffing and snorting, he just graciously postponed it ever so slightly until I woke up this morning. But I'll take it any way I can get it.

I am exceedingly happy for a variety of reasons to report that my husband is on the mend, and I am beginning to see him transform back into his old self. But one of the most interesting things to come of all of this came on Monday night. I was doing a Pampered Chef party at a lady's house and I mentioned that my husband was sick, and without missing a beat, every single woman there groaned in unison, and uttered some form of "Aren't they pathetic when they get sick? They are just like children? Good luck!" I guess it doesn't matter how old they get, men will always turn into babies when they get sick.

Thankful

It seems like I've heard a lot more bad news than good in the past few weeks and months, even in the past few days. And it's easy to have a full and heavy heart in the midst of all of this. But this morning I had to just stop, and realize that I can't help but be thankful. You see, we have a loving Heavenly Father who is bigger than any problem or trial we might ever face. And He is willing to take on all of our problems, cares and concerns, if only we will let Him. He offers undeniable, unfathomable, incomprehensible peace in the midst of chaos. And for that, I am so thankful. I hope others can take refuge in that truth regardless of your situation in life - because wherever you are today and whatever you're going through, it doesn't change.

No TV Sunday

I am currently blogging in complete, glorious silence (except of course for my typing and the occasionally snort from Oscar). This is especially notable because Herschel and I made a deal not to turn on the TV today.

I'm not going to lie, it was actually more Herschel's deal than mine, but I'm so glad we did it. We've been talking for a while about needing to watch TV less and read/talk/rest/do absolutely nothing more. So, we decided to actually put it into action today. And, oh what a fabulous day it has been! After the busy travel-filled month we've had, this was a true vacation.

When we got up for church this morning...silence. In fact, instead of scrambling around at the last minute to figure out something for breakfast, or (as is more commonly the case) skipping breakfast all together, we actually made breakfast and sat down and ate together - at the table!

After church we went to eat lunch and to Barnes & Noble, we then came home and read and napped. Herschel's been reading all afternoon and evening, and I've been able to catch up on things around the house, which was actually relaxing for me, considering how out of control things have felt lately. Then, we made dinner again and ate at the table for the second time today! Incredible! Too often, we end up enjoying our meals on TV trays on the couch, so while our table may have been wondering what the occasion was, it was definitely a nice change of pace.

With the new season of TV shows starting up this month, I can't promise that this challenge will continue for long, but I'm all for more days like today. We lose ourselves in that little box, and we miss out on conversation, learning, relaxing, and life in general.

So, now it's your turn - turn off your TV!

Friends

I don't make friends very easily. Let's just go ahead and get that out there. I'm more than a bit awkward, I'm extremely sarcastic, I have a "different" sense of humor, I usually try too hard to get people to like me, and until I do get to know you, I'm a little bit shy.

However, once we become friends, you're pretty much stuck with me. Most of my best friends, I've known the majority of my life. And, I know things will continue to change as we get older and life happens, but for the foreseeable future, I don't see any major friend changes in my life. Hope this doesn't ruin anyone's hopes of getting rid of me.

I wasn't totally aware of this until college. Since I attended the same school from the time I was in pre-school until I graduated, I never really had to worry about "making new friends." Sure, friends changed and people came and went, but I had my core group, and come each August, I was set. No first day of school worries here. That is, until I went to college. I had built-in friends that made the trek to Texas with me, but they were all looking for new friends, so I figured I should, too. And that's when it hit me, I didn't have a clue how to make a friend.

Even after I graduated and got married, I met a girl who visited our church in Little Rock one Sunday. Her husband was in the military, and she was by herself. Herschel and I invited her to lunch after church. It turned out that we had a lot in common, we exchanged numbers with the idea of getting together again sometime soon to go to dinner or hang out. But as soon as the exchange took place, I got nervous. I felt like I was going on a date. When should I call? How soon is too soon? How long should I wait? Does she even really want to be my friend? These are the things that were actually running through my head. Ridiculous, I know.

All this rambling, brings me to a point. Since we've been back from our cruise, I was thinking about the friends we went with. We moved to Florida just over six months ago, and during that time we've been fortunate to make some good friends. Especially Zack and Nicole, the couple we went on the cruise with. I mean, think about it, during that six month period we met these people, got to know them and then decided that they would be good candidates to not only take a vacation with, but a vacation on a boat!! Where were we going to go if things didn't work out?

And even this friendship, I can't really take credit for. Herschel and Zack struck up a friendship first. Nicole and I had things in common, because she grew up in a town about 15 mintues from where my grandfather lives. But Herschel and Zack hit it off from the beginning. I remember one night at our house when Nicole and I were cleaning up from dinner, being completely ignored by the boys, and Nicole looked at me and said, "I'm glad we get along or else this would be miserable." My sentiments exactly. But luckily for us, we did get along, and our friendship has grown as well.

Which leads me to today, Zack and Nicole technically no longer live in Florida. Last night, all of their furniture and belongings were loaded onto a truck headed for Kansas. We'll get to see them one more time in Orlando, before they head to Kansas to pursue a new job for Zack. And while we are so excited for this new opportunity for them and for the possibilities that it will bring their direction, we can't help being a little bit sad for ourselves.

In addition to our friends, they have been our dog sitters, our tennis partners, our airport shuttle, our Easter dinner hosts, and the list goes on and on. It has been a special friendship, that's for sure. And one that I am incredibly grateful for. God knew exactly what he was doing when he paired us up.

So, all that to say, I'm glad we are friends, and they should consider themselves warned - they are stuck with us. It's also taught me a valuable lesson, which is that sometimes the best thing I can do is to put myself out there and just be myself, because that's when true friendship is allowed to form.