11 and still hugging

Hubster and I celebrated 11 years as hubster and wife last month. Of course we went to Mama Maria's in Hudson Wisconsin to celebrate.

I am thankful for all the wonderful things we still are.

We still hold hands
kiss each other good night
call each other to say I love you
save messages just to hear the other's voice
email each other for no reason but to say Hi
laugh together
support each other
work together on projects
work together to make decisions
play

I'm a lucky girl and he tells me he's a lucky guy.

And we are thankful for every day we spend together.

#9

Thank you for 9 years of Love and Laughter and for making all of my dreams come true.
I love you honey.

8 Goats and One roasted chicken later

My dad said that when I met the right man, the one he wanted his daughter to marry he would serve him a roasted chicken. That would be his sign to me that everything was going to be ok. And so any time I mentioned a guy dad would immediately ask if he was roasted chicken material.

So when I met the hubster and moved so quickly to Minnesota Dad never had a chance to really spend time with him and/or decide if he was roasted chicken material. The next time I would see Dad would be for my wedding. But somehow we managed to get a roasted chicken in there before the actual wedding. It was important to both of us that the chicken got served. Superstitious? Maybe, but Dad was determined to serve a chicken before the big event.

Somewhere in there also developed the joke that Dad bribed the hubster with a dowry. And at some point it was decided that he would pay the hubster in goats. So over the years when I am talking to Dad on the phone the hubster will pipe up that he hasn't gotten his goat yet for the year.

Well, today marks the arrival of goat number 8. And I want to say that I am happier than I have ever been and more deeply in love today than 8 years ago. The hubster is my best friend, my confidant, my family. He is my home, my safety, my happiness. And I love him more than I can even describe.

Happy Anniversary Hubster. You are the best!

And now what you have all been waiting for:

Shaved Lily

Shaved Sophie

Flamingos with sunglasses

Poppy in my yard

Tinker being crazy on the stairs

The Hubster

The hubster knows I blog. He knows that I talk about our daily chaos and the like. He has never read my blog. I don’t think he really has any interest in doing so. But if we have a bizarre discussion he tends to start referring to himself in the third person as the hubster. He knows that the bizarre will get put into cyber space.

He surprised me last week with a very special gift. While I was out with the girls he took all the computers and hard drives we had in the house and went in search of something that went missing/lost 7 years ago. It was a copy of our wedding vows. The judge had liked them so much that he kept the copy we gave him at the ceremony. Apparently we weren’t smart enough to print off more. And then we forgot to print them off. And then we replaced the computer. So basically they got forgotten about. But it’s one of those things that has bugged me. And every once in a while we say that we will go in search of them. But then we get lazy and the vicious cycle begins again. But for whatever reason last week in went in search of them. And then emailed them to me. So that when I got into work on Friday I would have a very special surprise. And boy was I surprised. And then I read them, and then I cried. So here ya go folks. Our wedding vows:

[Introduction and greeting to guests]

We are gathered together to unite Hubster and Newt in marriage. This is but the outward sign of an inward union of hearts and, as such, marriage is the most tender of all relationships in life. What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined….to strengthen each other….to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.

Each of you here has given something of yourself into their lives. Your love, guidance, and encouragement will forever be appreciated. Hubster and Newt are both thankful that you are here today in this celebration of their commitment to each other to live their lives as one.

[To the parents of bride:]

To Newt’s mother Hubster would like to say Thank you. Thank you for giving her life, for giving her beauty, for giving her the sweetness he adores, and for giving her the good sense to say Yes. And to you, her father, he promises to honor and protect her, though he will never replace you in her life or in her heart. And he shall love her for as long as they both shall live.

[To the parents of the groom:]

To Hubster’s mother Newt would like to promise you that she will love and protect him, this son, who is always a part of your heart, whose life is a part of your life. She will give him joy and trust, laughter and solace, compassion and strength. To you, his father, she would like to say thank you, for his wit, for his knowledge, and for teaching him the good sense to wait until the best came along.

[To the couple:]
Dear Hubster and Newt:
In being here today, you are performing an act of faith in each other, a faith which will grow, mature, and endure. Cherish and build on the hopes and dreams you now hold. Stand fast together in hope and confidence, believing in yourselves and in each other. You will create a union that will radiate between you, giving new hope, happiness, and strength to you and those around you. It is in the union of marriage that the little things are the big things. It is never being to old to hold hands. It is remembering to say “I LOVE YOU”. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted.

