The Hardy Heyday

One thing led to another

2010-12-15T18:49:00.000-05:00

It started out with a bright idea for a little treat for breakfast this morning as we picked up the moving truck.

Which became lunch.

Which became dinner.

Which became embarrassing.

And, quite frankly, Jacob isn't even home yet, so who knows where it will stop.

Here we were, there we are, away we go

2010-12-14T09:49:00.000-05:00

Once again, we find ourselves surrounded by our lives - all packed up.

The laundry is done, suitcases are packed and boxes stacked. As I sit here surrounded by it, I'm struck how cluttered a place can be when its entirely packed up.

So, Jacob has made us all proud with his devoted and strong finish to this semester, not to mention this tremendous offer and opportunity for work. I have made us proud by rolling (mostly - only a couple of meltdowns) with the punches to get us all organized, arranged, domiciled and scheduled, with the notable help of two fabulous moms who broke all the "in-" laws to take a road trip through five states and spend a couple of days with their kiddos doing manual labor, aka packing (joys of family!).

Tomorrow we pick up the moving truck again (frequent flier discount anyone?) and head back to Kentucky to start our new era (our eras, in case you haven't noticed, tend to be pretty short, but hey it keeps things interesting), and even though there's so much change and uncertainty and insecurity in a way, I know that we're doing it together. We've changed everything up so many times in the last two years, but Jacob has been my constant, my partner, my gift from God. And for that I'm thankful. I know no matter where we go, how many times we pack, move, change, shift or drift, he'll be there.

It also happens that as we approach this Christmas season, we approach our anniversary, so here's to my husband. A little memory of us when we didn't know what it was like to live in wedded bliss in a dorm room with the bathroom down the hall, to be sick for entire months at a time, to be uncontrollably cold at all hours of the day and night, to learn Arabic only to be stuck attempting French, to revel in the discovery of french fries, to enjoy the security of American fast food in a way never imagined, to live without a toilet seat, to live constantly with sand, in short, to live in adventure - together.

Away we go! Photo by Michelle Young, Endearing Studios (the best photographer ever)

In vagabondary and stability

2010-12-06T17:10:00.000-05:00

Our vows didn't actually say anything about vagabondary and, as a bit of a grammarian, I have to admit that it's not a word (vagabondage is, though...), but I have packed and unpacked various amounts and contents of our belongings 10 times in our just-shy-of-two-years marriage. Tonight starts lucky number 11. Eleven out of at least 14 by the time June rolls around

And that means that right about now, six and two half-boxes in, there's only one box I'm really thinking about: the box of wine on top of the fridge.

But, as much as this task ahead of me is making me feel a little desperate and overwhelmed - and I do - tonight I choose to be thankful: that we have a home and belongings that make our lives comfortable, that I have a wonderful, intelligent husband who excels at his studies and business ventures, that we are blessed beyond all measure in so many things.

Oh, and thankful for some hot chili (mom's recipe)

And thankful for both of our sweet moms, who are headed down to help me pack this week while Jacob works on finals.

Help on packing? Now that's love.

Peeling Carrots

2010-12-01T22:00:00.000-05:00

I still peel carrots the way that Layla - the housekeeper and chef-in-residence in our house in Morocco - taught us. Without a sleek, swift, clean tool to strip off in even curls the outer skins of root vegetables. With just a paring knife, dragging and pressing it at angles to shear off the dermis, leaving cleaner rough edges on the carrots and a layer of orangey-sweet beta-carotine mist on my face and arms.

Layla and lentils (addis) in the villa kitchen in Morocco

Tonight I'm pre-preparing for dinner tomorrow night - a slow-cooked venison roast to serve Jacob and the roommate I displaced, Matthew; and courtesy of the Squires family, who shared of their recent take. It makes me think of our time abroad when we were so alone, but bonded with those around us because of the simple fact of our common lives and locales.

Now, as we look toward home again, I'm thinking of all those we missed and still miss, but who we hopefully will see soon, who we will re-integrate into our schedules and hopefully be marked into theirs.

Layla used to spend one or two evenings a week hosting cooking classes with us at the villa in addition to her regular work days. She shared her talents, comfort cooking and recipes with us and I always remember how she seemed to have a certain joy in the process of preparation and sharing with others. That, I think, is hospitality. Joy in such mundane things that, at their sum, are so much more than mundane because they serve and host others.

And that's why I still think of Layla while I'm peeling carrots.

Dead Air

2010-11-28T20:16:00.000-05:00

Seeing as I've been blogging since Jacob and I married in December 2008 (nearly two years!), it seems impossible that I could have missed an entire location that we've lived, but here it is November 2010 and I've catalogued our lives through Morocco, Oman and the UAE, Kentucky and Ohio. I've noted our travels through our countries-of-residence as well as France, Italy, Egypt, Jordan...but I've somehow been silent through our stay in the South - Carolina, that is.

And now, our time here draws to a close. We found out recently that we'd be returning home to Lexington almost exactly two years from the time we left to travel the world, and about 6 months earlier than we expected to move at all! Jacob has been offered a wonderful opportunity for work that will bring us home - closer to our family, our friends, our church home, our favorite restaurants, and our respective football teams.

So, a small tribute to our time here with a few favorite photos...and stay tuned. I have a few other bits of news to share over the next couple of weeks.

My favorite spot in our Cola, SC home

Not actually in SC - but my cousin got married this fall and we were so excited to travel to Nevada for the event

Also not in SC, but a notable event: the first annual girls trip.

Now we're talking. Mucho Margaritas in Five Points for Dave's birthday.

The South Carolina State Fair. This is big time here. Big. Time. We stopped for food first...mmm fair food...

More fair

And more fair food.

Foley Beach during a day in and around Charleston.

Foley Beach.

Mums and pumpkins for Halloween.

And the resulting Jack-O-Lanterns. From left to right: Anne, Clinton, Jacob.

Trashed, Part Different: The Bachelor Pad Review

2010-08-09T22:23:00.000-04:00

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I've already mentioned that me and the girls watch the Bachelor and the Bachelorette - two trashy shows disguised as true love fairy tale stories. These are shows you can watch and laugh at and criticize based mostly on the fact that the end goal seems pretty reputable, admirable and, in the end, what we're all looking for: true love.

But, the Bachelor Pad. Kids, what? OMG, this is like the absolute perfect confluence of social influence that combines all the idea(l)s(?) about reality spurned by the Real World age. We think that somehow any combination of sexylookingpeople poured into one room, devoid of emotion and morals but soaked with enough alcohol is going to come up with a worthy viewing topic? Well, no. But it is darn entertaining.

So, knowing that I and the girls couldn't possibly be as alcohol-soaked or sensually manipulated and frustrated (thank goodness) as those "contestants" on the Bachelor Pad, we set out to view the latest creation of ABC and Chris Harrison.

At this point, all I can say is: Michelle and Juan, peace out. Wine, peace in.

I love my girlfriend times and goofyness. I may have to do some Bachelor Pad updates. In the mean time, here are some quotes:

"I don't want it to be over. It totally lived up to my exploitations...expectations." - Esther

"I mean, if Michelle wanted to stay she shouldn't have locked one of her friends in a bathroom." -Pam

The Palmetto State

2010-08-03T09:28:00.000-04:00

My first trip to South Carolina was a wonderfully spontaneous trip with my mom and dad just after Christmas a few years ago. Dad and I, in typical form, were itching to get somewhere - anywhere especially away from the cold. Mom, in typical form, was sweetly grudging in her limited protest and eventual acquiescence.

We hopped in the car and drove and drove, through the beautiful routes of which I've become so fond. Those mid-South to Southern foothill treelined roads full of mist and green smells. We listened to repeats of TV shows on satellite radio and quizzed each other on the holy grail of Sabatino existence: trivia.

I don't remember what all we quizzed on, but one question he asked me that I got which totally threw him was what is the South Carolina state motto?

And now look at me...headed down there for ~~good~~ the next few months. Signing off for a few days while we pack up the truck and move it again...

Trashed

2010-07-30T11:09:00.000-04:00

Moving always entails throwing things out. It's actually one of my favorite things about moving. Throwing things out that I won't have to unpack and which will then never have the chance to eventually clutter up my space (like I need help, come on).

But I was a little disturbed by the volume of condiments (refrigeration required) that had to be disposed today. Salad dressing, barbecue sauce, olives, garlic, more salad dressing (that's a Hardy thing), ketchup (another Hardy thing), lots of things that you just don't offer to other people.

The things I couldn't bear not to spare? Oh, take note because this is a character defining issue: butter, chocolate fudge sauce and Rose's lime.

The gin I will take with us. Along with the wine and bourbon. The beer will have to be consumed this weekend (can't have skunky beer) during our last days of Ohio starring P, J, KOO and two babies.

On another note:
A weekend with two babies.
Anyone want to get their questions out now about when we're having kids? I don't know if you'll want to ask after the weekend (I love the kids, but you know...).

A Parting Shot

2010-07-30T09:27:00.001-04:00

Today is Jacob's last day in the offices of Craftsmen Ohio. This is also the last day in our little Akron apartment. I'm packing up today, a task which I put off yesterday so I could indulge in a little practical craft: thank you gifts for the guys who gave Jacob this opportunity and who have become our friends up here.

The first time we came up here, I stayed in the main house of one of the owners with the ladies while - in a very familiar structure to our Arab times - the boys headed out to the barn in the back to talk shop and drink scotch (well, everything except the scotch).

So, as I was tossing ideas out in my head about what would be a proper parting shot for these guys, scotch certainly came to mind. Enter the latest stay at Chez Brown. Elisabeth was doing final preps for the Bar (free at last free at last! She's done and we can go on vacation soon!) and I picked up a magazine to entertain myself. It happened to be Garden & Gun (yes, Garden & Gun) and, therein was the perfect gift: whiskey rocks.

A great buy for entertaining or for the a throwback bud who enjoys a stiff one on the rocks for real.

You can get them in sets to pair with your favorite glasses or with glasses. Check them out!

Apparently it's a Scandinavian tradition (pre-dating ice) to set out stones in the cold and then pour whiskey over them so they chilled the drink. It seemed like the perfect office survival kit for these guys - a couple of glasses, coasters, rocks and you have the makings of a tough afternoon.

Well, a tough afternoon made better.

Now That's Therapy

2010-07-28T12:08:00.000-04:00

Remember when we bought the party time? Well, we bought it knowing that there was no AC. We got a good deal and it was fine because I'm not a total AC girl anyhow - my most beloved vehicle was the old jeep I was allowed to drive in hs (it was supposed to be my dad's fun car) which had little climate control at all and which was frequently topless and doorless - the better to blow out my poor dad's speakers. It was also ok because it was like March or April or some month generally considered to still be late winter in Cleveland.

We just figured we'd get the AC fixed sometime closer to the SC move date, which would be after a couple of months and maybe we'd have a bit more cash. Isn't that how it works? If you wait a little longer you always have more money? Haha. No, grasshopper. Well, actually, Jacob worked insanely hard last month and made a bonus and he insisted we repair the AC sometime before we move to the sticky south (it was 103 PLUS humidity and heat index when mom and I were there looking for apartments).

So I made one of my trips down to Lex, a process I think I could now effectively market as a spa treatment for traveling sales people. Want a cleanse in a sauna-like environment but never have to miss a beat on your out of state appointment? Ride with me and by the time you're to the next stop, I promise you'll have sweated out all the toxins in your body plus at least a couple of pounds and you'll only need to refuel with vitamin water because the sheer temperature of your corpus will be too high for you to even consider ingesting something that requires processing.

Between moving and all this hot driving (Hot driving! It's like hot yoga but you can sit on your butt the whole time!), I'm pretty sure I will lose whatever weight I've gained while up here away from a gym and generally doing random consulting work while sitting on my (increasingly flat) butt - can that happen? Does your butt flatten if you sit on it too much? Danger!

Anyway, so I took the car in last week because I already had a dinner scheduled with my old boss and colleagues and it was my mom's bday, so I figured knock it all out at once (actually, I'd already had it fixed and the compressor went out after two days). Two interstate spa-treatment cleanse round trips, two weeks, three compressors, about 84,000 ounces of freon, a non-leak and a lot of frustrated Spanglish conversations, still no AC. It would seem that there is a bad sensor. So, inshallah, next week, when we return (for one golden day) to pick up the moving truck and load all of our stuff, the sensor will be in and installed and...work?

This has actually become a bit more critical since we are now down to one car. Oh, I didn't mention that? That's right, Ohio has one other shining offering for those who dare venture to this midwestern mecca: a plethora of poorly-planned construction zones infested with $@!**% drivers, who I happen to believe are also just bad people. People who would refuse to let you in while you're trying to accommodate other drivers in a tight spot, people who would speed up and honk just to emphasize that fact and then after they leave you in the shit, trying to avoid causing a huge pileup on the interstate and subsequently crashing headlong into a median, they drive on, not even bothering to call the police. They leave you (or actually my husband who could have, for all they knew, been seriously injured) with a smashed car that's spun out, with airbags deployed, facing oncoming traffic and don't even bother to call the police.

I would have given away that Honda and the Party Time and my house and my dog and anything else I have for the result of that accident, which was that Jacob was completely fine, praise the Lord, so it's not like this is a true challenge in the game of life. It's just a pain in the neck, but I happen to think that there are enough pains in the neck that happen in life without the help of jackasses and can't we all just get along?

Ha. Hahahahahaha. HHhhhhHHHHaaaaAAAAAAAAAaahhhhhhaaaaaaAAAAAA!

Oh, that was nice. It's so good to have a good laugh, you know?

Now that's therapy.

A work in progress

2010-07-21T12:58:00.003-04:00

One of the things I've been mulling is what to do in Cola once we get there and get settled. Among the possibilities are some graphic design and photography classes to augment the study that happened once so long ago in college and the fun I always have with that kind of stuff.

