No price to the holidays

Last Christmas, I made my husband a promise. We would go to Oregon to spend the Christmas holiday with his family. It was a promise I was determined to keep.

As Christmas drew nearer this year, and the economy started to slump, I grew more and more stressed about how we'd make it to Oregon. In the end, I have to admit. The promise was kept, and a credit card is getting horribly abused.

However, as I told Craig last night: time spent with family is priceless. You simply can't put a pricetag on this time spent. Flights. Rental car. Hotel. Christmas gifts. Gas. Food. In the end, its all just numbers on a piece of paper. Its the moments in time that you can never recreate that mean something.

Living in Tennessee, with my family in Texas and his in Oregon, we obviously are one of those families that have to struggle with, "Who do we go see this year?" We try to split it every other year, but sometimes life does change those plans. And even as I say, "its all just numbers on a piece of paper" I do admit that those numbers have dictated that we do see my side of the family more often that we see his side. ($200 round trip driving 13 hours to Texas is easier on the pocket book than $600 at best for 8 hours flight time to Oregon.) So, any time we spend in Oregon I take very seriously. I want to make sure we see everyone we can, but at the same time spend the most of our quality time with those closest to us.

Yes, here it is Christmas and I do indeed miss my family. But, I can call them any time and my Mom is GREAT about taking pictures and filling me in on the things I've missed by living (or just being) far away. A big part of my heart will be in Texas on Christmas Eve night when my family gathers for church and on Christmas Day when they open gifts.

However, even with that said, I couldn't be more happy or grateful to be right where I am with my husband and his family -- who have most definitely become my family as well.

So, come Christmas day, I know I will be surrounded by a lot of love, seasoned with good food, laughter, and I am sure many stories being shared by all.

For me, every Christmas is a day I wish I could just place in slow motion and make last. Hold the day close and savor every second. Because it's definitely not about the presents under the tree. It's about the feelings in your heart. It's about the intangible. The things you can't put a price tag on. The things that once they're gone, they only exist in pictures and in memory... never to be relived the same way again.

Merry Christmas to all... I hope and pray everyone finds themselves surrounded by love and laughter on this day. Whoever you may be. Whatever you may believe and celebrate. We all deserve and need this day every year to remember what truly matters most.

Each other.


** For more photos from my Christmas trip to Oregon, visit my Flickr site. **

Travel & Vacation

I took my first flight in 2004, and since that time I have racked up over 114 hours of flight time on 53 flights. Not many for some people (ie, my husband), but a lot more than others. I like to consider myself pretty much a pro at it at this point.

Security is a necessary evil, and I don't mind the hassle so much. The liquid rules have proven to be a frustration sometimes, and I always wear either flip flops or boots to fly due to the fact that you have to take your shoes off going through security. Books, gum and the ipod are blessings on a long flight. My poor laptop battery just won't hold enough of a charge to be much company, though.

However, I sincerely enjoy flying, and even though I do get this "what if" fear in the pit of my stomach just before I board, I know its a safer mode of transportation than driving. Besides, whether you fly at night or during the day -- the views are breathtaking!

I've discovered something on my last few trips that were strictly for "vacation." I've discovered that I understand my parents a lot more than I once did.

I remember as a child, any time we'd go on vacation, as soon as we got to our hotel room, I couldn't wait to go DO something. The worst torture was when we'd go to Dallas to go to Six Flags!!! Those roller coasters! They called out to me! And yet Mom and Dad wanted to stay at the room for awhile. I couldn't understand. I couldn't comprehend. Nap when so much fun awaited???

Now? I understand. I find myself thoroughly enjoying time spent in a hotel room with my husband. No cats begging for food. No laundry to do. No dishes to watch. I may bring some work along with me to do on the computer, but I can do it on my own time at my own pace. It's definitely a "getaway." Why rush off to do something that will be there later, when a nap beckons to me? It's the beauty of vacation. No rushing.