The union of marriage is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and a demonstration of gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful in life.

And it is in this spirit that I ask you to turn and face each other.

Hubster, do you take Newt to be your wedded wife, to share your life with her, and do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?
If yes say, “I Do”

Newt, do you take Hubster to be your wedded husband, to share your life with him, and do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?
If yes say, “I Do”

Repeat after me:

I, Hubster take you Newt to be my wife / and I commit my life to you / including all sorrows and joys / all hardships and triumphs / all the experiences of life / a commitment made in love / kept in faith / and lived in hope.

I, Newt take you Hubster to be my husband / and I commit my life to you / including all sorrows and joys / all hardships and triumphs / all the experiences of life / a commitment made in love / kept in faith / and lived in hope.

Now the exchange of rings:

Hubster, repeat after me:
This ring I give you / in token of my devotion and love / and with my heart / I pledge to you / all that I am. / With this ring I marry you / and join my life to yours.
Newt, repeat after me:
This ring I give you / in token of my devotion and love / and with my heart / I pledge to you / all that I am. / With this ring I marry you / and join my life to yours.

In view of the exchange of vows and rings by Hubster and Newt, in the presence of witnesses – and family and friends – I pronounce you Hubster and Newt to be husband and wife.

[Kiss and Applause]


Until tomorrow,
So Long and Thanks for all the Fish!

7 Years Later

So now you know the love story of Newt and the Hubster. Thankfully I can say that we have a wonderful and loving marriage. The hubster took my breath away over the weekend and made me realize just how deeply he loves me. We were listening to the radio while cleaning out the garage and they mentioned the Star Trek auction at Christies. The hubster suddenly let out a “Damn, I didn’t realize it was this weekend.” “Shoot, I thought it was a week away.” I was a little surprised about his outburst. So I asked him why he cared when the auction was. He said “Well, they were auctioning off Capt. Picard’s flute from your favorite episode. They expected it to sell for between 8 and 1200 dollars. I wanted to bid on it for you.”

I was struck a little dumb. I mean, the hubster will be the first to admit he’s cheap. So I was speechless as to the fact that he would be willing to spend $1200 dollars for a t.v. show prop.

He emailed me on Monday and said that the flute went for a mere $48,000. Holy shit! He said he would have gone to $2000 without hesitating but $48,000 – Uh, NO!

So just the thought that he wanted to do this for me had my head spinning in the romance clouds. But then, as we were talking to Boy J and R about it last night he further mentioned that the damn flute doesn’t even work. It’s just a painted metal tube. It won’t even play music.

That’s when I fell off the couch. My sweet sweet hubster was willing to blow $2000 dollars on his wife for a tube of metal. How SWEET is that?

A Little New Story - Part 4 Minnesota

First, some more of Puppy's Progress has been posted.

I went to Minnesota about a month after he had visited me. We had decided that if this was turning into what we thought that Minnesota would be home. He had the better job and he had just bought a home. His home was under 100K, if we tried to find something similar in Ca it would have cost us 500K. No rocket science here boy, I’ll tell ya.

He took me to the Minnesota zoo. They had a special temporary frog exhibit and he knew I loved frogs. We also went to Como Park and conservatory. It was absolutely beautiful. And we decided it was where we would be married.

We also visited the Mall of America, the Sculpture Gardens, and a few other local attractions. I quickly fell in love with the place and looked forward to calling it home.

When I got back to California I had to go to a manager’s meeting. The meeting was out in New Jersey. I even spent some extra time while I was out there to see my friend that I had grown up with. I had a million things going on in my mind about what I was jumping into. Could I really give up my career, my friends, and my family for this giant leap of faith? And was this really what I thought it was? I mean, my divorce had been final, what? A week? My brain was screaming at me. But my heart seemed completely sure. As I was sitting there on a bus contemplating my future they put in a movie for us to watch. It was Grumpy Old Men of all movies. A movie that takes place in Minnesota. As odd as it may sound I decided it was the sign I was looking for.

I mean everyone bases their future on a random movie played on a bus heading for a factory tour right??????

Next came the conversation with the folks. I talked to my dad and I said that I was moving to Minnesota because I had met the person I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. My dad was quiet for a moment and then he said “Honey, for a California girl who hates being cold to tell me that she wants to move to the coldest place in the US. I can only say I’m happy for you. And I know you have thought this through, and I know that you really have found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.” “When do we get to meet him?”