P&J have been so sweet to allow me to hang out and be a part of intimate moments and use them to experiment and practice. Here are a few templates I designed for baby announcements. I'm interested in putting together some more templates and maybe selling them. What do you think?

The Good Stuff

2010-07-20T09:27:00.000-04:00

I talk a lot about my girlfriends - how thankful I am for them, what we've been through together. The epic things and the every days that make life so much more livable. Boyfriends, jobs, husbands, homes, families, food and goofy TV shows, parties, pities, sadness and laughter - help - with the little things about life that break you down and lift you up.

I'm also very thankful for my wonderful husband. He's intelligent and gorgeous and faithful (to God and me) and fun and I love everything about him (even the stuff that drives me crazy). I adore him as a husband and a friend and I love living life with him, but we both need our time to debrief and spend time with our other friends. And so I'm thankful not just for my friends, but for his.

You and Me and the Bottle (of Belgian Trappist Beer) makes three

Our big "money date" was dreamed up with this guy, they've terrorized the suitors-to-be of Jacob's sisters, they've driven to the borders together, adventured through Europe and rolled the hills of Rosslare. This guy presented the two most serious questions and contributions from Jacob during our wedding planning: 1-Can I have one Kingsman and the rest Best Men (I was fine with it, I just didn't anticipate it resulting in many of my friends and family asking if "Kingsman" was some kind of "Southern Thing")? 2-Does Matt have to cut his hair (I said no, although he now says maybe he should have...I'm not convinced - look at how well Spain did this year with their euromullets)?

There's just no accounting for a good friend - or hair like that.

Point is that, I'm not just thankful for my friends - I'm thankful for Jacob's. For what they add to his life and for the fact that I get to know them, too.

RIP Cricket

2010-07-19T09:32:00.000-04:00

I sometimes chide my husband and sisters-in-law, and friends in general for addictions to their GPS. When my parents first got their GPS-equipped Caddy, my dad ultimately disabled the entire system playing with it and entertaining himself by making the car speak to him in different languages. It eventually became stuck on an Italian woman.

I understand the use of directional helps. I love google maps and my iphone nav systems - mostly because they don't yell at me, "RECALCULATING ROUTE!" like an unhappy spinster taking out her frustrations on an unsuspecting neighbor child (when there is no recalculation necessary). Partially because they allow me to still feel like I'm taking some kind of active part in the process of navigation. Like I'm doing it myself.

So when I started out on the road to Lexington from Akron last week, it didn't even occur to me that I should look up directions. I've driven this route a few times, now. I know where I'm going. And I do. But in order to take the right exits without a voice screaming at you from a nasty dash-mounted electric box there's a catch - you have to pay attention. Which I wasn't doing.

Because as soon as I got on the interstate, I noticed this and became immediately and completely distracted:

I don't know where he came from, but that little guy was so cute. And vulnerable. And about to die. I was sure of it. He was holding on for dear life, antennae flapping in the wind, legs gripping onto perilous holds. I seriously considered pulling over to let the little guy off, but I thought it was no use. He'd never make it past the exit. I kept watching, thinking that the next time I sped up or hit a wind or passed a semi, he'd be ripped off the sideview and thrown into certain death.

I mean, this thing was tenacious. He hung on for a good 20 miles and by that time, I was imagining his stress and cramping muscles. His wife and kids back home. I was stressed out. Then he started making some kind of Macgyver move, tucking his thorax into the space between mirror and casing and there was hope! HOPE!

Then when he made the final move - a thud on the side of the car door as he flew off. Death. RIP Cricket. Gah.

I looked up, eyes fully focused on the road again for the first time in 20 miles and noticed - I had driven completely out of my way. Maybe a screaming GPS might have been a good thing in that circumstance.

Wouldn't have done the cricket any good though.

Experimentation

2010-07-16T10:16:00.000-04:00

Once again we are getting ready to move. We're also on a bit of a budget - as usual. We're just poor gypsies!

In order to both save money and utilize as much of what's already in the cabinet, we've embarked in a challenge to not spend money on groceries until we've used up what we already have. We are so sustainable. Yeah, that's it. Not poor, not pennypinching. Sustainable. Duh.

I get so caught up in making fun recipes (REALSimple has me there) that sometimes I think I need to take off to the store at every turn to make tasty meals. This next week should be interesting (use what you have use what you have).

We have: chicken breasts, Omaha steak burgers, bananas, oatmeal, kielbasa, bacon, edamame, tuna, waffle mix, pasta, butter, spices, salad dressing, butterscotch chips, homemade beer cheese, rice, shredded parm cheese, flour, wine, ice cream (quickly waning supply) and eggs.

We will buy: potatoes, sandwich buns, maybe some other veggies to keep us green.

On the menu:
Bacon burgers and homebaked homefries
Tuna Salad Sandwiches and veggies with dip
Breakfast for dinner - Belgian Waffles and eggs
Jambalaya
Rue's spicy pasta (with chicken)

The extras:
Oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies
Banana bread (two loaves)

It's actually pretty amazing what you can do with what you have. Oh, a lesson I'm learning every. single day.

Kiss it/Miss it

2010-07-15T09:41:00.000-04:00

Miss it: P&J's dogs, especially Jackson, who reminds me of Kipling a lot. But, I'll be ok since I get Kipling back soon! Jacob will probably miss Sadie more, since she is a girl and favors the boys for sure, and is less complicated and basically just happy go lucky and she does tricks, and I am forcing him to take on my dog - who has lots of quirks and doesn't really do tricks unless they involve peanut butter and frequently attempts to co-op all available space around me - as our dog.

Kiss it: the laundry room in our apartment building. The communal laundry room that costs $3/load. It's far superior to an off-site laundromat, though, so I can't complain too much, but basically: B to the S. Hello hookups - washer/dryer hookups that is!

Cool as a cucumber

2010-07-14T09:08:00.000-04:00

My ever-culinarily-enterprising sister in law started a garden this year and as I was pulling out of the driveway to return to Cleveland, she came high stepping out of the yard with a prize: one of her cucumbers.

Having just eaten a fab meal that included her homegrowns in a gorgeous cucumber salad, I was inspired and fixed one up for Jacob and me last night. What a divine summer food!

I wish I could say I brought the cucumber straight home, but to be quite honest, the days between the drive and the salad were punctuated with a couple of mary poppins-esque episodes of pulling a cucumber out of a purse. How odd. Nonetheless the salad was delicious!

The recipe I used was a mix of a couple online and it could still probably use some tweaking, but here we go (maybe if we're lucky, Monica can add two cents on her version!):

6-8 oz. of Greek plain yogurt
2 cucumbers, sliced and peeled (or not - the skin is good for you and adds some crunch, I like it)
Salt, to taste
2t white vinegar
1t garlic, crushed (a clove or so)
1 1/2 t dill (dried)
ground pepper, to taste

Prep cucumbers and put in a colander. Salt and drain for 10 minutes.

While draining, put yogurt in a bowl and whisk until smooth (just a couple of rounds), then whisk in other ingredients. Add cucumbers and fold in, chill and serve. Salt if more is desired. Enjoy!

Kiss it or miss it

2010-07-13T09:34:00.001-04:00

I know it seems odd for me to say this in a way, but there are definitely some things I'm going to miss from up here. It won't be a total kiss off.

I will miss: The large bird. A fan favorite among readers and residents of the NE and also the source of nearly all our shopping spoils, Giant Eagle always doubles my coupons with a smile and adds fuel perks at GetGo (which I still maintain should be named the Eaglet). Is there a place like this in SC? Please!

In no particular order, obvio: P&J. They are such sweet friends and Jacob's relationship with him and them has persisted through many years and many distances. I know it will be the same for the four of us - and now with baby, the five of us!

Kiss it: the rain. THE RAIN! OMG, the rain. Kiss. It. Peace out. I'll gladly take my moisture hanging heavy in the air instead of dumping on me every single day. Heat and humidity, here I come.

Back later with the story of love, loss and lost...a dead cricket. So sad. So very very sad.

Home Sweet (Next) Home

2010-07-10T22:09:00.000-04:00

I may have talked about this before, but there was an impertinent moment in my youth when I was incredulous at my mom's wanting to stay put - in Indiana, in her comfy home with all her friends around (sounds terrible, right?).

After our excursions abroad (and in the US, have I mentioned I live in Northeast Ohio right now?), I found myself in a strange place when mom and I traveled to South Carolina last week: I was looking for a home. Not just the next place to land, not just a shelter that covered the necessities. I found myself really desiring a place that Jacob and I can unpack, stretch out and settle down. Did I just say those words? Yes. Settle down.

So somehow, when we found a couple of places that fit the technical bill, I still found myself stressed and hesitating. Seeing as we lived in what we were told was the only available apartment in Burami, Oman after sharing a two-bedroom house with other fellow students (and they were even kind enough to give us the one working bedroom) after sharing a dorm building, I guess I was holding out hope for a little something more.

My new rockstar friend E drove me around on our last full day in town and she is the ONLY reason we found this place. I didn't want to call the numbers we found that day, and I didn't want to go see the only place from all 15 numbers I called that was: in our price range, had W/D hookups, and would allow my dog. Sitting outside, waiting for the landlord, I thought, there's no way this will be worth it. But I think I was wrong...

Front porch! Brick duplex! Yard! Cute 'hood! Bikeable to campus!!!

Built in bookshelves! Fireplace! In the (paraphrased) words of my mom and mother in law,

this just looks like you. I'm excited for it to look like us.

This is a place I can see our lives. I can see Jacob coming home in the evening and walking my dog in the neighborhood and having dinner parties. Al humdulallah! Now just remember, Columbia, SC is so very close to lots of fun things like Asheville, Savannah, Charleston - and it's not too bad itself. Come visit!

Home Sweet Home

2010-07-06T09:32:00.000-04:00

Today mom and I are taking a little girls' retreat to South Carolina to scout out Jacob's and my next living arrangement. I can't believe that, since we've been married, we've lived in Morocco, the UAE, Oman and the US. In addition to those countries, we've traveled to Egypt, Jordan, France, Italy...and we've also stayed in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio (commonly known as the tristate area). Now we move down South to Cackalack.

We're hoping for the holy grail of married housing. Affordable, bikable, dogable, launderable.

Well, hoping and praying.

Cafe All Lait

2010-07-02T08:12:00.000-04:00

I know that this seems indistinguishable and sort of like one of those kids puzzles on the back of the World Wildlife Federation magazines, but I won't make you guess what it is.

I woke up yesterday morning and attended to my first priority of the day: making coffee. Jacob likes his fiber in cereal, I'm more of a java girl. Sooo...before I knew it, I looked down into my coffee maker and that is what I saw. I then looked incredulously to my pouring right hand, which was holding - a gallon of milk.

I guess this is why I usually make my coffee in the evenings before bed.

Shoulda been a reality tv show

2010-07-01T15:44:00.000-04:00

I watch TV a lot right now, ok? Like probably way above the national average of that study they showed us at church last week. It's always on when Jacob isn't home - even if I'm doing work (house or otherwise), even if it's on mute...and Jacob works a lot. You do the math.

ANYway, I saw this True Life recently (True Life: I'm a newlywed), and one of the couples got married and then the bride immediately moved to Indianapolis with her new groom (11 hours away from her family home). It was all drama drama drama, as those shows are wont to be, and she's upset she can't bring her blue chair and he eats pizza at 1:37 am. There are tears and bouts of irritation and lots of adjustment.

But I'm like, child, you have no idea. At least Indy has pro football.

We totally should have been a reality show. True Life: I'm a newlywed overseas in the middle east wearing long sleeves in 120 degrees and PS we were engaged for three months after dating three months.

But that's not much for reality.

Bliss

2010-07-01T12:26:00.000-04:00

This is my husband - and my dog - laying on my lap last weekend at my mom's house. Can I tell you how excited I am that I get to have them both when we move to SC? So happy!

Thanks, husband, for letting me bring my puppy even though I fawn over him sometimes and it's going to be more expensive and difficult to find a place that takes dogs. I promise I always like you much much more than him.

Oooh that smell

2010-06-30T19:35:00.001-04:00

What I really want to know is, how...HOW is it possible even when I cook tremendously pungent foods and when a bunch of Indian families live around cooking tremendously pungent foods...that our apartment hallway always smells like a mix of potpourri and some kind of processed tuna/casserole spam concoction?

Also, I want to know why looking for a swimsuit is now something akin to looking at porn? Really Brazil? Really strings? Really thong? You call yourselves bikinis? Geez. I have lingerie less revealing than some of the stuff on Amazon.

Also, I assume you're asking since you're looking up at me from the bottom of the third page of results. No, I do not want you, Hello Kitty bathing suit. No. No no no no.

Wedding Gift, wedding gift, where are you?

2010-06-30T10:55:00.000-04:00

I have so many fab wedding gifts. I have no idea why people got us such cool stuff. Or why they got us presents at all. I'm thankful, though. Piles of notecards that nearly exhausted my stationary stash thankful (except for my amazing girlfriends who gave me a stationary shower to help replenish the stock of paper goods that feed my fetish).

You can find Match at one of my fave Lexington boutiques, Mulberry+Lime on N Limestone

There are some things that I will have no trouble using - like my beautiful Match accessories (also a special shower given by other girlfriends who pitched in and got gorgeous pewter candlesticks). There are other things that I may have to push myself to incorporate. I feel like I took a step with the torch (FIRE!), and now I'm not scared of it and I know how to fill it and I know what butane looks like (you should have seen the look on my mechanically-inclined brother's face when I told him I had to carry my dainty little chef's torch into Menard's to show everyone so they would know what I wanted).

You can find this gem at Williams Sonoma. If you're in Lex, ask for my sister in law. She's the really cute one.