Right now, I write from beautiful Portland, Oregon. Snow and rain seem to be our weather companion this trip, causing some concern as to when we head over the mountain to the coast. However, it's also an absolutely gorgeous sight to this Texas-born Nashvillian. I'm excited to see friends and family, but I'm also enjoying the leisurely pace we have set for ourselves by planning a longer-than-usual stay. No cramming things into a few days. We have time for ourselves... time we can spend out sightseeing or snuggled down in our hotel room.

Yes, traveling can be very stressful and tiring. However, the end result -- the destination -- most often makes it all so worthwhile.

Winter Wonderland

Snow has hit the Nashville area just in time for Christmas. I know it'll never hang around long, but it was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever witnessed in all of my 28 years of life.

Blog
I've neglected this blog for a long time, simply because I feel I've narrowed my field of vision too much. I find myself feeling the need to be cryptic and vague since it is a public account of things in my life and in my husband's career. Basically, it was a good idea in theory but not in practice. That happens and it was fun to try.

I will be turning this blog in my new column venue. When I worked at the newspaper, I did a weekly column that I enjoyed. It challenged me to come up with a new topic every week. It challenged me to be open and more opinionated, while at all times keeping in mind my readers. I miss it, to be honest, and it is time I went back to it.

My goal will be to write atleast once a week (when life allows!), and to hit on a spectrum of topics as they cross the path of my life. I'm, frankly, excited!! Hopefully, along the way I'll pick up some readers. And even if I don't, it'll be great practice for me in my writing, which is ALWAYS a positive thing.

Back in the swing of things

*I posted this into my private journal late last night, and I have decided to copy/paste it into this blog as well.*

I can hear the cars on the interstate extra well tonight. My cat curled beside me is an extra comfort as well.

See, my husband left out on the road tonight... he's been off the road for a month now, and I got very used to having him home every night. I loved spending every day with him, and every night curled up beside him. Now, even with the TV on, the house is all too quiet. Every bump and creak makes me jump a mile. How quickly I grow "out of practice" with this.

However, I will make the most of this time as I always do. My house will get cleaned extra well. I might even get the office organized a bit. I also have plenty of work to do otherwise! I am not at all lacking stuff to keep me busy!

Sleep, though, never comes easy when he's away. At least not until the sun rises, and I start to hear the neighbors moving around. I think its a feeling of vulnerability that keeps me awake. It's that fear of "something" happening in the dead of night. Not that something couldn't happen in the daylight, but I do take comfort in the sun rays. As if they are my guards while I slumber.

So until the sky starts to become light, I keep myself busy with mind numbing computer games and with the local morning news. Tomorrow night will be easier, and the night after that, too. It's simply a matter of getting back into the routine of things. It's a routine I welcome... even as it ushers in an element of insomnia.

It's my birthday

I'm 28-years-old today. Not really one of those "milestone" birthdays, but I happen to think every birthday is special. It's not a date to dread or to avoid. It's a date to celebrate a life, and a date to look forward to the next year.

This birthday, I hit it super lucky. I'm getting to spend my birthday with my family. It so happened that it worked out for my husband and me to take a few days and visit my family for both birthdays and holidays in one fell swoop. I just happened to be lucky enough to be with my family ON my birthday!



Most notable for me, though, is the fact that for the first time ever, I'm spending my birthday with my husband. Every year prior to this he's been on the road for my birthday. It's the way of the road. Things don't stop for birthdays or anniversaries. However, that just makes the birthdays, etc. that you get to spend together all the more fun and special. And that is this year... He's with me on my day. And that alone is present in itself.

Short and simple

• I went to a party tonight, held at the house of someone in the music industry. It was REALLY nice to be surrounded by people who didn't look at me weird when they asked where my husband was, and I responded, "Switzerland!" I mean, surprise, yes. Weird, no.
  
  
• At said party, I met people that I probably should have met a long time ago due to mutual friends in common. I am constantly struck by how incredibly small the music community really is. It's exactly what makes Nashville feel like a small town.
  
