I did the ultimate form of self-care today:

I did the ultimate form of self-care today:  I made up my loft! I've MISSED that bed so, so much for about a year now. It was December of last year that I needed to disassemble it, pack it away, and move to Talladega. It stayed in storage in the basement the whole time we were there and then in storage in our garage here for a while after we moved because we had bigger settling-in priorities.

It's been built for a while now, but I didn't have a mattress until around my birthday last month. I've wanted to make it up and go up there so many times but between the job search, unpacking, doctors appointments, cleaning, skating, and low-energy days it just wasn't able to happen until now.

I am so excited. This bed / desk / pull-out floor bed / drawers combo is part of my very essence. It is my Nest. I bought it from a guy on CraigsList in GA when I lived in AL in my first home. Then when I moved in with Shaun it went in my bedroom there. Then it traveled to Talladega and from there, New Mexico!

Shaun hates moving my Nest because it has to be disassembled every time we move it and then put back together (kind of like a jigsaw puzzle). It doesn't help that I'm stupid protective of it, either. 😂😂😂 I just can't help it. I don't know what to say besides this is the thing that makes a home for me. I'm really grateful that our bedroom here has room for it, plus room for the king-size bed we share.

And before y'all think I'm TOO ridiculous, know that Shaun ALSO has a loft with a desk in his Cave downstairs. If I'm a little weird, well - he's definitely my match. We're both just 39-year-old kids living our best lives. 😊😊😊

My Nest made up with the comforter my mom made me.

Pic from the side. Y'all don't get to see my messy desk. Avert your eyes and quit trying. 😂

Y'all like my skate videos? This is a good one. 😜

Y'all like my skate videos?  This is a good one. 😜

Higher ramp. It didn't go so well. But hey, I made it to the bottom. 😂😂😂

I had fun today but Vanessa skated CIRCLES around me (not literally). She nailed every one of her goals, including this ramp that took me out. That's ok. I got some practice and exercise in and it was a good time. ❤️❤️❤️

Axial Tilt.

Axial Tilt.

I'm so frustrated right now. The only thing about this time of year that I enjoy is knowing that the days will be getting longer. It's extra good for me this year because it means more sunshine for skating.

I'm declaring here and now that Christmas 2021 is the last Christian holiday that I will actively be participating in. I have reasons.

For one:  I am not Christian. I don't believe in any gods at all. But IF I was into Christian holidays for religious purposes I would be furious about how commercialized they have become. Pretty much all meaning is lost and the point is to spend money, consume goods, decorate, and maybe go to church even if you don't any other time of the year. How shitty. 😂 If I was a Christian, I'd be celebrating a LOT differently than most people I know. 

For two:  I really don't understand doing something just because it's always been done. Like, so what? Why? I grew up doing these rituals and now I don't want to keep repeating them, especially when I could do ANYTHING else. I could do ANYTHING I want on a certain day, but no, I *choose* to do something I've done before? Is it special to repeat a ritual? Is it comforting? For me personally, no. It's really grating, actually. In math and computer science we use algorithms and we automate as much as possible to avoid doing exactly this. Let a machine do the repetitive work. Let me move on!

If you enjoy holidays then more power to you. I'm just saying that I don't, and that after this year I'm opting out. No more Christian holidays for me. Shaun and the kids can do whatever they want. I'll give enough effort to them and only them to not ruin their day because I love them. And therein lies the trap. 😕

EDITED TO ADD:

Anyone who receives a package from me, know I did that because I wanted to. I'm pretty sure that gift-giving is my love language. I just don't enjoy the thought of having to do it certain times of the year whether I'm feeling it or not. ❤️

I'm getting some rare cuddles...

I'm getting some rare cuddles from my li'l Gramson, Leon. 😍😍😍 He's definitely his mama's boy so I feel special. 😊😊😊

Today was gorgeous and I got my skate on.

It's a sunny 43°F out.

It's a sunny 43°F out. Comfortable in the sun, cooler in the shade, balloons in the distance. Perfection.

Look at all this yard work that needs to be done. We gotta sweep our gravel back into place every once in a while because the dogs and coyotes make a mess when they play. We also gotta scoop the poop. It's so hard y'all, let me tell you. 😛

For real, I do NOT miss the rain and storms and humidity of the south, or fighting back nature at every turn. We've been here for 3 months now and I still love it. I was never an outdoorsy person in Alabama, but here I'm up for hiking, biking, skating, whatever. Even when it's down in the 30s all you gotta do is catch a sun beam to warm up.

For those of you who love the south:  I'm so happy that you're happy. I sincerely mean that. But for me this has been life-changing. I'm still in awe at how much I love being outside now. I'm so much more active than I've been since probably band camp back in high school. This is so nourishing for my body and my mind. It's exactly what I needed and I'm so grateful. ❤️❤️❤️

Six years later and he's still my favorite person...

Six years later and he's still my favorite person - so much so that I captured him as my spouse and stook my claim on him until I die! I've never been so sure of anything or anyone else in my life!

We've come a long, long way together. From living separately and me refusing his help to me allowing him to treat me to lunch sometimes to me letting him help support me through college. From getting married to moving in together to finally sharing a bedroom. I knew early on that he was my person but he patiently let (and often agreed with) me and our slow and out-of-order relationship progression.

Now here we are - 13 years strong, a home we chose together in a place we chose together, with our amazing kids, weird dogs, and too many cats. We've been slowly but surely building towards this for years and it feels good, man. New goals and adventures are being planned and I can't wait to see where we are in another 13 years.

Happy "Made It Official" Day, Shaun! ❤️