Even my All-Clad Waffle Iron is a little intimidating. It seriously weighs about 50 lbs and it has a lock on it! a LOCK. Like the waffles are going to check to see if the coast is clear, then hop out and bail. Peace out, waffles. I don't know. I used to cook a lot. I love cooking - I even really enjoy breakfast food, but I didn't cook a lot of breakfast food because, let's face it. Brunch is for late-waking recovery Saturday mornings or fancy Sundays. Neither of those times do I particularly want to cook or do dishes. C'est la vie, though. Marriage changes you, they say, and I guess if that means hosting more brunches it could sure be a lot worse.

Mimosas anyone?

Mama Mia!

2010-06-29T11:27:00.000-04:00

I took off at the end of last week and headed Indy-way to visit a bit with my family and friends here and, even though it was a pretty short time, there have been lots of good times. It's amazing how sometimes (especially when you're home or in the company of those you love) even the really basic things can be wonderful.

Mom and I spent a good bit of time rummaging through the attic in a process of sorting and un-boxing and reboxing that seems neverending and frustrating but that always yields fun stuff (wedding gifts! thought-to-be-lost kitchen accessories!). We attempted to figure out how to finish a set of Kate Spade Library Lane flatware when it's not available anywhere - or sell it (we decided on sell it - you want it? Try here), but that was after Sarah and I had a nasty adventure with an unhappy (I suppose about most everything) clerk at Macy's named Chuck. I have no problem reporting this and saying that I will furthermore avoid Macy's home department at the Greenwood Park Mall like the plague, and maybe all Macy's stores hereafter (sorry, manager James, not even your helpfulness could mediate that attitude). Mom and I cooked a heart healthy meal from the Mayo Clinic (which I will spare this site, lest you try to prepare and eat it - blech). I also got to spend lots of time with my girls (Sarah and her beautiful baby Mia), drive my Mustang (so did the husband) and cook breakfast for my mom this morning before I left.

That recipe, I will post - because if you make it, you'll enjoy it and because I can tell you about how I used my torch! I have a torch! It was a birthday gift from Sarah but I never went out to get the butane tank to fill it up and now I am a wannabe chef so I found it and got motivated. It's awesome. So is oatmeal brulee...

Oatmeal Brulee
Prepare oats (regular or quick) according to directions, but instead of all water, I like to use half water and half milk. If you want to be decadent then use some half and half in the mix.
Add to the warming liquid (before you stir in the oats):
a pinch of salt
Cinnamon to taste (I put in about 1/8 of a t for 2 servings)
Brown Sugar to taste (1-2 T)
Butter (1 T)

Cook oats until thickened (if you don't have a torch, lightly butter or spray your oven-safe bowls with cooking spray and heat your oven to broil) and then pour or spoon finished oats into bowls. Sprinkle white sugar on top (about 1 T per serving or until it's covered) and run the flame over the sugar until it bubbles and browns OR put your bowls in to broil for just a couple of minutes until the sugar bubbles and browns.

Serve with berries.

The whole visit was enhanced by the appearance of my darling husband for the middle couple of days. I love him so much for driving five hours each way to come spend time with me and my family. As much as they love me, they really love him (because he's not even related to me and he still loves me so sweetly - and knows how to handle me!) and they love having him around, too. Yay for visits! Yay for husband! Yay that I'll be back with him this evening.

That is all.

I feel the earth move...

2010-06-23T16:03:00.001-04:00

The top state for earthquakes in the US is Alaska.

I have never been to Alaska.

The second state in the US for earthquakes is California. I go to Cali all the time. Lots of family there. Never been in an earthquake, though...in California.

Neither Kentucky nor Ohio are even in the top 20 of states for earthquake activity and yet...I was in an earthquake in Kentucky a few years ago.

And I was in an earthquake in Ohio TODAY!

It wasn't bad at all, but it was really disconcerting and I actually thought I was crazy or having a really bad attack of vertigo before Jacob called me and confirmed that it was, in fact, an earthquake.

I know I can only think this is funny because no one got hurt, but earthquakes always make me think of the movie Knocked Up when there's an earthquake and everyone freaks out and one of the guys rescues his girlfriend and supa-high Seth Rogan totally forgets about preggo Katherine Heigel and she yells at him about his huge bong. Ha. Bong.

I just thought this was a really funny pic. It came from the local news story about the earthquake. Isn't that so typical? Ah, local news.

Rue de la Pasta II

2010-06-22T09:28:00.000-04:00

Rue, the neighbor/roommate to the constantly-boarding-me-couple of Browns is such a fun fab friend to spend time with while I'm in Lexington. He's always popping up with a glass of wine at opportune times like the end of the day when E and I get home. He's also amazing because he can always be counted on to whip up a delicious pasta.

Another great one was this past weekend and I highly recommend fart (that was a blog note from Jacob - Jacob recommends farts). I recommend Rue's pasta. It's easy! And delicious. This is an approximation.

Take a tablespoon of oil and heat it in a large skillet on med-low with two-three tablespoons of butter, then add about a tablespoon of minced garlic and a teaspoon of cayenne pepper flakes. Boil water for pasta of your choice. While the garlic and pepper are cooking a bit, you can throw in some chicken or shrimp as you like and cook until cooked through. I added a bit of white wine in mine and a couple of sliced up grape tomatoes at the end and cook until they're softened. Then when the pasta is done, toss it in the skillet until it's coated with the garlic and pepper. Plate it and top it with Parmesan cheese.

Fab! Not healthy but fab. (Rue's recipe was simple and epic - just the EVOO, butter, garlic and pepper topped with cheese. I only added meat because Jacob needs some meat and wine because trust me, it's better I cook with that wine than drink it based on the last time I did the opposite).

Cultural Observations

2010-06-21T11:12:00.000-04:00

You may remember when I had to learn to communicate more effectively with a security guard at the Al Jimi mall in Al Ain. Well, last night, SP taught me a new lesson about knowing your audience.

When we walked up to the security checkpoint at Blossom to see Toby Keith for Phillip's birthday, we got held up with our lawn chairs, which were too tall to pass muster. We tried a couple of genuine pleas, we offered to leave them folded, and then SP (who had walked in with her husband and maneuvered her chair past the gates) walked up and like a champ communicated in a language they could understand:

"That chair is for me. Are you going to make me sit on the ground? Are you going to seriously take this chair away from a pregnant lady? C'mon man."

A bit of stalling, some exchanged glances and, eventually guilt. "Ok," they acquiesced. "But you have to name him after us. Thomas Richard."

"It's a girl," she said.

"What about Thomasina Richardina?"

It's not the only way to work...

2010-06-18T10:21:00.000-04:00

but it's definitely the best!

Elisabeth, Rue and I hit up the poolside yesterday and while I was busy reading all kinds of laughably ridiculous propaganda about Lexington's water issues, Elisabeth was studying away for the Bar. Rue, perhaps smarter than both of us, just sat there and looked pretty.

Flashback

2010-06-15T07:42:00.000-04:00

Recently while working on a client project, I decided to enroll in a web-based tutorial to get up to speed on programming html emails. So I sat on my couch and logged in to the webinar.

As I listened to the muzak and calming voice telling me to remain on the line, the persistent beep beep beep beep beep of other users logging in took me right back to the days of pharma and daily, seemingly-hourly, teleconferences.

Even though I now work from home and freelance on a variable schedule, I had quite a flashback. I guess some things never change.

What I really want to know

2010-06-14T14:26:00.000-04:00

Does anyone else love Rob&Big? I know it's not on the air anymore, but I love it, V loves it, my brother loves it...it's a great show, mostly because it's full of hijinks and wackiness - much like my beloved husband.

What does this have to do with me? Well, I was watching it today and Rob's parents come into town and the entire episode was dedicated to Rob trying to drive his mom crazy. He drives too fast, passes too much, says crap a lot, jumps off a tour bus, breaks the law by plastering city property with street team stickers, fakes an arrest and tries to make her cry by reading cheesy poetry.

So, what I really want to know is, am I destined to have a son who acts like this?

I'll answer my own question: have you ever met my husband? (or me?)

Home is where...

2010-06-14T09:19:00.000-04:00

Just as Jacob and I got engaged nearly two years ago, his family experienced a bit of a material tragedy. I say material because no one was injured, but the family house burned in an accident. Though some of my darling's collection of mementos and a couple of Moroccan rugs were taken up in the blaze, the important things were spared, ie family members and the basic structure of the house. They moved out to a temporary apartment and then a rental house and eventually back into the reconstructed (and redesigned) home.

We have lived a parallel existence in a way. During the time that we were packed up and living abroad, they were packed up and living in temporary quarters. But now, they are unpacked and settled in and we are...still packed up.

I remember a card that someone got them posted on the fridge. It said,

Check out Curly Girl designs from The Good Life company for more designs like this!

As I paw through the next share of potential homes in our next destination town, I'm thinking about all the things that I'll be unpacking that might make our house more of a home - dishes (a set large enough for a dinner party), a waffle iron (that one's for the husband) for Saturday morning breakfasts, familiar furniture...but even more, I know I'll be taking my heart - oh, and my dog.

What I really want to know

2010-06-13T13:04:00.000-04:00

There are so many questions out there that just pop into our heads. Questions of consequence, questions of, well...inconsequence. Lots of things about which I'm curious. This is part of the reason I know trivial facts and other things useless in daily life, but helpful in board games.

What I really want to know today is, how does Giada deLaurentiis, with all her gorgeous figure and hair and skin and eyes and lips, keep her fingernails clean while she cooks all that delicious food? She always has these gorgeously manicured chip-free fingernails that should be, in all fairness, discolored by garlic and splattered with parsley juice and full of tomato stains. How?

I can't even keep polish on for one day. Fail.

Pain in the neck

2010-06-11T10:35:00.000-04:00

Well, we made it through a 12+ hour day of driving, riding and flying (sort of) at Cedar Point yesterday and the first thing I'll say is, HALLELUJAH, a day free of rain. I don't know if it was truly miracle weather and the clouds parted for family day or if it's just that we escaped the pocket of persistent cloudy raininess that hangs over the Fairlawn/Akron area. WHO CARES. Sun, الحمدلله!

It's a good thing we enjoyed it, though, because it's back to rainy with a neckache here. All those fantastic rides (and we did all of them - all the good ones anyway - twice) took me back to summers with the Sabatino family, our couple-day mini-vacations to theme parks and the family dares to do the next biggest ride or stunt or thrill. They took me back to being a kid in a way - and reminded me how much of an adult I am.

Like I said, rainy with a neckache...we woke up this morning and looked at each other and said a collective, "ow." Ow for the neckache and backache, and bruised quads and cracking knees and sore feet.

Oh, well. It was worth it.

Time Machine

2010-06-09T10:04:00.000-04:00

Tonight some of Jacob's siblings and cousins will arrive in (still-dreary) Northern Ohio on a trek toward fun and nostalgia. They're bedding down at our place, probably taking up just about every bit of floorspace in our tiny apartment in a squeeze reminiscent of camp time so that we can all trek further up north to glorious Sandusky in pursuit of amusement park time.

This kind of pilgrimage was yearly for me and the Sabatino clan as dad and I - and sometimes Michael - rode wild and mom waited patiently and we devoured horrible food, spun sugar and gallons of water. We haven't gone in years. There have been moves and marriages and time crunches.

But tomorrow, it's going to be time machine time. I'm putting on some shorts (rarely wear them) and chacos, slapping on the sunscreen and packing a small bag with zippers so I'm ready to ride...

ilovemywife.com

2010-06-07T21:59:00.000-04:00

I'm so ridiculously spoiled. Spoiled by my sweet husband who is working so hard right now and still comes home and has the energy and good nature to have sweet dinners with me. Spoiled by his thoughtfulness in bringing home "Hot Lady" roses for me (they're hot pink) after driving around to four different Giant Eagles to find "good flowers," because the other ones didn't look good. Spoiled by the tiny little things like letters after we've been away from each other and naming our wireless network so that I think of him every time I get online. Thanks, love. And thanks, God.

Summertime

2010-05-26T09:26:00.000-04:00

Cleveland's cooler weather has its perks (like the fact that there's no AC in the Party Time and it's still comfortable up in N Ohio, if not in Lexington), but being down here in Kentucky, I'm willing to trade the AC for some friend time.

We celebrated Elisabeth with a good old fashioned summertime cookout, and it was a perfect Kentucky summer evening. Just after a thunderstorm the night before, so it was a touch cooler, but still a bit of misty humidity in the warm air. There was a gorgeous sunset over the fields and hills, and best of all: friends.

I'll even take the bugs that go along with my perfect Kentucky summertime...

PB&J

2010-05-24T17:31:00.001-04:00

Baby day came and went not too long after Jacob and I arrived in Ohio, so I not only got to be there to snap some shots of J carrying the baby, but of all three: baby, P and J. So, now it's PB&J around their house, and all I can say is that's one very very goodlooking sandwich.

Girl, I want to give you something special

2010-05-20T15:29:00.000-04:00

1- cut a hole in a box:

2-put some wine in that box

3-let her open that box

4-and that's the way you do it...

Cause it's my wine in a box.

Plant a big one on me

2010-05-19T16:28:00.000-04:00

The other day, Jacob went on an expedition to find me flowers and when he couldn't find a bouquet of peonies (my favorite flower), he bought me...a shrubbery!

Ok, not exactly a shrubbery, but, a peony bush.

A rush of emotions went through me when I realized what he had done: gratefulness, appreciation, confusion and panic. Panic because I am not a plant person. I killed the memorial hydrangeas a friend gave me after my father passed away (after she assured me I could not possibly kill them and then proceeded to plant them and arrange them for me). So, considering we are nomadic and I have nowhere to plant a bush (and no one to take care of it for me), I freaked out a bit.