Well, they got to meet him the weekend he came back out to pack me up and drive me away. It was a short and sweet introduction. But everyone seemed to get along just fine.

And just like when I was 9 years old I suddenly found myself leaving the warm, safe, and familiar life in California and heading out to the cold, snowy and unsure Midwest.

Since this story of Newt has gotten long and well, it’s gotten way too long. I’ll sum up:
We met in May 1998
I moved the end of August 1998 to Minnesota.

On the 6 month anniversary of our meeting the hubster proposed to me at our favorite restaurant Mama Maria’s in Hudson Wisconsin. It was perfect and romantic, and it was perfect.

We were married a little over a year after we met. June 1999. As we had agreed to long ago we got married at Como Conservatory. Wedding pic's here.

In August of 1999 my girlfriend I had taken the trip with married the grooms brother, G.

We get an anniversary card every year from W&T that just says: “You’re Welcome”

A Little Newt Story Part 3 - First date

When M set up his trip we made a pact. We said we would take his visit in 24 hour increments. And if things weren’t working out like we had hoped then we would agree to go our separate ways. After all, his best friend lived out there. If he and I didn’t have the spark we thought we had then he could still have a wonderful vacation with his very good friend.

The First 24

Anticipation is an interesting thing. I almost died from it while I waited for “M” to get off the plane. But then he did, and our eyes met. And the next thing I remember is a REALLY good kiss up against the newsstands.

Then we were off to the city. The plan was sightseeing, dinner, and then a leisurely drive back home. He asked me to make a detour through the Haight Ashbury area as a favor to his mom. He said his parents had stayed there on their honeymoon and his mom asked him to get a picture of a particular place she knew still existed. So I waited in the car while he ran off to take pictures. When he got back he said we were all set and grabbed his bag. “What” what are you doing? “ “Oh,” he said, “I just checked us into a bed and breakfast.” “What?” “Well, it’s over two hours to drive home and I just thought we could enjoy ourselves more if you didn’t have to make that long drive back.”

Now it was making sense why my roommate told me to grab a pair of jeans just in case it got cold. – SHE KNEW!

So we went up to our room. It was perfect. It even had the little fire escape balcony. From his backpack he pulled out everything I would need to stay overnight Including contact lens solution and case. Plus he had bought me a Minnesota t-shirt. And a box of Count Chocula. My favorite cereal. But not available in California for whatever reason.

Once we had our stuff situated we headed into the city. I planned dinner at a place called Calzones in North Beach. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in the city. They did not let me down. We had a marvelous dinner. We then walked across the street to an Italian coffee shop and bakery. While we were ordering the owner kept asking me “Is that guy bothering you?” “Cause if he is, I could knock him around for ya.” I assured him “that guy” wasn’t bothering me but I thanked him for looking out for me. We took our coffee’s and cookies outside to a table on the street. Once again the owner came out to check on me. “Is this guy bothering you?” It was the funniest, oddest thing. I think he did it a total of three times while we were there.

After our coffee I said good-bye to my Italian Guardian Angel and we walked back to my car. On a street corner there was a musician. He played something for us while we stood there waiting for the light to change. I think we danced a little bit.

Then it was back to the bed and breakfast for a good nights sleep. After a leisurely morning we headed for the coastal road that would take us home.

When we got back to my house we sat on the porch and talked. We agreed that things were going well enough to renew our 24 hour pact.

24’s after that

I can’t say that the remainder of the trip was as perfectly romantic as the first 24 hours. But each day we signed up for the next 24. We had dinner with the wedding couple, my roommate, and the grooms brother G. I think I actually had to work a day or so during his stay so he spent some time with best friend W and his new wife T. When it came time for him to go we knew only one thing. It really was love. What ever spark that had flown when we were in Vegas really was there. And it was strong, and deep, and right. We both new this was the start of something that had changed our lives.

Next up: Newt does to Minnesota

A little Newt story part 2 –meeting the hubster

As promised:

In May of 1998 my roommate was invited to her friends wedding. She had recently broken up with her boyfriend so she had no one to go with. She asked me if I wanted to go with her. That we would make it a girl trip. We lived in the Bay Area and the wedding was out in Las Vegas. After the wedding we thought it would be fun to detour to S. California and visit family.

Not too many days before we had to leave she changed her mind and didn’t want to go to the wedding. But her brother, who I was actually casually dating at the time, convinced her to go. That she needed to get away and this trip would do her good.

