Oh, the Joys of Adulthood...

I wish there was a way to type out a sigh effectively. If there was, that is how I would start this blog post. A long, exasperated sigh. I'm tired, y'all.

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a grown up so badly. It seemed so glamorous. Who would ever hate driving a car or going shopping with friends? Where is that version of adulthood I so longed for as a child? Thank goodness I was unaware of the struggle. I guess longing for adulthood as a child probably meant I had a good childhood; one that was sheltered from most harsh realities. Who would desire the stress of bills, and the responsibility of a career? Now I wish for the days of recess and homework pages.

I feel like it is juvenile to even act slightly in despair, because I'm not. I have a beautiful life with a wonderful man. I'm just tired. Life is exhausting, no matter what phase of it you're in. Berry and I are working so hard to start off on the right foot. We know it's going to be worth it. We know that, in time, we're going to see the reward for all of this struggle, but knowing that doesn't make it easier. We've been blessed so far, and even now look back at our first few months together and have no idea how we made it. Sacrifice and hard work is the formula for success, right?

Typing that sentence, I was reminded that success doesn't measure happiness but rather happiness measures success. Oh, perspective....how you sneak up on me.

I'm going to end this pity party now. I vow to make the rest of my day better, and to focus more on our marriage than on our money.

The end.

Conditioned

 Being from San Antonio, there are a few things in life that I am just conditioned to.

1. Sweating.
2. 12 month summers.
3. Sweating.
4. Spurs Losing.

I want to spend some time on that last one. My beloved Spurs. Being a Spurs fan in San Antonio is no more a choice than loving Mexican food or saying "howdy y'all" to strangers. You see what I mean? There are things that are innate. I was born wearing a David Robinson jersey. My bed-time stories were about George Gervin. Y'all, my blood is black and silver.  Win or lose, I stand by my team.

See, the Spurs have the best win-loss record over the last 10 years in ALL OF SPORTS. Are you understanding that? From the NFL to the MLB to the NBA...my Spurs top the charts. With a stat like that you would think, what? At least 7 titles, right? Wrong. 4. Not that four is something to wrinkle your nose at. That's four championship rings. Four titles denied to Kobe Bryant. But, still...we lose the biggest games more often than we win them. That is heartbreaking. But then again...I'm conditioned to it.

Let's take this season. Going into game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, we were riding a 20 game win streak. Everyone who mattered in sports was picking the Spurs to win the championship. Rumors were flying about a "perfect" playoff run. But no. History repeated itself. We lost 4 in a row. My team, that was as close to perfection as it gets, got tired or too confident. The OKC Thunder learned their game and fought back, and just like in years past...the Spurs just ran out of steam. How do you go from perfect to preposterous is a matter of a week? We were SO close. But, we're always so close.

This is what it means to be a Spurs a fan. You pray and pray that this year, the big games are won. You pray and pray that this year, no one gets injured. We're conditioned to lose, but never lose hope that we'll win. Despite the Spurs' win-loss record, we are the perpetual under-dog. Just like San Antonio itself. The biggest little city in the world. I love my "little" city, and I love my under-dog team.

I'm proud to be a fan of a team that so embodies positive character and humility it's often easy to forget they're celebrities. I'm proud that you'll never hear Tim Duncan or Tony Parker brush off the blame on the team or the referees. Even if they had the worst record in the league, every home game would be sold out. It's how we are in San Antonio. Integrity is what matters. I don't care that I'm conditioned to losing, because I'd rather love the good guys than root for the bad guys. Win or Lose, y'all.

With that being said, I have to say I was impressed with the team mentality of the Thunder. They play excellent basketball, and are more level-headed and humble than most teams. (Aside, of course, from James Harden who is beyond the realm of annoying, not to mention he may have the ugliest shot I've ever witnessed.) I hope that they are able to bring home the championship. They too are an under-dog. A small market team with big-market talent. I can support that. Understand me clearly. I will NEVER be a fan of another team, but I can respect good basketball. I will only say this once, and it is only in effect for the rest of the playoffs, but....ThunderUp!