I decided to carry it with me to Cleveland, after the wedding, because I didn't want to abandon it. So I carted it around in the Party Time and then to P&J's house in Brooklyn and then to our new place in Akron. Just about the time we were headed to our new apartment, I noticed a wrinkly brown leaf on the bush - a surefire sign of certain death.

Frantic texts were sent out, a phone consultation and some garden-center shopping followed and I settled it into this pot with some fresh soil and watered it and held my breath. It seemed to be doing fine and then Cleveland experienced about three days straight of rain and cold and rain and cold and rain and cold.

I once again ask the question: has anyone not mentioned to Cleveland how obscene it is to be this cold and nasty in MAY? Oh, and one other question. Can my plant have seasonal affective disorder? I think it's living (which is an accomplishment in and of itself), but probably depressed.

The Biz Buzz

2010-05-13T12:21:00.000-04:00

My former employer, Smiley Pete, keeps in its stable my former publications, The Chevy Chaser and The Southsider, as well as Lexington's Business Journal, Business Lexington. I absolutely love this whole group and am so thankful that I can continue working and writing for them.

These are the latest:
Tarter, a Dunville, KY-based company is the largest producer of animal management and farm equipment in North America. I had a blast spending an afternoon with great-grandson of the founder, Keith Tarter. These guys are truly 100% country, 100% Kentucky and 100% impressive. Believe me, driving into middle-of-seemingly-nowhere-Kentucky, I was not expecting what I found there. Read it here.

And, yes, between Elisabeth and another gf who works at a law firm, I feel like I sort of own a little bit of legal knowledge. So, here's an article that is a perfect showcase of one reason I (heart) writing so much: I get to learn about new things! Did you know you can hire a lawyer and NOT have to pay $250/hour straight up? It's true! Read it here.

Whataweek!

2010-05-11T12:29:00.000-04:00

Well, between moving and Jacob's and my work and finding a new place, you'd think we had enough to keep us busy, but nooo...we had so much more!

And happily.

Last week, before we returned to Lexington for some different revelry, P&J welcomed their sweet new babe to the world! Say hello, Gabriel!

Then, I scooted over to U of K to celebrate Elisabeth's Law Grad Ceremony. Congrats Elisabeth!

While I hung out with the girls, Jacob was practicing up for the wedding of these two crazy kids, which took up our Saturday. Yay for marriage! Yay for Tommy and Ashley - hope you guys are enjoying MX (you picked a good time to leave since it's cold and rainy here - boo).

Then we scored a very relaxing Sunday just hanging with Jacob's family (after sleeping through church - whoops!).

Happy Mother's Day to both our mommas and to my Grannie - we love you all so much!

Table for One

2010-05-05T18:01:00.000-04:00

This is what dinner looks like when the husband's not around:

Pan grilled marinated chicken with red wine reduction and spring greens

Unless, of course, it looks like this:

McDonalds Angus Third Pounder with bacon and sweet tea

(am I the last in the whole world to catch on to McD sweet tea?!)

What kind of luck did you wish for? (UPDATE)

2010-05-05T12:12:00.002-04:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

So I was working on this charming little assembly project like a little one-woman-sweatshop because it was delivered to P&J's house while they were off having the baby and when I tell P that its in a box, he's all, those bastards, it was supposed to be assembled.

Assembled. Did you hear that Crate+Barrel. Assembled. That means putitogetherplease.

Well, whatever. I knew, having been a single girl homeowner, I was more than qualified to tackle this project. I also knew that being a Sabatino, I should NOT read the directions.

Ha. Just kidding. I did. And I put it all together - just right. And it was perfect...until P saw it and was all, shitman, they sent the wrong one.

Huh.

Wish me luck

2010-05-05T09:36:00.001-04:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Project for today.

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what it will be (or what it is meant to be - these may be two different things)?

A (co-op'd) room of one's own

2010-05-04T18:52:00.000-04:00

I love my little house in Lexington. I love that it's close enough to walk places and in a bustling little neighborhood where there are always people walking around with dogs and kids and backpacks. But it's so easy to get distracted there, what with things always going on and friends around the block.

I spent today holed up in our pals' home while they're off having a baby. Just me and the dogs. Ok, it was more like me, the painter, the Crate + Barrel deliverymen and the dogs. But still. Their place is kind of in the middle of nowhere. Not like deliverance middle of nowhere, but trees on all sides leave the shades open with no fear middle of nowhere.

The point is, I think sometimes I forget what quiet is. Not quiet like sealed in your house silent, but quiet. Quiet like sitting in a sunroom - or on a deck - with only the sounds of wind rustling the trees and creeks flowing and herons winging overhead and the gentle pushing up of green things all around. The air, the sun, the scent of spring - everything just quietly being all around.

It was a beautiful day.

Tie-ins

2010-04-30T15:09:00.001-04:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

I didn't realize it at first, but when Jacob and I went shopping upon our return to the states for a few essentials it occurred to me I've picked up a new responsibility: dressing my husband. I'm not saying he can't pick out his clothes, or that men can't dress themselves. But I've never participated in the opinion-giving process for guys' clothes.

I know what I like when I see it, I guess. I definitely know what I don't like when I see it.

I'm not bad at sweaters, dress shirts, polos, khakis, shoes even, blazers sometimes, belts maybe. But ties?

I have no idea.

Is this really my job? If so, I'm going to need some training.

Routinely out of schedule

2010-04-29T17:10:00.000-04:00

There's a popular book for business people operating in the Middle East called, "Don't They Know It's Friday?", which addresses the confusion over scheduling snafus resulting from Eastern v Western schedules. Friday is holy day in many Muslim countries and, therefore, not a working day. Our weeks generally operated on a Sunday-Thursday schedule and our neighbors in Oman were mostly Saturday-Wednesday (I think). Back home in the states, a typical work week is...

dependent, I guess, on what you do. I've always worked jobs that are structured on the Monday - Friday, but required a bit more than that - as Jacob's job right now does. Bless than man's hardworking heart, he is killing it every day except Sunday and a couple of hours on Monday. And not just 9-5. Oh, no. He is out the door most mornings at 8 and comes back in 12 hours later, if we're lucky.

So I'm routinely out of schedule. Even when I spend a couple of hours every day slacking off or exploring or daydreaming or reading, I'm still left with plenty of time to get my work done and still miss the man. What's a girl to do? Not that I'm complaining, mind you, just super appreciative of everything he's doing and hopefully expressing just how proud I am of all his hard work.

G L A M O..r not so much

2010-04-27T14:43:00.000-04:00

Today dawned beautifully, full of sun and clear skies - and such a relief after the last few days of grey. I was looking forward to my big household task of the day as I stepped outside to mow the grass. HELlo! Speaking of wake up call. It was like 45 degrees and WINDY! How can do they stand it up here? It should at least be warm enough to enjoy if you have to be outside doing yard work. C'mon!

Anyway, the real hilarity in all this is that, as I was sweating (in a fleece and patagonia tights) and toiling, pushing, pulling and coaxing the mower up hills of way overgrown grass and occasionally stepping in dog-dug holes in the backyard, Glamorous by Fergie came on my ipod.

Ha. Not so much.

Rainy Saturday

2010-04-24T17:20:00.000-04:00

Jacob now works Saturdays at this new job and his 12 hour days (plus commute) and 6 day a week schedule are a lot different from what we've had in the past. We knew this kind of change would come and, in a way, it's wonderful. I love waking up and seeing him off in the morning and, even more, I love it when I see him pulling into the driveway.

But, I have this observation: I'm thankful that I have work - and work that is flexible enough I can take it with me anywhere. Because, I have to think that being a housewife sans kids would bore me to death.

Well, maybe not if I had oodles of cash on hand and just shopped and worked out and was groomed all day by a dedicated staff.

...

Nope, I think I'd still be bored.

Anyway, I was planning an exploratory trip to the West Side Market today and, while much of it is indoors, I was really hoping for some nice weather and photography ops. It turned out to be a rainy Saturday and I just wasn't feeling that for traipsing around, so I stayed closer to the house.

Thanks again for the casa, P& J!

I'll have to save that one for next week, so stay tuned, but in the mean time: a little sampling of the Ohio spring and our new (temporary - although, aren't they all right now?) digs.

Rice-in

2010-04-24T09:39:00.001-04:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Remember when it was all the rage to send some kind of poisonous powder to some government office (and just for that line, I fattened up my FBI file for sure, just like all the little geniuses who joined that facebook group 'Dear Lord, this year you took my favorite actor Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress Farah Fawcett...yada yada, Barack Obama is my favorite president'. Don't you people know anything? If Al Gore invented the internet, Barack owns it - but I guess he is giving it away so, whatever right? Wrong. Add a page to all their files. Maybe two. And audit them).

Anyway. that was a major tangent and the point was, I made rice so bad the other day that it could have been poison. Thus 'Rice-in,' it's a play on words. Get it? Gah, what a waste. At least it's Saturday. It was, what I hope is a few-and-far-between black mark on my cooking record. It was rice porridge. It was rice soup. It was pure gluten in a pot. A pot which boiled over and spewed, well, I'm not going to describe it. I did take a picture of it, though. Mostly because it dried and peeled off the pan in these crinkled little rivulets that make you wonder just what is in the food you eat if this is what happens to it when you leave it alone for two seconds?! (Oh, and because my husband still did the dishes - even after being presented with that monstrosity for dinner)

So, I have been cut down to size once again. This is a sidenote that I think will inspire a new label called 'I was wrong'. This post is dedicated to my brother who, when he complained about not being able to cook rice, I teased. He has a rice cooker, now. And I am a sucker.

PS-I was so excited to read notes from people who know the GIANT EAGLE personally! Love it!

Giant Eagle to the rescue

2010-04-22T21:45:00.000-04:00

I've shopped in lot of different places in my time. I always enjoy open air markets, and then there are the places like a true butcher shop or "chicken guy," who kept live chickens inside his store and slaughtered them in front of you. I've done the mini mart for essentials, supermarkets (American, French, Moroccan) and boutique gourmet shops.

What I had never done, before today, was "Giant Eagle." Yes, that is the name of the leading supermarket up here. GIANT EAGLE. What?!

But it's true. And sort of glorious.

On a side note, today was the first time I've been grocery shopping for us in FOUR MONTHS! That's what you get, kids, when you live with family for months on end: spoiled. Which, is a clue to what's coming tomorrow here on thehardyheyday.

Baby, it's cold outside

2010-04-22T08:38:00.002-04:00

Have I mentioned Cleveland is cold?

Because it is.

The upside?

We get to see spring again, yay!

But it still stinks when you wake up and the floors are cold.

Baby Time (NO, not ours)

2010-04-21T19:03:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to get to snap a few shots of Josie during a laid back afternoon up here in Ohio (Cuyahoga Falls, to be precise). She and Phillip are expecting in just a couple of days, and she's barely had a shot taken of her pregnancy, so it was such an honor that she asked me to be a part of capturing this special time!

Since both Phillip's and Josie's families are abroad (Josie is Swedish and Phillip grew up between Lexington and Brussels), it's important to have photos so the family can be a part of things.

As you can see, and I already knew, Josie is absolutely gorgeous and I swear she hasn't gained an ounce of weight except baby. It's unbelievable.

We're so happy that we'll be here to welcome this little one to the world and experience this wonderful time with our friends.

I'm no professional, but I'd have to say that she'd make this an easy job for anyone.

The plank...

2010-04-21T09:46:00.000-04:00

There's a passage in the bible that discusses taking care of your own issues before getting up all over other people. It's in Matthew 7:3-5. It's familiar to parochial school kids, Sunday school grads (and dropouts), churchgoers, churchhaters and pretty much every kid/grown up who wanted to give an end-all reason some sibling/parent/significant other/friend/frienemy should mind his or her own business. I'm not about to go into the true theological thoughts on the depth of this biblical statement against hipocrisy, but I am going to tell you that's sure what I was thinking this morning...

But about myself, not someone else.

The verse basically says, 'you see a splinter in your friend's eye and you want to get it out for him, but you need to check yourself first because you're sporting a plank' and, hey, that might just affect your own eyesight.

So, back to this morning...or perhaps back to a couple of months ago when I started mining my mom's attic for some of my clothes. I pulled out a bunch of my old clothes - my 'old' clothes that are pretty and voluminous in the amount available and sometimes expensive and that scream SINGLE! FUN! GREAT JOB!

One of the selections I gingerly selected to remove from its protective plastic and begin wearing was a gorgeous pearl-gray Lewis Cho skirt made of so many layers of translucent silk chiffon. I cautioned Jacob as I carefully placed it, buffeted by tshirts, in the suitcase - that he must MUST be careful. Those layers get away from you, I said. It's silk. I love it, I said. It cost a half month's rent on our apartment, I said. Be careful.

So when I squared my shoulders and asked him, yesterday, if he remembered when I told him about that skirt, he looked at me - terrified - and said, 'Yes. I was careful. I didn't do anything. What did I do?'

And do you know why I love that man? Because when I told him I'd zipped it up in the suitcase (all by myself, in a rush, not being careful, not watching the layers) his first response was to ask if it was ok, not to be relieved that it wasn't him and, mercifully, not even to laugh at me (I totally deserved it).

You'll be happy to know that, after a good half an hour, I managed to extricate my skirt from the suitcase zipper - and they both came out no worse for the wear unlike, perhaps for the better, my attitude, which was better for the adjustment.

The Party Time

2010-04-20T15:21:00.000-04:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

For those of you following the saga of our car search - oh, wait, I haven't posted anything about the search because it's been a regional, tri-state area, budgetarily constraining, time consuming stressball (my mother in law blames cash for clunkers for taking all the used cars off the market so, like UK's loss this year, I blame this on Obama).

I'm going to pause to let that last one sink in. IT WAS A JOKE, KIDS.

But seriously, I've been trying to hide my utter desperation to be in full time possession of a vehicle because I didn't want to stress Jacob out even more. But now that things are settled, I can officially introduce you to...the Party Time.