  
• Ok, I can't begin to say how giddy I am that my husband will be home soon. I absolutely can't wait!
  

Blog musings, 9/11, Ike and Switzerland

I'd really like to give this blog a lot more attention. The problem is that my whole original angle is far too narrow. So I think I'm going to continue to open up topics and just see where it goes. Sometimes its best to let something grow on its own and not fight it.

As I write this, I am watching a History Channel show about 9/11. Seven years later I still feel emotions welling up inside of me. How much this country and world have changed in the last seven years since these events. And on such a smaller scale, how much my own life has changed since then.

Since then, we've had/have war in response to 9/11 and circumstances surrounding it. We had Hurricane Katrina, which brought about a new respect for Mother Nature and its power. And as we look back on a man-made disaster, my focus is now on Hurricane Ike churning in the Gulf of Mexico and heading for Texas. I worry for my family and friends that are in the direct line of the storm.

I'm going about life, though, as normal. What else CAN I do at this point? Yes, I am worried. Yes, I am taking time to pause and reflect. But ultimately, I have to push forward and continue to live my life. I have to continue to keep my focus on today. Enjoy today. Enjoy the moment.

My husband is in Switzerland right now for a music festival. It's been strange not talk to him at all the last several days, relying on email to communicate when we can. We always at least say good night before bed! (Maybe that's why my sleep schedule is so far off.)

I know he's having a wonderful time, and I keep telling him that he must come back with LOTS of pictures and maybe a souvenir or two. I sure wish I were there as well! I must get my passport soon so if this ever happens again, I CAN go.

But, I myself have been keeping busy doing this and that. Dinner with friends was awesome, for example. I've also been taking care of those little things that you just never have time to do. And I do admit, I've taken time to be a little lazy as well, but that pretty much is counter productive to my goal: make the time pass faster until he is back home.

Right now, I have laundry stacked up on the other couch waiting to be put away, and I have a small list of errands to run tomorrow at some point. And, like I said before... I'll also be watching Ike closely. There's nothing I can do about it, but I'll be watching nonetheless.

*disclaimer: this entry took about three hours to type between laundry loads, watching TV and chatting on-line. I apologize if its disjointed and has no real flow. I'll do better next time.*

Off Topic: I love my city

I never say it enough. I love my city.

I grew up a small town girl. 3A high school graduate. Living in the country until college. And even then, I went to college in... what you'd pretty much STILL call a small town in a way. (A small city, perhaps?) Believing myself to be that small town kid for life, I was surprised how the pull of the city tugged at me. I knew for YEARS I'd end up in Nashville eventually. I just figured it would be via Dallas, Texas, first. But, instead I skipped the middle step and went from small town to "big city."

Here is the craziest thing of it all, though. I have more friends here than I ever did "back home." Sure, my closest friends -- the ones dearest to my heart and that I confide in most -- come from years of experiences in our small town(s). But the sheer number of people I know now boggles my mind some times. And I am constantly making new friends and acquaintances.

A step beyond that, I've found I love to keep my finger on the pulse of the city. No, I don't know everything that is happening. But I like to have a general idea of things that are happening. Simply because I love my city!

It's so funny how... I will always feel Small Town Texas to be my home, but I have this love for Nashville. I think the skyline is beautiful. I love the general vibe it has. This has become home now, and... it makes me happy. It's where I belong now.

That lonely weekend...

I'm supposed to be good at this.

Then why am I sitting here going, "Okay, its time for him to come home?"

I guess I'm just out of practice? Or perhaps its the fact that its a long weekend, so his absence this weekend seems more poignant? Though I've spend my birthday alone before. Last year he left on Thanksgiving. This shouldn't matter. Those weren't big deals. This shouldn't be.

No, I guess no matter how much of a "pro" I fancy myself, sometimes you just miss your spouse. And I do miss him more than usual right now. How will I be in a couple weeks when he's out of the country!? Well... granted... I already have plans to look forward to during that time, so that'll help. Different circumstances all the way around with that, really.