In other news, we're getting ready for our first out-of-town visitors! Berry's parents called today to announce that they were wanting to come visit for a few days, and we, of course, are so excited to see them. I love being hostess! :) If you made it down this far, thanks for reading my rant. :)

Pin-tastic! (and other Pinterest related words)

An amazing thing happened yesterday. Are you ready for this? I had the following conversation with Berry:

Me: Honey, what would you like for dinner tonight?
Berry: Well, I was looking on Pinterest and ...
Me: You were what?!?!?!!
Berry: I was looking on Pinterest. Ok?

I knew it. I knew it was only a matter of time before he succumb to power of Pinterest. The force is strong. I came home to 4 or 5 different tabs open. An abundance of recipes to choose from. It was quite pin-credible. :)

While I'm loving Berry's willingness to search the vast expanses of pinterest's endless possibilities, I'm fearful that the lure may be too much. What if I come home everyday to numerous dinner "suggestions"? What if conversations from here on out begin with, "Well, I saw on pinterest..." Too much of a good thing, my friends...

I'll let you know in the future if there needs to be a pin-tervention (okay, okay....I'm kinda proud of that one). As for right now, I'm in the process of making a dinner that is in no way healthy, but in every sense delish. Thanks, honey!

A little bit of life...

So, I'm going to start this off with a warning. I'm ridiculously inconsistent with most endeavors that I take on. This blog being among them. I have high hopes of regular updates, but I would be remiss not to give you advanced notice. You may be disappointed. With that being said, let's hope against that. Deal?

I'm starting this blog as a way to keep in touch with my family. Texas is far away. Too far, if you ask me. My husband, Berry, and I are ten months into this adventure of marriage and I thought that posting our journey on this blog would make the distance seem less severe. There is nothing more that we want than to share our lives with our friends and family that we so rarely get to see. Hopefully, this will do the trick, and you'll accept this little bit of life we have to share with you.

I need to begin with the biggest adventure we've started to date. His name is Jack. That's right, our lives have be flipped upside down because of a 7 pound daschund that stole my heart (and my money!). He is quite the handful, let me tell you! I think he's a bit of a con-artist. See, when I went to the pet store just to browse, I asked to play with this tiny little puppy. He looked so sad in his crate, and I just couldn't resist. When they brought Jack into the play room, he walked across the floor and laid his chin down on my knee, as if to say, "Will you be my Mommy?" I was done. He was my puppy. I knew I had to have him, but it was time to convince Berry. Friends, let me just tell you, this Marine of mine melted on the spot!

I mean, look at those eyes! Oh...little did I know. His sweet demeanor rapidly vanished into a wild, energy-crazed dog barely resembling the pup that, ever so calmly, laid his head in my lap. What did we get ourselves into??

It was a long first couple of weeks, and we still have our long days; days when jack decides that house training is just NOT what he wants to do. Those are the days I wish I could warn Jack to beware of Daddy! He's lucky he's so darn adorable, because despite it all...we're crazy about this dog. He's brought us more joy than frustration, and there is nothing better than coming home to his little wagging tail. I mean, look at those eyes!

In other news, Berry has finished his first full year at UGA, and he did so with a bang! I've always known how dedicated he was, but watching him work so hard at school, go to work, and still manage to be such a selfless and loving husband has given me so much more understanding and respect for this incredible husband of mine. I'm amazed everyday by his work ethic, and his commitment. What a man I married.

Work is still in full swing for me. This is the first year since becoming an educator that I won't have the summer off. I'm waiting to hear about a job interview I had last week. Things are looking good, I'm just praying for the patience I need to wait for the call. Join me in praying friends. I've been struggling some since I moved to Georgia. Loving my marriage, but missing my old job and my family. This position would mean so much, and it would get me back into a classroom where I belong.

The Spurs game is starting in 2 minutes, so it's time I wrap this up. Spurs trump all blogging responsibilities. Goodnight dear friends.

GO SPURS GO!

Also, I'm seriously considering buying Jackie a doggie Spurs jersey. Stupid? Maybe. Awesome? Absolutely.