What? What did you think PT stood for? Ok, I wasn't sure, either, but I figured with this kind of coloring, it had better be something peppy.

Here's to celebrating my new wheels and the fact that I will never ever lose it in the parking lot. Ever.

And now, it's Party Time!

Check your reflexes

2010-04-17T21:40:00.000-04:00

That would be your gag reflex. If you keep reading, it might matter...

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Jacob just texted to say he's on his way in from Cleveland. No matter what time you might stumble upon this, right now it's 9:30PM and he's looking down the barrel of a 5 hour drive. And he's been working 13 hour days this week. And he spent all day today moving our friends into their new house. And he's crazy.

I tried to talk him out of it. But he's coming anyway. So, I'll just say I can't wait! It's been a week away and I miss that boy like crazy.

And I'll also say, there was definitely the day when I would have talked him out of it at least in part because I haven't had time to clean up the clothes I've let explode all over the floor, manicure my nails, do my hair or at least shower. Is that growth or regression?

Vanity Project

2010-04-15T10:13:00.002-04:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

When I was younger, I used to wonder what my new name would be when I was a true “grown up” and would tie the knot; first as a little girl trying to imagine someone wanting to marry me and later when I had to imagine even wanting to get married at all. I’d make up names, borrow them from some actor or musician or even a classmate (rarely anyone I liked or dated because then it was...real...yuck), then pair them with my own in permutations of potential monikers.

My favorite included my first and last names with the last name of an Italian jazz pianist because he was cute, I didn’t know him personally and it made me sound like a mafia princess.

I wondered if I’d keep my last name or middle name, or both; with or without the husband’s name. Would it be an ethnic name or fully Americana? Would it lend itself to hyphenation? Would it be a name that paired with the kids’ names I’d thought up during some random daydream of the future? Even in the later days when I’d think it through, it was usually in the context of a letter addressed to me and the Mr., rather than the implications of a name change.

I wouldn’t change a thing about my life before Jacob, nor the time since - and I especially would never never trade my single life for earlier matrimony. Though my best friend from home kicked off the married life at the tender age of 19, I loved the extra 8 years I got. So, singles, go on, keep living your life, don’t jump in unless you really mean it, but if you hold out beware of the flip side. Getting married "later on" (as after college graduation is known here in the pseudoSouth) has its own implications. Since I graduated at 21 and started my career immediately, I’d worked for several years on my own and formed a network. A network that knew me (duh) by the only name I’d ever had - my maiden name.

Now, after a marriage and a year abroad, I find myself in the interesting position of making a reentry and a debut - two things not easily reconciled. My businesses have always been something about making friends and connections and now, as a consultant, it’s necessary to call back on some of those connections...and I find myself constantly manipulating a mouthful, spitting out my maiden name and last name in quick succession, never sure if I’ve been in contact with this person since I’ve been married and back in the county, never sure if they’d take my calls or recognize the name.

When I started back into the writing market, I was dedicated to including my married name in the byline. I made sure to change my name on other contact forms and in other venues. I’ve always wanted to take my husband’s name - I think it’s a sweet thing to do and one that symbolizes the joining of families - but the proof is in the legal pudding, I suppose...and I just haven’t been in the mood for pudding yet.

When we first got married, it was impossible to think about legally changing my name because we were traveling so extensively, there was never enough time to process all my paperwork. Now, however, the time is coming and I’m balking a bit.

That name and I - we go way back - personally and professionally and it’s a breakup with which I’m having a tough time (one of very few hard breakups, I’ll tell you). As I thought about it, though, the core values are still there. I want us to be identified together, as a family. I want our family to be united in name. The only thing that’s really holding me back, well, it’s just a bit of vanity, really.

I built a life under that name and for all the good memories and service it’s getting pushed to the middle position...well, it will sometime.

It’s on Facebook, though. That makes it totally official.

My Bachelorette Morning

2010-04-14T09:33:00.000-04:00

For the most part, my mornings without Jacob are similar to what they used to be before there was a morning companion (ok, and before I traded my steady day-job for consulting and freelance work, but you get the idea): I get up and make coffee, watch the today show and either get to work or the first appointment. Today, however, I started off the day by lounging in bed a little late and finishing off my latest read: The Blind Side.

Oh. My. Gosh. When my mom recommended this book, she said, "Annie! I picked up this book in the airport and you have to read it! It starts with the same quote (at the beginning) as the movie and it ends with a quote...FROM DWIGHT FREENEY!" In case you haven't read the profile, I'm a huge NFL fan and not even just that, a huge Indianapolis Colts, my hometown team, fan. Dwight Freeney's was the jersey my dad wore most recently, and that my husband wore at his first ever NFL game (Jacob was required to have name, college - Syracuse, position - the defensive end otherwise known as SACK, and basic info down - NFL's scary spinning sack machine will suffice - before he was allowed to wear the jersey).

I know the book's about Michael Oher - and his story is worth a read for sure. It's uplifting and encouraging, and it's just plain feel-good. I'm a God-fearin' woman, so seeing the Lord's work in this family was stunning and inspiring, but I also have to say, Michael Lewis, the author, does a tremendous job of detailing the development of defense in the NFL over the last 30 years. It's a fascinating read on the level of biography on Michael Oher (and to a degree the Tuohy family) AND the NFL itself in certain ways. Don't worry, if you aren't a football fan, there's enough to keep you going to through the stat-packed chapters discussing Bill Walsh's passing strategies. Think about it.

And now that I've had my neanderthal football moments...I'm headed to yoga.

Glee!

2010-04-13T22:31:00.000-04:00

Back in the Emirates, when I just didn't have that much to do with myself, I started watching Glee. Partly because I was bored, partly because, ok: I was in show choir in High School.

I mean, we didn't get slushies in the face, but it was a prospect that mixed misery with glory (ha, that's the ol drama queen coming out, thanks Rachel Berry*). Really, though, I totally loved my days with the Debtones and Sound System at CG, and I love that my first day of college, I met one of my now-best girlfriends and we bonded over our mutual participation in the costume-changing song-and-dance wannabe variety broadway show indulgences of a glee-like existence.

If you haven't seen the show, I'd definitely recommend it. The stereotypes are all there and the singing is great. It's a midwest romp and, yes, the name of the group is New Directions (think about it...sound it out), and we actually had one of those in my contest circuit. Plus, next week is Sue Sylvester's Vogue.

Strike a pose.

Ironing out the details

2010-04-12T13:36:00.000-04:00

It's a beautiful Kentucky spring day and one of the last I'll have full access to until who knows when. I should probably be outside enjoying it, except I'm inside, obsessing over the details of our next set of unknowns.

Jacob left this morning, headed to Cleveland, and away from me - at least until I can get all my ducks in a row (ok, our ducks) and join him. It just about broke my heart this morning, watching him drive away, which is a funny thing since the first 7 months of our relationship we were hardly together.

Anyway, the point is, there are so many things not done yet - here, in Cleveland - and I don't know how to get them all done, but I don't want to waste time. So, last night, I took on the role of laundress and had to prep Jacob with a wardrobe of suitable attire for any situation to last him for however long it takes for me to get up there.

What happened was, the obsession just didn't stop and I think I've ironed every piece of clothing iron-able. I've never had such flat clothes in all my life. Flat tshirts, jackets, dresses, skirts, scarves. I may not have all the details handled, but you could say they've been ironed.

Hope for the future

2010-04-07T10:06:00.000-04:00

Paula Deen on NBC's Today Show this morning:
"You can have a little bit of Savannah no matter where you are. You can have a little bit of Savannah in Cleveland, Ohio!"

Well, thanks for that, Paula. I'll keep you in mind.

In other news, did you know there's such a thing as a beer milkshake? Well, actually, it's a beer float.

Doesn't matter, though, because it's delicious. Just ask us girls. Mmmm...who knew, chocolate stout? Who knew.

Ice Cream + your favorite (or soon to be new favorite?) Chocolate Stout = Beer Float.

I suggest sampling it with your besties.

On the Road Again (FAQ Version)

2010-04-06T07:41:00.000-04:00

Nope, this isn't any tease, this is for reals. I said the next time I posted FAQ would be when we had news and...we do. Have news (No, not that news - sorry moms). We're hitting the road again for a new (temporary) home.

Starting next week, Jacob will be working in Cleveland, OH for his summer internship. So, we MBA-pursuing-Arabic-learning-formerly-yuppie-now-fully-hippie (hobos?) will pack up once more and head toward the next phase in this crazy life.

THUS, the FAQs:

What is this internship?
Jacob will be working with a company that specializes in residential roofing restoration and he'll be doing part time sales with them to learn the company and, in a short while, will structure and open the commercial side of their business.

Really? Cleveland?
Yeah, really Cleveland. But hey, at least it's the summer! And we do have some friends there, plus...hello...it's a job. J-O-B. Anyone checked out the numbers lately? Say it with me. "JOB."

What are you going to do?
Bake cookies, of course. HA! Not. I have been thinking about doing some handicraft kind of REAL Simple Martha Stewart Etsyware, but the majority of my time will be spent working for my marketing/PR clients and continuing to do some freelance writing (look for the my most recent articles in BG's latest magazine and BizLex's upcoming April 30 issue). If I have extra time, I think I'm going to revert to high school and get a mall job. MALL JOB! Discount, baby. Discount. Bookstore, Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic. Yeah, baby. Oh, and speaking of babies (ha, gotcha again), our dear friends Phillip and Josie are expecting their first and I'm looking forward to being close to them during this exciting time.

So, you're leaving again?
Yup, but that's no big surprise. I've been prepared to leave basically since we came back to Lexington. It does hurt that I've been enjoying so much great time with my bestest girlfriends (here and in Indy), but at least we made the most of it. Oh, and it's Keeneland time. Ouch. That's so not fair. C'est la vie. Also, with the work I've picked up, it will be necessary for me to get back here often, probably every other week or so.

How...?
OH, yes. So excited. We are about to be a gas-guzzling TWO CAR FAMILY! I mean, that's up from one which is up from a 2/9 share which is up from 0. Don't try to guilt me, I'm going to enjoy this. Whoopee! Freedom! NPR! (Not that I don't love that unique blend of rap and country tunes - kiss kiss, babe).

What else?
Jacob and I have been spending a bit of time working on my house downtown (where his sister and her friends live), which has been so teasingly fun. I get so excited thinking about one day when the house we work on and own will be the house in which we live. But it's also fun to always have a new change, a new challenge and a new norm. And so, on to that we move next...

wish us luck!

What's for Dinner Part 2

2010-04-05T18:53:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay, it's been a wild couple of days (more on this later). Here's the finishing to your dinner plans for...sometime...but maybe never. But...maybe sometime!

So, the salad...my favorite salad (except a close second is the grilled chicken and peach salad) is this gorgonzola apple salad.

Take your favorite salad mix or lettuces and toss with balsamic dressing. Add one small package walnut pieces, about 1/2 c gorgonzola and one granny smith apple chopped into small pieces. THIS IS IT! It's so great though, yum.

And now for the "light" (ha) dessert. Let mascarpone reach room temperature. Put in a mixing bowl or stand mixer. Mix on a low setting until the cheese is smooth, slowly add 1/2 cup of cream while mixing on low (be careful not to mix too much or too fast once the cream is in). When the two begin to incorporate, slowly begin to add 1/4 c powdered sugar and then a couple of drops of mint extract. Continue blending until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture begins to expand just slightly with air. Slice strawberries and set in dishes (you can use any berry - or fruit - of your liking). Scoop mixture next to or on top of berries and garnish with mint.

Now I'm kind of sad that I already made this and it's gone...sure sounds good on this lovely evening.

What's for dinner, Part 1

2010-04-01T09:34:00.000-04:00

If you're looking for something for dinner tonight, here's an easy menu from our last evening with Jacob's sister and her husband. The whole thing is super easy and totally tasty, but did I mention a light custard? I meant it tastes light...not much diet here...

This roasted chicken + mashed potatoes + apple walnut salad + insert dessert here = classic around my house and has been for a long time. Chances are if you've been over for dinner you've had it...

Roasted Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary
Purchase a whole roaster (3-4lbs)
3-4 cloves minced garlic
1 lemon
2-3 sprigs rosemary
3 T olive oil
1 t salt
2T pepper

Remove any interior leftovers from the chicken and make sure cavity is clean. Mix olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic and set aside. Quarter lemon and set aside. Spoon olive oil mixture over chicken and rub in all over the skin. Also spoon mixture inside and rub inside cavity. After all the mixture is gone, insert the quartered lemon into the cavity along with two sprigs of rosemary. Insert one sprig of rosemary under the skin at the neck. Bake at 450 degrees for :30 on the center rack and then turn down heat to 350 and continue baking for an additional hour.

While the chicken is baking, work on your potatoes

Mashed Red potatoes
Red potatoes (depending on size, I usually choose 3-4 potatoes per person), chopped into large chunks
1/2 stick of butter
Milk or cream to taste
salt
pepper

Put potatoes in a large pot, cover with cool water and set to boil. When the potatoes are soft enough to mash with only a little resistance, drain them and return to pot or mixing bowl. Put in butter, milk or cream and salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes, mixing in other ingredients as you go. Once they are mostly mashed, take a little test bite and add butter or milk if they aren't creamy enough or a bit of additional salt and pepper.

I'll be back in just a few for the salad and dessert recipes.

If you're making your grocery list, though, you'll also need a package of your favorite salad greens or raw lettuces to mix, Ken's steakhouse lite balsamic dressing, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, 1 sm pkg mascarpone cheese, 1 pint whipping cream, powdered sugar, berries and mint.

Hammocky Afternoon to you, too

2010-03-31T18:18:00.000-04:00

We know sooner rather than later, we won't have afternoons with the only demands pressing on us those that can be handled from a shared hammock. But for now, we'll take it.