And really, that's what it all comes down to. I told him the other day that, "Time passes slower here than it does where you are." Meaning, he's so busy that time flies by... whereas while I am busy doing things here at home, I'm still at home. And the time seems to drag by at times.

Perception. That's a big thing that is hard to adjust for each side of an equation. In a lot of ways, this has been a short run. Heck, had he stayed with his last employer I would have hardly seen him this entire summer. So I am ultimately grateful, and I know he'll be home in just over a day and a half.

I think myself a pro... but even pros have their moments.

Baby you need to come home
There's a little bit of something me
In everything in you...

Like the first day of school

I like to think I am a "pro" at this whole musician's widow thing. But even being a "pro" doesn't make it easy sometimes. It just gives you knowledge on how to handle it.

Tonight, my husband embarked on a new gig. Or rather, this weekend is something of an audition towards this new gig. But nonetheless, I dropped him off at a bus in a grocery store parking lot, bound for Canada for two days.

I am so excited for him on this. A new gig. A big one at that! Plus, its one that will still allow him to be home more to continue work on a new project that we have started in the last few months. I have no doubts that he'll do great, but still I say prayers and send him good vibes.

It felt great to say I was taking him to bus call, and there is a comfort in this routine as it is familiar. But that doesn't mean that there wasn't this sadness that came over me as I drove away without him. I've gotten so used to having him home all the time! I missed him within seconds of dropping him off at the bus!

I would think that for him, tonight was a little like the first day of school. He's the new kid, and even though this is not his first time out on the road, its his first night with this group. And its also been a few months since his last trip out. So, even with as familiar as this lifestyle is, tonight was something new all over again.

Anyway, I'm not sure how to approach this whole thing at the moment. It's not a done deal, exactly. But I also don't see any reason why it wouldn't be, either. I just want him to be happy and enjoy what he does. (And having the steady income would be nice as well.) And I sure hope this gig will be a perfect fit.

Just a small update

I've spent a lot of time with some "newbie" "musician's widows" as of late. It is indeed tour season, and many of "our men" are out on the road livin' the dream. They talk about the time apart and how hard it is. I end up just nodding along... been there, done that. I will do it again. Preaching to the choir here. Preaching to the choir.

As I always tell them to remember... it's always that first day or two that are the hardest. ESPECIALLY when its an extra long run, as they tend to be in the summer. You feel the void more than ever. Good-byes always are hard. But you do eventually get into a routine of your own, and time passes relatively quickly. It especially helps when you have friends you can see in the time he is gone.

I'm not really leaving that life these days so much. I'm getting used to having my husband at home! I'm downright spoiled, in fact, by having him here.

However, he also has his CDL and he co-drives whenever he's out on the road. This weekend, he is helping a friend out by co-driving for Montel Williams (of all people!). It's a short run for him, but it gave me a taste of "the life" again for a few days. I have so much work to do these days that this time has passed quickly, and he'll be home tomorrow evening.

We're embarking on a new endeavor that could prove to change our lives dramatically. It already is in a way, and we're welcoming the challenge with excitement. I will possibly be posting about it more at a later date, but until that time... we just keep on keepin' on.

"People"

With my husband currently not on the road -- still shopping for a new artist gig -- he's working harder than ever, grabbing gigs in downtown Nashville in the bars and clubs along Broadway and in Printer's Alley.

The best part of it all is that he's home at the end of the night every night. I get to see and spend time with him every day of the week, and for that I do feel very grateful. I am accustomed to the "widow" life of seeing my husband leave for days or weeks on the road, and I know that as soon as he gets a new gig we'll fall right back into that pace of life. So I am savoring this time together with more fervor than anyone knows, because it could change tomorrow.

The worst part of it, is that he's working over twice as hard for less pay. We're having to "tighten up the boot straps" quite a bit, and it's exhausting going six nights a week. But in that same vein, and I grateful for there being work to do. Many people are getting laid off in their industries, and at least he (we) still has work to do. I give myself that reality check almost daily. Reminding myself that even when I'm tired and want a vacation, I need to instead of grateful to have work and to still be able to pay the bills.