So off we went to Vegas. The drive is a pretty desolate one but it actually winds through some “top secret” military areas. The highlight of the drive was when a large black ship/plane cruised across the sky. It was like nothing we had ever seen before. More than one car on the freeway actually ended up veering off into ditches and people got out of their cars to watch it. It was a stealth class bomber unlike anything we had seen on the History Channel. The plane didn’t appear to fly but rather to hover. “Cool” doesn’t even begin to describe what we saw.

The wedding was at the Excalibur hotel and the wedding party was dressed in Renaissance costumes. I had only met the wedding couple briefly a month or so before at their house warming party. I didn’t really know anyone at the wedding but it was a beautiful occasion and a great deal of fun. After the ceremony we gathered in the bridal suite to chat and celebrate. We got to know the members of the wedding party that had grown up with the groom “W”. One was the grooms brother who also lived in San Jose and the other two were his life long friends from Minnesota, M and Boy J. M entered the conversation we were having after he had been standing behind me making bunny ears. (I have since forgiven him for that). After a nice visit it was time to go to the reception., which was actually the Jousting Dinner Show. That was a load of fun!

From the reception we went to visit some old co-workers of mine at a bar in NY, NY. From there we had planned to meet back up with the groomsmen, G, M, and boy J for a night on the town. I had wanted them to see the “new” Fremont Street Experience so we hopped on a bus and headed to the old part of the strip. While we waited for the next light show we found a $0.99 cent margarita bar. We sat and talked for quite a while. This was the first time that M and I started to segregate ourselves off from the rest of the group. We chatted about all sorts of stuff. Somewhere in that conversation is when I let my giant skeleton out of the closet regarding still being married. Now quite buzzed and happy we went to watch the show. Which was fantastic.

Then we wandered back to the bus stop to head home. We waited and waited and waited. A kindly homeless person let us know that we would be waiting a while for the bus since they had stopped running for the night. He then let us know that best place to grab a taxi.
So after an insane taxi ride up the strip we finally arrived back at Excalibur. Then we all went up to our room to chat some more. Cigars, beer, and cheese in large quantities were consumed. M and I had hit if off superbly. And I never wanted the night to end. I think it was around 5 that we finally said good night. But we had agreed to meet up again around 7 or so. So short naps and showers for everyone. Then we had planned to meet at the NY, NY rollercoaster for a ride, followed by breakfast. Of course I rode the coaster with M. Who else would I want to be next to????? Breakfast was at the Motown café. We both ordered Corn beef hash and eggs. At first I didn’t order it because it’s one of those love it or hate it things. And I always hate to have to listen to the “Gross, you’re going to eat that?” comments. But then M ordered it and “SWEET” I could order it too then without having to worry. Or at least the odds of “gross” comments get reduced quickly when more than one person is eating something “odd”.

We had made some time commitments to our family in S. Cal. So we girls had to get on the road. We packed our stuff into the car and said good-bye to our new found friends. We exchanged phone/address info and started to head out. But with arms outstretched “M” ran back to the car and kissed me good-bye through the window. He said he just had to do that before I left.

The drive back into California was quiet and relaxing. I think we were both a little too tired to be talkative. When we arrived at my friend’s Aunt’s house we finally got the sleep we needed. Unfortunately when I talked to my parents I learned that my Grandpa had passed away during the night. One of the main reasons we had decided to detour back through S. Cal was so I could see him since he was so sick. But we were just hours too late. So the family visit turned into funeral arrangements and mourning.

My friend and I returned to our home in the Bay Area. I really only unpacked from our trip and repacked to go back down south for Grandpa’s funeral.

When I finally got back to the Bay Area my friend told me there was mail waiting for me in my room. “M” had sent me a sympathy card. And he had sent me a letter. As it turns out I owe everything to my friend. She had been talking with the Minnesota boys on the phone. “M” told her how he felt about me and if I was available. She told him I was casually dating her brother but it wasn’t serious. “M” told her to rip up the letter and throw it away. She refused to. She said he sent it to me for a reason and that I should be the one to decide how I felt about the letter.

So, an amazing letter turned into an all night phone call. Which turned into several all night phone calls. Which turned into a visit. A couple weeks after we had met he bought a ticket to come see me. He would fly into San Francisco.

Our first date……………….you’ll just have to wait till tomorrow for that one.