I just started fixing dinner and this is going to be a meal I share recipes for (probably tomorrow so I can return to the stoveside and not ruin it for tonight!).

Mmmm. My favorite roasted chicken; no-fail mashed potatoes; a classic salad and a yummy yummy Italian custard with berries and mint.

Spring Green

2010-03-30T21:31:00.000-04:00

Ange, Me and Elisabeth (and Bama) working it out on the trails

The Arboretum was packed this afternoon with people and dogs walking and running and playing and generally being friendly. It was a blissful way to spend time being friendly with some of my friends.

And it was a heel day - a productive one at that! Plus we were friendly and we ran (a little) before devouring pasta with a butter-garlic-cheese sauce.

Inspired by Rue's recipe (the downstairs neighbor) and prepared by my sweet friend Elisabeth, here's a delightful indulgence for when you've earned it (or at least dressed for it or thought about it or wanted to do it).

Rue de la Pasta
Penne Pasta
1 pkg. Gorgonzola
1 stick butter
3 cloves garlic (or to taste)
Olive Oil
Fresh basil, chopped
Squeeze of lemon
salt
pepper

Boil water with a pinch of salt and prepare Penne al dente.

While pasta is cooking, put about a tablespoon of butter in a shallow, wide saucepan and sautee garlic until tender. Add remaining butter and melt slowly, adding gorgonzola after the butter is mostly melted and stir until incorporated. Salt to taste and grind fresh pepper into sauce, then squeeze a quarter of a lemon into the sauce.

Drain pasta and toss with sauce until pasta is coated, scoop onto plates and sprinkle with fresh basil.

Baby Crazy

2010-03-29T16:46:00.000-04:00

The highlight of my time at home was spending time with my girlfriends and their kiddos. One morning, Sarah and I went to hit up one of those charity mega-consignment shops to look for some goodies for baby Mia.

Though there are lots of friends having and raising babes right now (and yay for them - especially Amber, who just welcomed James Bennett and Michelle, Josie and Jessica, who are expecting soon!), I have to wonder if 9 months after we decide to have kids will be enough to prepare me for this!

Indy City

2010-03-26T08:50:00.000-04:00

For those who know me, home.

For those who know basketball, home of the 2010 final four.

I've loved the last couple of days in Indy, getting to hang with lots of friends from way back and living sort of independently (Jacob returned to Lexington, graciously, so I could hang with my mommy friends girl-on-girl-on-kids), and while I love the Indy city, I'm excited to return home soon!

Raspberries

2010-03-24T21:52:00.000-04:00

I spent tonight indulging in the kind of cocktails that help me believe I'm still a functioning member of the business world. But what about the business class?

I met up with a girlfriend and her colleague for drinks and social hour at the only-in-career-terms-happy hour of about 7:00PM. I enjoyed a gorgeous and tasty champagne concoction (I love the bub, what can I say?) that featured fresh, plump, pink raspberries buoyed on a sea of sparkles laced with liquor.

What, I ask you, what would you do? Faced with the obvious embarrassment of giving in to my epicurean desires to tip up the glass and tap away until the gorgeous fruit was released from the vice-grip of the flute's suction or, well...make a good impression, I chose...

to order another, naturally.

You would, too. Try mixing just about a tsp of the fabulous French Chambord in a flute with your favorite champagne, sparkling wine or prosecco and garnish with one of spring's favorite fruits: raspberries.

Friday Night Special

2010-03-22T13:51:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned before that being married has great benefits - one of my favorites is getting to meet new friends (it's especially fun when the friends have known your hubbie since high school and have all the good old dirt on him!). We had a fab Friday night with a couple-a-couples and their baby beans. There was baby bonding with the adorable Cali and Hudson...

Grant and Cali at the O Homestead

As well as adult time centered around the first grilled meal of the season (cheers! It was so good, I added the recipe below), storytelling and responsible levels of goofiness. Thanks to Bo, G, Grant, Kendall and the kiddos for a fab Friday!

Yup, that's wine with a straw. Why? How do you do it?

And, to spread the cookout cheer and head into official spring, here's a tasty grilled salad that guys and girls alike can dig. And it's easy! Credit: Kendall by way of a back issue of Real Simple (man, I love that magazine).

Serves 4

2 Peaches, sliced, pitted

3 Red onions, sliced generously

4 Chicken Breasts

Spring Mix (or other green mix as you like)

Gorgonzola Cheese, crumbled

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Balsamic Vinegar

Brush peach and onion slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper (yes, even the peaches - you might be surprised to find the sweetness of the onion that results from the caramelizing sometimes makes them even sweeter than the peaches!). Also season chicken breasts with olive oil and salt and pepper. Grill all three until chicken is cooked through and onions and peaches are cooked to taste (I like mine blackened a bit and cooked past crispy, but still a bit firm). Spread greens on a plate and top with sliced chicken, peaches and onions, sprinkle with gorgonzola and dress with a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Delicious! Happy grilling and happy spring!

Jumpin' Java

2010-03-19T06:29:00.000-04:00

Remember what I said about those days with heels? How I feel so much better about myself? Well, today's one of those days and it's starting out (as many of the heel-days do) as an early one. Now I'm wondering if I feel so much better about myself because of the heels or because of the caffeine that gets into my blood stream earlier and in higher quantity.

Speaking of caffeine...it's getting close to 6:30 am and I can hear the finishing percolation calling my name.

PS-Cats make it through first round of NCAA tourney! March Madness continues in the Bluegrass!

Sushi Staycation

2010-03-18T09:31:00.000-04:00

Life has changed a lot for us in the last few months, right? No surprise there. Our vacations used to include spots like Morocco, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, France, Egypt and Jordan.

Now our spot is mainly Chez Brown. Whenever my girlfriend and her hubbie take time away from the old homestead we step in as house- and dogsitters/squatters/vacationers. This time they even took the adorable pup with them, and we've been left with a real staycation. Still in town, still working, but when we come home at the end of the night - it's just to each other, and all the goofiness and lightheartedness of the life of two young marrieds (sans kiddos) on their own.

Tonight, for example, we reveled in the bliss of a living room all to ourselves, takeout sushi, and a few adult bevvies while enjoying a St. Pats marathon of mythbusters (all focused on busting at least one drinking myth) and contemplating how we plan to execute the master plan of making salad cars out of the newest VW model Routan (by labeling them all with an additional C).

I love laughing with Jacob and just being goofy. I'm so lucky to have a fun and equally goofy husband.

Milk...does a body good

2010-03-17T10:12:00.000-04:00

One of the great things (most of the time) about our crazy little situation (intermittent work and unusual living arrangements) is that we get to have a lot of time together - I especially love time in the mornings, probably because I enjoy morning time anyway. It's also a time that, once "normal" life (what? what is that?) resumes, we might not have.

So, we do have a little bit of a routine, which involves me getting up and making coffee and usually flipping on the Today Show (I know, I know) and then Jacob comes in and gets a bowl of cereal and we both work on our computers for a little bit.

Recently, I've been reflecting on this little tradition and I've gotten a glimpse of ourselves as a much older version of ourselves (possibly living in our kids' basement instead of my in-laws basement). It's funny because it's true and it involves Jacob persisting with his argument that "there's just nothing better in the morning than a little milk and a little fiber to get you started," explaining why he likes cereal only for breakfast and me continuing to make excuses for watching ridiculous shows like the Today Show's fourth hour with Hoda Kotb and Kathy Lee Gifford (there really is no excuse, btw).

Window Shopping

2010-03-16T13:29:00.000-04:00

Upon recent invitation from a friend, I signed up to receive membership (read: promotional emails) from a couple of web sites that sell designer season-old shrug-offs for major discounts. There are so many beautiful things and I'd love to spend at least a few (ok, many) of my dollars on: a Nanette Lepore skirt or maybe something tiny from LaPerla or even some hand-engraved cards or jewelry, heaven forbid. The fact is, we're not spending money on rent right now, let alone luxury items.

I don't say this to complain because even back in the "big money" single girl days, buying something like that would still be the exception, rather than the rule, I say this because I am amazed that people can just plop down $1K on a dress or undies or jewelry for an impulse buy.

You may say, 'it's not necessarily an impulse buy,' but that's the whole structure. The sales are designed to drive you to action - they are exclusive, there are limited quantities, discounted prices and - time limits! If you think that you'll just take a moment to check the balance sheet before buying the bag, you'll return to find a nasty little sold out label on the item's pic. You may even find the sold out items reappearing at the bottom of the page by the time you finish scrolling to the bottom when they were still available when you started.

It's ingenious! And staggering, I must say. Who are these people who can buy this

before I even have time to finish my daydream about it? Well, there's always the wait list.

Love and Basketball

2010-03-15T10:09:00.000-04:00

It's no secret I bleed blue. Go Blue, Big Blue, Blue Nation. But my blue game has always been horse, not cat. Of course, I've supported the hometown team, and I've even been to several games, but now that I'm officially married into a Kentucky family, basketball is officially mixing with love.

But that's ok, it's actually pretty fun. And it's a nice salve on the end of glorious football seasons that always leave me feeling so hollow. Plus, this year's been a banner year for the C-A-T-S Cats, Cats Cats!

Congrats to the SEC Champs and here's to you looking forward to this year's trip to my own hometown: Indy! PS-Blue is a great color to wear up there.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

2010-03-13T09:45:00.001-05:00

In our time of transience, I've been doing what I can to stay productive, helpful and sane. That roughly translates to a partial stay-at-home mom existence of daytime bible studies, laundry, workouts and getting kids off the bus partnered with the working girl dream of doing freelance writing and marketing/PR consulting work on a very flexible schedule (I'm available! Call me!).

Of course, that flexible schedule sometimes means meetings at odd hours, like this morning, when I'll be doing some client work. And I'll be doing it from the couch - in my bathrobe (have I mentioned that I love this flex schedule thing?). It's a good thing that I have some meetings that get me out of the house, though. I dig the bathrobe thing, but I think I respect myself more when I'm wearing a pair of heels...

This works for the time being.

Trying on a Life

2010-03-08T19:17:00.001-05:00

Nearly three months ago, we made our big return - to our friends, family, lives - in a way. But, however you feel about the statement "you can't go home," (is it metaphorical or literal?) when you try, it's always different.

So, I find myself tonight trying on a life (and blogging about it - because even though I don't think my day to day is that interesting, the last couple of weeks have brought requests for revival) even though I'm home.

There are some things to which return and they are blissfully the same - my iTunes library (recently re-discovered), The Bachelor wine nights with my best girlfriends in Lex (and, puzzlingly, the bachelorettes - same drama), the fact that I love driving around with the windows down, and working.

There are lots of things, however, that are incredibly, disturbingly, wonderfully different. My best friend has a baby! Not just any baby - a miracle baby who I adore. Lots of buds have babies, actually. I could have a baby (no, we aren't even trying, but it's that whole marriage thing - I could! Whoa...) I don't have a steady job, so I'm doing marketing and pr consulting work as well as freelancing (too bad for Obama my entrepreneurial efforts don't count for the jobs numbers) - which I have discovered I love (lots of freedom, but also allows me to be self-motivated). My fab husband and I are homeless homeowners (the house is rented, remember), so we live in my in-laws basement (remember?), which brings me to trying on a life today...

My sweet mother in law (yep, actually really love her) is on a vacation with a friend - for 10 days! There is no one in the world who deserves this more, and I'm so happy she could take this break and we can be here to help support the family in the mean time, but that leaves me the sole female in a house with my father- and brothers-in-law as well as my husband. So I've just sent the hubbie to BSF, the in-laws to boyscouts and I'm left with the dishes.

Don't cry for me, though, I only cooked a frozen casserole pre-prepared by said genius MIL and I'm also left with a miraculously quiet house (except the blaring iTunes!) and a glass of wine as I tidy up and wonder about the future...

Just a little fun sample from a new discovery (the hipstamatic app for iPhone - LOVE IT! Must for medium format photography lovers/owners/wishers):

Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

FAQ - Again

2010-01-13T18:31:00.001-05:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Most of you all know that we've made the move back to the states, but there are still questions that pop up everywhere, so here are the answers and updates.

First of all, let's clarify this question, "What does a move mean to you?"
For us right now, a move constitutes a timeframe longer than a month that includes the transportation of necessary posessions, which include for us - clothes, books and toiletries sufficient for a long trip. It may or may not include permanent housing, jobs or private toilets.

Where are you?
We are basing our little operation in Lexington, Ky., since that's been the most recent professional home for both of us and also includes a lot of contacts and enough family to help us out with things in the near-term. We are making frequent trips to Indianapolis, of course, especially until February when football season lamentably ends.

So...where do you live?
Why? You know a place? Just kidding (sort of).

We bumped around from family spot to family spot during the holidays, then a quick stint as house- and dog-sitters for our buds, the Browns. This week we officially make home in the basement of Jacob's parents.

Every time I tell people this, they give me a look that is dubious and questioning and sympathetic, then say something along the lines of, "Oh. And how is that?" The answer is, there are two younger brothers and a mother and father living full time in the house, plus two other sisters who come and go a bunch, plus us - the newest addition to this boiling stew of madness. It's nearly always buzzing in that place and there are enough people milling through to take up every room in the house if they so chose to divide in such a manner. But that comes with a lot of really fun stuff like impromptu movie afternoons with roaring fires and lots of people stuffed onto couches together, family dinners, and lots of opportunity to catch a member of my new family for a little chat. Plus, need I say it? Toilets that flush. Toilets. That. FLUSH. Like, without a bucket. Woohoo!

Where are you going next?
Ha. If I knew, I'd let you know (as soon as I packed...again). Places on the dockett include returning to the middle east as well as European locales, but the closer we inch to the summer, the longer of a shot those spots are. More likely destinations include Lexington, South Carolina, Florida, California, Nebraska, Arizona, Washington and, basically, anywhere in the United States.