Somewhere in the middle of it all has to be "people." It's frustrating to see people (ie the crowd) treat his speakers and keyboard cases like their chairs or drink holders. There is no regard for personal property -- for the tools needed for him to do his job. At times I want to ask people if they'd like for me to set my beer on their laptops or blackberrys. If I can perch upon their copy machines. They'd probably be appalled, but in a round about way its the same idea.

In a similar vein, I came in with a group of friends to watch my husband play last night. Slowly, one by one, they meandered off to head home, tired from their work days. Soon, there was only me at the table...

But that never lasted long, as one by one I got hit on by men. It was flattering, yes. (Where were all these men when I was single??) But slowly it grew annoying.

Can a woman not sit at a table alone in a bar and not be needing male company? All were very polite and respectful once I explained the my husband was in the band, and that I was there to see him play. But at the same time, it made me want to find a shirt that said, "Married and with the band. Don't bother. Save your breath and creativity to find the right line." I amuse myself some times.

In every business, you deal with the good, the bad and the... frustrating. And every day you go back to your job knowing you'll have to deal with it all over again. Tonight, my husband will haul his gear back into yet another bar and see his equipment get "disrespected." I'll go along, helping to move gear and enjoy a night of good music and people watching... and probably at some point try to politely get someone (male, female, sometimes a whole group of friends there to party) to understand why I am there and that, no, I do not need to be taken care of because I am alone.

My husband does it for his love of music, as well as to pay the bills. I come along for both my own love of music, but mostly for my love and support of my husband. It's a hat I wear (along with "writer, designer, daughter, sister, friend, etc.)... and it's the one I am most proud to wear.

From "the outside" looking in...

Last night, I was lucky enough to get to attend a concert as a guest of one of the headliner's band members. A group of us ladies got together and we all drove out to see the concert, and then we had All Access passes to visit our friends in the band after the show.

It felt equally weird and natural to me to do this.

The biggest thing that felt weird: my husband wasn't there. I kept feeling like he SHOULD be there. For one thing, these guys we went to see are actually more his friends than mine. I know a few of them probably only know me as being his wife, and I am so okay with that! But for another, he's a touring musician and he should be touring right now! And the fact that he's not right now... my being at a show, backstage, without him there just made me feel a little sad. Because he thrives on the music, the travel, the energy of the fans, etc., and it feels like its been taken away from him for the time being. And that just makes me sad.

But, in the same breath of all of that, it feels weirder to go to shows and NOT be backstage these days. So in a lot of ways I felt completely at home. I go and end up taking notes more on what guys are playing, how the lighting is set, what the stage layout and set look like, listening to the mix, and then just watching the fans have fun. I think I almost blew my husband's phone up sending him text messages all night!!

I know, now, how things go when putting on a concert. I understand things that I used to take for granted. Things that amaze some are just "the way it is" to me. And I like that it is that way! Concerts are still a ton of fun to attend! They always will be! I'm just saying that I see a lot of things I used to not see, and it feels less like a "special occasion" and more like just the way my life is.

Among all of it all, I got the pleasure of watching a band member and his wife interact after the show. I fear they felt I was staring! But, I'm very much someone who likes to watch people, and take in things like body language and the way people interact with each other. It's interesting to me, and I've learned you can learn a lot if you just sit quiet, listen and observe.

Last night, as I watched the couple, I wondered often if others view me and my husband the same way. As a couple very much in love, and who know its a crazy life but embrace it with as much (if not more!) vigor as someone who has a regular 9-5 job. I wonder if I appear as at home and close with my husband's band mates as this other "musician's widow" is in her camp. I took notes on how she approached things, as she's been in this life for much longer than I have been. I felt I could perhaps learn something through my observations.

In the end, I had a lovely time out with the girls. I saw a wonderful (intense!) show, and I got to get a taste of another camp that is out there pounding the pavement along with the many other acts touring the country today. It was fun! And I can't wait to do it again... just next time: I want to be going to see own husband. ;)

When it rains, it pours...