We move to South Carolina in August for Jacob's final two semesters of graduate school and will stay there through graduation in May of 2011.

What are you doing right now?
Why? You want to hang out? Just kidding (sort of).

Jacob continues in the internship search, so he is following up on a lot of applications and resume submissions and is interviewing for positions. He is searching for work in operations and/or product management. He needs three months of experience before we start school again in August.

I am working on self-busyness and improvement by enrolling in Bible Study Fellowship and begining freelance work, the first article coming in Business Lexington last week (yay!) See it here. I'm also doing all the things I always thought about doing when I was working full time and thinking about all the people parading by my window. Those things include cooking, organizing (whatever I have unpacked, that is), socializing and volunteering.

How long have you been married?
Yay! Fun question. Just over a year!

Are you crazy?
Still yes. :)

How's married life?
Still good, humdul'allah! We have a whole new set of things to adjust to right now like both of us being between work, having lots of available friends and things to do, living with family and, hello, being in the United States of America, but everything is good. In the words of my mom, "I'm so glad you still like each other even after the last year." Then Jacob, "We even still LOVE each other." Ahhh...and I do. Love that guy.

Are you abroad-sick? Do you miss things from back there?
Of course! We miss lots of things from overseas, like our friends (both expat and local), being in the midst of a culture that requires constant learning and flexibility and the 70-degree weather we just left (though I'm LOVING the snow!). Not to mention all the Indian food we are used to eating!

What are some of the best things about being home?
Of course family and friends, my dog; plus driving on my own and SNOW (did I mention it's been snowing here?), seeing Mia (check her progress here) and Britt, my hair guru (check her out, too - and if you're in Lex, you should just go).

Where did you go, again?
Morocco for two months, including stops in Fez, Meknes, Volubulis and Marrakech. We also hit up Italy (Rome and Florence) and then made the move to Oman, during which time we traveled to Sohar and Muscat and also Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Emirates. We went to Jordan in the spring and then the US and on our way back we spent a week in France, with our final stop before home in Egypt. Most of the photos have made it to facebook via the blog or albums. Check them out!

Any other questions? Just let me know.

By(line) the way...

2010-01-10T16:02:00.002-05:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Former colleagues (though thankfully not former friends) at Smiley Pete Publishing are the first to give me (and my new byline) the opportunity to re-start writing - at least in a freelance capacity.

One small step for Anne...one giant leap for Anne Sabatino Hardy.

Business Lexington-Breaking News
January 08, 2010
Mayor avoids layoffs in budget cuts
$12.5 million slashed from budget includes employee furloughs
by Anne Sabatino Hardy

Check it out!

The...grind?

2010-01-04T14:26:00.000-05:00

We have officially passed the frenzied holiday season and so this first full working week of the New Year - and new decade - finds me...sitting on the couch? Yes, culture shock is upon me.

For the first time in my adult life I am unscheduled and unbusy and unsure of what to do with myself. I wasn't the type who took off summers to traverse Europe or do study abroad or schlep around to music festivals - tempting as all those things were and still are - I just felt like I needed to work. I wanted to work. So I worked. And when I got a break (or got married!) I filled in the holes of those wished-for experiences the best I could with vacations allowed from the grown-up grind.

Now we are back in the states and Jacob is spending days looking for internships while I dream about how to fill this free time without wasting it. So far freelancing for a couple of local publications is on the dockett as well as visiting with friends and maybe some volunteer opportunities with church or community organizations. It's a dream come true in a way. I just hope I don't dream it away...

Action!

Off the Grid

2010-01-02T13:58:00.001-05:00

After the slightly grueling 16-hour flight from Abu Dhabi to Chicago (enough to make you a child-hating-tetris-addicted-hypochondriac-alcoholic), and a mercifully uneventful pass through customs, we made it home for the holidays.

Not surprisingly, we have spent the better part of our time in the last couple of weeks with family - celebrating Christmas and catching up - and we've even snuck in some time with our besties along the way. Regardless, we've been off the grid since we got back. No blog posts, limited facebook, email and even phone or text time.

The time has been pretty eventful, though, including Christmas with both sides of our families, a new baby for some close friends and celebrations of the New Year.

Christmas Morning with my sweet in-laws

New Year's Eve with old time friends

Hanging with Grant and Kendall (Team O) on New Year's Eve afternoon

And what a difference a day makes! Daddy Grant with baby Calloway (12-31-09, 7lbs-4oz!) and Jacob.

Getting in on the traditional Hardy New Year's Day bowling event.

And more of the ladies on bowling day...(back to front, left to right) Momma Hardy, Momma Sab, Aunt Mary, Momma Suff and Aunt Jaqui.

أشوفكم انشالله

2009-12-10T03:45:00.000-05:00

I have a little break in the action, so to speak, as I wait for our last load of laundry to dry so I can pack it up. Our wardrobe is empty, as the drawers and the cabinets, stuff is piled everywhere - whatever clothes escaped the cotton-chewing insects which plagued us as well as souveniers and books and little scraps of memories. Perhaps, looking at all the things in the latter categories, it's better some of our clothes won't make the return trip!

The last couple of days have been full of sweet sendoffs from our friends here. Friends from different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs and situations who all gave us something during our time here. Lessons, support, tips, rides, meals, family, faith, perspectives, a seat in their homes, a place in their lives. We have one more full day in Buraimi, Oman and then it's an early day on Saturday when we'll head to Abu Dhabi and wing our way West.

الله يلوم when we'll be back (God knows), or if, but they have a saying here when you leave, even for the day and it's been used more than a few times the last few days: أشوفكم انشالله, which means, "I'll see you, God willing."

FAIL

2009-12-08T00:54:00.000-05:00

One of the things I'll certainly bring home is the big, bubble-wrapped-with-a-bow-and-shiny-paper-present of memories of tourist and expat FAILS we've experienced here and during travels. Now, it's one thing to be inappropriately dressed for the weather in Italy or sporting an offbeat or unique ensemble in Paris. It's another thing entirely to be caught wearing a normal everyday summer outfit here in the desert (outside of the sacred walls of the Hilton - aka buraimi expat oasis), where anonymity and modesty rule the runways of mall fashion.

What this often means for those of us not qualified to wear a full-time abayya (Never have to pick out an outfit! Always appropriate!) or sheila (Never have to do your hair! Not fair!), is that often we end up wearing maternity-looking long shirts over loose-fitting jeans or 1st-grade-sunday-school-teacher-inspired long skirts (yes, ugh, denim...sometimes kahki). Always long sleeves, always long pants. Fashion, my friends, is not something I've conquered here.

So, you have the choice of looking a bit frump (some of my friends with longer time spent in the area have mastered it), or being inappropriate to a degree (some have bucked it - with varying results). Every person has to decide their own levels. I, for example, will sometimes wear a knee-length dress with a sweater in Dubai or I may even just opt for short sleeves with my jeans. This aggression will not stand (in Buraimi), man.

Other expats and visitors have shown notably less caution in their decisions. Sometimes they're uncautions in the style choosing things like gold lamee. Sometimes they're uncautions in choosing things that are revealing like tube tops. Sometimes it's both (Gold? Lamee? Tube Top? Whaaa...? Ooohhhh, she's English...). Always it's a FAIL.

I wish that Miriam (a fellow collector) and I had more concrete examples to bring back with us (you can't always be at the ready with a hulking D90 in the mall), but in Egypt I found a couple of stand outs that will have to tide us over and prod our memories when the summer winds warm back home and the inappropriately dressed come out...

This is a rare sighting - the maleFAIL. Yes, they are often dressed in unsightly manners, but it's much harder to achieve levels of appropriateness-FAIL for men. But this guy...Wraps. It. Up.

Skinny white dude

In no sleeves

SHORT SHORTS!

Guthra

Extra bonus neg for amount of white, hairy leg exposed and possible wedge-picking

This is also a special kind of FAIL. It's the tourist FAIL. Look at this photo and you may notice that, yes, she's dressed in a sort-of-modest manner. Look closer and you'll see the FAIL.

WEARING the belly dancing scarf with coins that jingle while you walk (obviously purchased at souk prior to arrival at monument)

WEARING the matching headpiece (the one that is a woven/beaded skullcap of glitter and coins and comes free with the belly-dancing-scarf because you are a good, good friend of the stall owner who sold you this monstrosity and promised you the "local" price. HINT: Locals don't wear this.)

This post is dedicated to Miriam and all the attempting to be appropriate girls out there. It's also dedicated to Paula, Jenny V. and Jessie V, just in case you needed any help on the true meaning of FAIL!

Inventory

2009-12-07T01:28:00.000-05:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Part of our leaving here is the dreaded...packing. This is a special kind of packing, though, one that falls just out of the difficulty of packing everything (we only have four suitcases) and just past the ease of short trip (WE ONLY HAVE FOUR SUITCASES!). This week, while Jacob labors in his last week of lessons, I volunteered to stay home and finish the detail things to get us ready to go so that our evenings can be spent alternately on time with friends or job searching.

So, in a flash I'm taken back to this time last year, when another frantic pack-a-thon was in progress, but one that involved nearly four years of accumulated stuff, from clothes (yes, I have to admit it, my clothes were in my dresser, my closet, the dining room closet and the guest room/office closet) to inherited furniture, the robot vaccum (bought to clean up after the puppy) to the dog himself - all while a For Sale sign hovered over the front yard like my mom all those times I refused to clean my room for weeks on end.

The rest of the story, as you may know, is that the clothes got packed or thrown out (lots of things thrown out, thank goodness, but what to wear when we get home?), furniture placed in foster care or storage, vaccum junked and dog relocated to mom's house. My sister-in-law and her girlfriends now occupy the little house in Chevy Chase and Jacob and I took up residence in one of several abodes, the last of which being this little flat in Buraimi.

And now we leave.

We'll leave the things I put in the sale/giveaway list: things like pots, pans, dishes, basil plant, coffee maker, ginkgo leaves and all the toy prizes from all those Kinder Suprise Eggs. We'll bring home souveniers, gifts and whatever posessions make the cut...but what else?

Lots of memories...of our trips and experiences, but also lots of friends!

Messr Memories

2009-12-04T14:10:00.000-05:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

We returned from Egypt just this morning on a redeye flight from Alexandria to Sharjah and, after sleeping off a long day, I'm ready to post a preview of pics from our trip. The day started with visiting the only - of seven original - remaining, in tact wonder of the world: The great pyramid of Khufu and ended with a 2:30 am flight from a podunk Egyptian airport on a budget airline. But, we made it safe and sound and much edified and entertained by the time spent.

Jacob and our "friend" Mahmoud (friendship is cheap at Egyptian landmarks - usually about EL1)

Inspecting ancient hyroglyphics - I always wanted to be an archeologist.

Sunset over the Nile from the roof of our hotel in Luxor.

Felucca on the Nile at sunset.

And, the "money shot" of the trip.

Eid Break II

2009-11-28T05:33:00.000-05:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving turned out to be a wonderful day for us - even so far away from family - more on that later (including pics of the yummy food and fab folks)! I hope it was the same for you.

Right now, Jacob and I are frantically scurrying around to get packed and get out...of here for a little while - on our last great adventure: Egypt.

Oh, you can be sure there will be lots more pics to come!

الحمدلله (Thanks to God)

2009-11-25T04:15:00.006-05:00

Halal Turkey
AED 367.33

Cans of pumpkin puree from expat specialty store for traditional pie
AED 182.78

Sweet potatoes for hubby's favorite casserole
AED 0 (they don't exist here)

Fresh cranberries for traditional sauce
AED 0 (they don't exist here)

Having expat friends who now all the tricks of holidays abroad - and who graciously host us in their homes
Priceless

Here's to a Happy Thanksgiving for you, wherever you are, whatever you eat!

Clinically Insane, perhaps...

2009-11-23T03:38:00.001-05:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

Talking with my mother-in-law last night, she said something that many of our closest family and friends have (probably) always thought, but never really said, "You guys did a crazy thing, running off with someone you barely even knew." Yeah, we all laughed about it and made offhand comments about running away and making insane choices and all, but none of those ever matched the feeling I percieved last night that spoke to me and said, "No, really. What you did...that whole getting married in six months to a relative stranger (I think you realize that after being married for a little while - how little you know at first) moving abroad for a year...that. Was. C-r-a-z-y. Like, clinically insane."

Maybe someone did look us dead in the eyes and say that, but I don't think we ever heard it. What we did hear were comments like those from a dear friend of Jacob's in respose to Jacob's statement, "I can't just marry her and take her overseas after six months!" Phillip's answer: "Why not?" (Do you know how many times I've silently thanked God for Phillip?!)

Maybe if we had heard it, we might have chickened out or something. But probably not. I guess it's safe now to hear it, since we made it. Our young marriage still has a lot of room to grow and, insh'allah, many years in which to grow, but we have bonded through the fun times and through what we call "marriage boot camp times."

A Buraimi Sunset, surprisingly beautiful this time of year. It's like the sunset of our time here...I'm so deep.

Even though I treasure our adventure-seeking and sojourning around this area of the world, I think my favorite things from this experience include having some humdinger miscommunications and disagreements and getting through them - maybe not always well, but getting through them and learning from them. Knowing that no matter who's fault it was, I still love him and he still loves me. Another thing I treasure is our time together. I know I've said this before, but we have been spending more time the last few days just hanging out with each other and holding hands or reading next to each other. Proximity, man, it's key. That way, when something comes to our minds we can just talk about it. I hope we're able to always cut out some time to just be together. And our collaboration on something so huge - our mutual investment and commitment to a big decision, then seeing it through.

When we left the states, we'd just had a weddding, but I feel like we're coming back with a marriage.

Look how happy - and how clueless! Ha! Jokes on you, selves of 11 months ago! But it all turns out well...