It's been four months since I last posted, and life's been quite the roller coaster in those months. As it always is, of course, but perhaps moreso than ever. I've stayed busy doing my thing. My husband was busy doing his thing. Now... we're busy doing each of our things together.

See, a couple weeks ago, my husband ended his time with the artist he'd been working for over the last 10 months. It came as a surprise, but thankfully we're in an okay place at the moment for it have happened. Mostly, it's been frustrating and disheartening. Over the last couple of weeks, I've become jaded with the music business in general. However, I won't give up on it either.

There are other things in the works, though, and I firmly believe the adage that everything happens for a reason. We're just not yet in a place to see what that reason may be... We may never be, honestly. But I know there is a reason.

In the mean time, my husband and I have been busier than ever with work. Last week was CMA Music Fest in Nashville. It kept us both hopping. It kept all of Nashville hopping. I think anyone who had anything to do with the event is still recovering, and will be for at least the rest of the week.

However, it was a great time to network, and it made me appreciate more than ever my blessings of having work to do and being able to do said work. (The gas prices these days remind me to be grateful for that as well!)

But, as my subject line states, when it rains it pours. During a solo this weekend, my husband blew a speaker. THE speaker in fact. So it must be fixed before he can gig again. Then on top of that, our washing machine went out in a fit of smoke. And our oldest cat is sick. I'm half waiting to see what is going to fall apart next!! But... I am honestly in a mode to have to just laugh about it. Because I know things will get better, and I know that God never gives us more than we can handle. So I keep my head high and my mood optimistic.

Oh don't think I've not gotten down over the last few weeks -- because I have. But getting down doesn't fix anything. It just makes things more dismal. I prefer to be optimistic and proactive to get things back on track.

And to find the humor in most situations.

Would never do otherwise

There is one really big perk to having a husband that is a traveling musician: you DO get to do things you'd never do otherwise.

For example, two years ago I had the opportunity (which I took!) to go to Hawaii over the 4th of July holiday. Would we have gone otherwise? It's possible, but also fairly doubtful. Honestly, I'd have never in a millions years thought I'd go there. Growing up, I never even listed Hawaii as a place I wanted to visit, simply because I knew it would never happen...

And then... it did. So beautiful! A wonderful trip! I'd love to go again some day, and who knows... we might. But, if we don't, it's okay, too. It's a memory I will never, ever forget.


I also went to Las Vegas to see my husband do a show, and then just countless venues around Texas and, now, various locations close to Nashville. It's a nice "perk" to the life. We spend so much time apart while he is on the road, but we do get advantages of getting to go and do things we'd never do otherwise. Occasionally, the random show sponsor will provide band members with gifts, or we'll end up with the random CD of new music. It doesn't make up for the time spent apart, per se. But, its a nice little bonus of sorts.

This last weekend, when everything went haywire due to a last-minute show being added, we again landed on things coming out better. Plus, we got to once again do something we'd otherwise have never done.

I drove up to Indianapolis, IN, for their show. Now, being from Texas, its still very strange to me to be able to drive to another state -- much less through a whole state into yet another one! -- for a concert. The 5 hour drive wasn't bad at all. It was actually a very pleasant and beautiful drive.

The show was great, and we had friends there who we got to have fun with after the show. Due to checking in to our hotel so late, we ended up actually having our room through Monday! We discussed it and decided to stay an extra day.



I would have never known that Indianapolis was such a fascinating and beautiful city! We got to explore downtown, and I just could not get over how much there was to see. I sent my parents a cell phone photo of the skyline, and they too were amazed we were where we were... doing what we were doing. Heck, we discovered we enjoyed the city so much, we want to go back when it is warm so we can explore on foot! (It was SO cold and we had not packed for it, thinking we were going straight back home on Sunday.)

I plan to travel South soon to another show, and I will get the chance to explore some Southern history... whereas in Indiana there were such old buildings from a more Northern perspective. (Duh, right?) I have my fingers crossed my husband will soon get to fulfill one of his life-long dreams of played an awards show, and that I'll get to come along to see that. I spoke with one of the crew's wife and she plans to go with them on an upcoming California trip.

California would be so wonderful to get to come out to see them. I have friends there that I am itching to see again. However, funds will keep me grounded for this run. But, perhaps some day! You never know. All things are possible...

Coming from a girl who grew up in a small town, that has been quite the lesson learned. Often small town minds don't see beyond their city limits. But there is a whole world out there to explore. And so many things that seem impossible, ARE possible. And I am forever grateful to the things I have gotten to experience...

Like I said... its difficult to be "a musician's widow," and its not a "job" many are cut out to handle. But, if you're willing to put the faith, trust and belief in your marriage out there... it does come with its perks: both tangible and intangible.

When Things Go Crazy

Stress can be negative or it can be positive. I think it all depends on how you react to said stress.

Yesterday, my husband and I went from having a couple of quiet days ahead of us to having to get him ready and to the bus in about four hours time. A last-minute show (filling in for a fellow, ailing, artist) came into the schedule and they had to be in Wisconsin by the next morning. We got the call at about 5 pm.

At first, I was a little bit frustrated by the change in schedule. But, it didn't take long to realize I needed to just be grateful for the added show. Plus, last-minute changes in his work schedule are not new to us. Though, usually its a show canceled last moment versus one being added! Nice change of pace right there!!

We had been out running errands, and I had planned a nice supper at home. However, with the newly truncated time schedule, we opted for a quick meal out. As soon as we got home, my husband got to work learning a new song they want to put in the show. I, on the other hand, quickly got to work on getting things together for him to go. I made coffee for him to have for driving the bus for a few hours. I ironed his show shirts. I was happy to do all I could to make this change in plans easier to handle.

What's funny, though, is that I think we were both in a total daze for most of the evening. It can be hard to comprehend the changes that have occurred, even as you are handling them.

When the time came, I took him to bus call. I plan to drive to his show on Saturday, and we'll drive back from there together. So there was no need for him to take his truck to the bus lot and then try to figure out a way to pick it up later this weekend.

My point in all of it is this: when changes occur, you can either fight them or adjust with them. Adjusting with them admittedly challenging, but its also less stressful. Why? Because if we all make adjustments together, less changes have to occur for each person. And that's just a much happier and more peaceful situation -- no matter what the specific case may be.

Ultimately, for us, this probably ended up being a good change. It'll make for a less stressful weekend for both of us in the end. A few hours of, "ACK!" is worth it.

Back in the swing of things

Since my last post, there have been many changes in our life!

October brought us moving into our first house. November brought both of our birthdays. December brought the holidays. And January... well January meant half the month off the road for my husband, and our having to buckle down and try to cut costs anywhere and everywhere we can.

We got married last January due to the fact that I knew it was the only time of the year, I was 99% guaranteed that my husband would be off the road and we could have a wedding without conflicting schedules.

It's wonderful to have that time together. It's a treat to get to spend an extended length of quality time, just us. I got used to going to bed with him every single night. And after having him home for about a month, it makes this first run a bit harder to handle as we get back into the swing of life as we know it.

It'll be nice to have the stead income again. We can breathe a sign of relief there. And I have no doubt he is loving being back out on the road, playing the music he loves. Here at home, I'm buckling down myself and getting all sorts of work projects done myself. Web-sites, advertising, letters, etc. We're both focused on work again.

But I do miss him. Especially when he ends up in one of those random areas where there is no cell service, so we don't even get the luxury of talking on the phone. And this run happens to end right as I am flying out to do some thing back in Texas. So we'll completely miss each other there. I'll see him again when I make it back to Nashville after handling my things. This is fairly typical of us, though, so we've been here before. And we'll be here again, I know.

I miss him. I just remind myself... it'll make our time when he gets back home all the more sweet.