Sous much more...

2009-11-21T16:59:00.001-05:00

Thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

I am the luckiest girl in the world.

I have a husband who loves me well and enthusiastically and creatively and thoughtfully.

When he wakes up before me, he always puts away the clean dishes and starts the coffee.

While I'm just down the aisle at the grocery store, he buys me flowers.

Every time I see him whether it's because I was in the other room or out of the apartment all day, he comes up and wraps his arms around me and kisses me.

He works with me through our miscommunications and disagreements so patiently.

And, even though prior to marraige, I was used to my kitchen being a one-woman show, he has turned out to be the best sous chef I could have ever (not) asked for.

And that's just the start of it...

You belong in a zoo

2009-11-21T04:00:00.001-05:00

We celebrated two birthdays this week for wee ones belonging to my small group girls at the Al Ain Zoo, what a treat! It was our first time at the zoo here and we had a blast!

A few shots from the afternoon - we felt like kids again oohing and ahhing at all the animals and crowding around for feeding time in the "African Safari" section - my favorite. When did I stop going to the zoo? It's such a great place!

First off, let's all be honest and admit it - part of the fun is watching the animals and part of the fun is watching the people...

Flamingoes!

Feeding time at the 'African Safari'

"How many kids can get on the see-saw at once?"

Oskar!

And our other birthday boy, Nathaniel, with sis Amelia.

The Taweel and Causeer of it (The Long and Short of it)

2009-11-18T05:11:00.001-05:00

The Hardy Heyday

I was followed around and then propositioned at Carrefour (the grocery, essentially) last night.

In the toy section.

By an Arab man who was shopping with his wife and kids who were in the next aisle.

Gross! And I thought these types of come-ons were like urban-gulf-myths!

I called on my Arabic to rebuff him, and then called on some of my friends (mostly girlfriends who have been here longer and experienced this situation before) for a few laughs.

I used to be good at eviscerating crude and inappropriate men, but it's different here, being in this culture - and being a woman, so I've asked a few of my Arab girlfriends, and other girlfriends who have experienced this apparently very common occurance. They unanimously said to loudly proclaim ("so they many hear you") that this was a bad thing (!) and that you were going to go to the police RIGHT NOW and report him ("You say things too loud so you frighten them very much and God shame them")!

I knew I liked these girls for a reason.

Hello there, old friend

2009-11-14T11:56:00.000-05:00

It's been a while, hasn't it? Too long, I suppose, but we've been dedicating all our free time to Jacob's internship searching and to doing everything we want to check off the list around here since we have less than a month until we get home!

One of the things that we enjoy here, but don't do often is hit up a spot called Leisure Cafe in Al Ain. It's one of those places that is lazem (necessary) to take friends and family who are visiting. That's why, when Matthew's momma came into town to visit not too long ago, we took the whole crew over there for dinner, sheesha and drinks (ie 'mocktails,' or juice blends, and coffee or tea).

A few pics long overdue:

The Crew

All the girls - before we were one down. Miss you Els!

Jacob pouring some delicious Moroccan Mint Tea - one of the fave things we'll bring back.

Cheers from the Hardys!

Eid Spooky?

2009-10-31T16:15:00.000-04:00

There's no such thing as Halloween here, so we didn't really make plans for the evening. Just an afternoon of laundry and internship searching. Miriam and Aaron came over this evening to play cards and we briefly noted the passage of, in Aaron's words, "Eid Spooky."

Then, a text. Leigh had sent us a little Halloween greeting and outside our doors (between M&A's and our apartment), a carved watermelon!

It totally made our evening and we couldn't resist a couple of quick shots...

What did you all and your friends/kids/pets dress as?

Love the One You're With

2009-10-28T04:33:00.000-04:00

No, not Jacob. Of course I love him - he's the one I love and the one I'm with (sorry Stephen Stills, I need it both ways - no compromisin' - even if you are one heck of a singer/songwriter). The season, the situation, perhaps. And my sweet husband came up with an original craft idea (two great things in one!) to help me deal with missing things at home like the fall leaves - which his mom has been, according to reports, kicking up for me faithfully.

We stopped at Lulu Hypermarket (the "super" markets at home are the "hyper" markets of the Middle East) and picked up groceries and some really really tacky-looking gold contact paper (where do they use this?) so I could craft some hand-made gingko leaves to adorn our little flat.

So, the Oman autumn has decended for the Hardys...humdul'allah.

Messin' on Messr

2009-10-25T11:35:00.000-04:00

After much debate and chasing down of airline offices (do those even exist in the US anymore) due to faulty web programming, we finally have it arranged. In about a month, Jacob and I will embark on our last (for now?) stop on the Mid-East express and stage 7 of the honeymoon: Egypt.

My favorite section in elementary ancient history (ok, and later, too) will open up beyond the toothpick and styro-constructed tombs and pyramids and I can't wait to see it all with the hubby!

Oh, and the other part of this travelogue-blog entry? We'll return the 4th of December, pack it up, make one last stop in the capital city of Abu Dhabi to meet up with the venerable W and his crew at a conference and then hit the Etihad Airways to return home for the holidays.

Dubai it all over again

2009-10-22T16:15:00.001-04:00

We had a long weekend and a short break from school, so we took it upon ourselves to make a break from internship searching and Buraimi along with Miriam and Aaron - to Dubai. We had a few "check it off the list" things to do (or attempt to do) and we, of course, hit the bookstores (as always) - because we are big dorks.

One of the attempted checkmarks was the much-talked-about Burj Dubai (now tallest building in the world?) observation deck. CLOSED. Boo. Although signage and gossip seemed to indicate it was open, we tried every which way to get in and had no success. We had to settle for an outside, but close-up view from outside the Dubai Mall.

Which, on the happier side of things put us close to our lunch destination. Mmmmm...CPK. Check (not really on the list, but never a bad idea).

Which, in turn, was right next door to the fanciest chocolatier we've ever seen. Having walked by it several times over the last 8 months, we decided to go in. We were tended by a man in a suit, who insisted we take samples (lavendar dark chocolate ganache with lavendar blooms on it), which he handed us from his be[white]gloved hands, just before telling us the price: 550AED/Kilo, or about $78/pound. Hid shocked (SHOCKED!) face, tried to look thoughtful and considerate before pulling out "must ask husband" excuse and hightailing it out of there. Check.

Later, we drove (yes, drove) to the metro station so we could try out Dubai's first mass-public-transport-operation, which debuted with much fanfare on 9-9-9 at 9:09. Having worked out the kinks of random people pulling emergency stops "just to see what they would do" (since there are no drivers and the whole operation is robot-operated), it was quite impressive, clean and, of course, a cheap thrill for us kids from Buraimi up in the big city. Ha ha. But no, really. Check.

Measuring Comforts

2009-10-12T16:44:00.000-04:00

thehardyheyday.blogspot.com

It has been apparent (though maybe moreso than I thought) to people we met the times that it's been difficult for me to be away from the comforts and familiarities of home - family and friends (obviously), my dog and house and 'hood (obviously), my music (dumb, dumb, DUMB to pack it all up without loading to Jacob's computer, but hey - it is neatly organized and labeled!), my schedule, my activities, my work, my church, my life.

But sometimes, I'm afraid, it has been the unfamiliarity get to me even more than the lack of familiarity...sometimes the fact that measuring cups (Measuring cups! Everyone cooks!) "...do not exist [at Carrefour] (this week)," was too much for me.

Sometimes, as I cried to Jacob once just before our (it should be noted stellar, IwaswrongIwaswrongIwaswrong) trip to Jordan, "...going to another freaking Middle Eastern country is NOT my idea of vacation, ok?" (sniffle sniffle)

Sometimes, when heat nuked my feet and burned through my soles (and soul...oh, the exquisite pain, right?) and beat down on me and oppressed me and seasons did not change and weather did not desist, I cursed the dusty palm trees and their failed coloring. I sniffed contemptuously at the swirling, messy sand that blew and piled like drifts of dirty snow.

Sometimes, donning what I deemed to be unstylish and certainly uncomfortable clothes, I resisted the culture and turned inward to my own little corner wherein I could ruminate on my fashionable friends and variety of shoes that aren't dust-ridden.

But those sometimes have turned up less and less frequently as we've been here longer. And, while I can honestly say that even during those times I'd never make a different decision, I'd never leave before our time and I'd never say I wasn't having a wonderful adventure, I've come to feel something that surprised me a bit: affinity. Appreciation. Familiarity.

The thing is, I do miss my family and friends - most of all and most importantly - and as long as we're away, I will, but I can be home here. I can rejoice in the small triumphs like figuring out how to rig our stove to actually cook at a fairly consistent temperature - and use that to provide things for other people. I can appreciate getting outside and hiking around a Wadi - even dusty and not-as-green-as-I'd-like. I can appreciate that I don't have to make an outfit every single morning (fun as that can be!) - and that I have a husband who still loves me even though I occassionally have to wear a denim skirt (horrors!).

I can appreciate the privelege of helping others adjust to all this (culture shock can be at least disturbed with one simple thing: a VPN that allows access to sites like Hulu so you can watch TV shows from home). I can revel in the teeny tiny baby language steps I'm taking (even when I meet children who speak so perfectly - darn you, native kids!). I can even cherish the moments (this moment brought to you by Skype) of phone-passing amongst family members gathered at Sunday dinner, without thinking too much about being there.

And then, tonight I looked out the window of P's apartment atop the Hilton tonight during small group and watched the day change to dusk, coloring minarettes and small white houses against a clear blue sky, and I thought how beautiful it is here. And then I looked around my other surroundings inside the apartment - the women who are some of the expats and locals who make up my newest group of friends - and I truly realized how beautiful it is here.

I have been provided with everything I need here - and more (even measuring cups!).

Not-so-Top-Gear

2009-10-10T03:29:00.000-04:00

It's two months until we leave the Middle East (probably) and pursue the next step in this International MBA quest: work. Internship searches have been the name of the game for all of us (even the non-student spouses), and one of the other students decided to hop a flight to a job fair opportunity. Jacob and I jumped on the early-morning airport drive so we could get out of Buraimi and explore a little more.

We made our coffee and rushed to get ready and down to the car no later than 5:50AM. That's right. Dave needed to be at the airport in Abu Dhabi by 8AM, so we had an early call time. No worries, though, Jacob and I were excited to see all of a Buraimi sunrise and enjoy the sometimes-even-pleasantly-cool weather of a time when sun doesn't dominate the landscape (oh, and did I mention the van has no A/C? We might have voted for 6AM anyway!).

Anyway, we head over to Dave's and, during a routine U-turn which included driving through a bit of sand, (and let me say here, SAND. It's everywhere. It's unavoidable. People drive more on the sand than they do the road since many of the neighborhoods don't even have pavement and the roads are so inconvenient to use that people choose the bumpy, dying-palm-lined shoulders instead!) we...guess...sink. Like sink. Like quicksand at the back tire of our real-wheel drive nine-passenger van. Positives: we've totally both been stuck before and are sure we can get out. Negatives: sand, so not really the same thing as dirt. 5:55.

So we're thinking, ok. It's six in the morning! No one will be out at six in the morning!

We were wrong, humdulli'allah, and two different groups of guys (henceforth called shebab) walked down the road and tried gallantly to instruct Jacob in Arabic and helped us push. Negatives: No dice. Buried tire deeper. Positives: Arab hospitality, Arabic practice. 6:15.

Call Dave. Tell him we are stuck. Try other friends for help. Begin to wonder how long it would take even a high-powered flatbed truck to pull our large white van out of the sand. Begin to think exactly how funny we look on the side of the road. AT SIX IN THE MORNING!

Yet another group of determined shebab show up and try to reason through the problem, basically deciding we're not going anywhere right now, so we should all at least hang out and laugh about it. Good attitude, but we're still feeling pretty panicked about getting Dave to the airport when Matthew answers phone and heads our way to pick up Dave and take him to the airport. Great! Positives: Problem solved. Negatives: A long, hot day of standing by the car/walking into town in search of a flatbed truck on prayer day flashes before my eyes. 6:25.

New shebab show up on the scene, but this time, familiar greetings are exchanged. Apparently it's our teacher Hussein's friend's brother (of course, right?) and he remembers Dave. Yay! He walks around the vehicle, sizing up the situation and decides he can help. He walks back to his SUV and pulls out what looks to me like a reinforced laundry line with two hooks. One goes on his car, another on the - barely accessible - part of our car that seems to be designed for just this scenario.

I'm like, ok, Oman's Funniest Home Videos, give it a try. I can see where this is going.

Wrong! In about 10 seconds, the van popped up out of the sand and back onto the pavement. Ma'sha'allah! Everyone is duly impressed, we call off Matthew - who returns to bed - and get on the road. 6:39.

After hauling it to Abu Dhabi, Dave arrives at the airport. 8:19.

So good luck on the search Dave!

Who in the World?

2009-10-07T04:54:00.000-04:00

It's amazing how much my perspective has opened up in the last few months. I don't mean I've had some political revelation or great change of heart. It's just that, we live in an enormous country and I can't keep up with all the news in our own nation, let alone really get a grip on international situations.

I even considered myself a news junkie and constantly listened to talk radio, mostly NPR and frequently tuned into all-day news stations on TV...at least for background info. But being here and being involved with the lives of people from, literally, all over, things just mean a bit more.

That's why I just want to take a moment and say:

Thank goodness the situation in Indonesia wasn't as bad as last time. An Indonesian girlfriend of mine, June, still has her entire family at home, but they are fine and we will be praying for the other people in their country who struggle to rebuild lives and structures after the recent earthquake.

It is a miracle that a friend of a friend was released from Somalia after being kidnapped from his office in Kenya, where he was working with a French aid/relief agency. Read more about it here. We will be praying for him, the others captured and freed, and their captors, who are desperate in their situations and surroundings.