Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue

I know I have pages and pages of notes to share about General Conference.  I know I need to bubble over with giddy pride over how amazing Fred's graduation was last week.  I know I need to write down the amazing essay in my head about coming to the realization that having a partner is not a basic human right, but a luxury of a fortunate existence.  I know I need to go work on my thesis.  But all that is getting put aside for the moment so that I can preserve this moment.

Fred is proud that I'm strong-minded, brags about how I can take care of myself, and is constantly admiring how strong I am (strong muscles-mmm).  Yet he's one of the very few people I don't have to be strong around- where it becomes a choice and not a necessity or defense mechanism against whatever icky things are in store.  And he can marvel at his "strong woman" and me getting stuff done and working at UPS and helping carry all the way-heavy stuff with moving in and yet, when the time comes, he takes care of me.  No condescension, no patronizing, no 'aw the little girl isn't nearly as strong as she thinks she is' b.s., nothing.  If I need it, he does it.  Like last night.

I

Current Location: OUR place
Current Mood: content

I'm only writing this so I can stop thinking about it.  UMC enthusiasts (that means you,
brassknight86
, and the lovely Creative Crocheter that I'm sure will show up soon), however, will want to note what I'm doing the weekend of April 25th and May 23rd.

So let's assume for a second that I'm not enriching 2 of the classes I'm taking this term.  Let's assume that my only academic challenge is writing my honors thesis.  Let's assume that because my 2nd job is so rewarding and eccentric, the hours I work at it don't exist.  Now let's look at this term's schedule, shall we?  And don't tell me this is overdue- it's only the beginning of the 3rd week out of 10 + finals.  Just because weeks far in the future seem free doesn't mean they're not going to fill up later.  Or sooner.

Current Location: library
Current Mood: overwhelmed

I'm happy that I have the use of a toaster oven for 10 days.  Yay soggy-free reheating and easily roasted sweet potatoes!
I'm happy I have a tremendously warm and loving family, even though that means I miss them terribly.
I'm happy that Fred has a Fourth Sister, and not just because she's the reason Fred and I may finally have a place to live in a few months.
I'm happy my parents raised me on good, healthy food and that I actually enjoy whole grains, vegetables, and eating well.
I'm happy that my parents forced me to keep trying stuff I don't like- most forms of cooked spinach and fish are still a lost cause, but now I love properly cooked onions and most forms of tofu.
I'm happy that they understood me enough to know how important having a doggie was to me, even though the family-owned Airedale was always around.
I'm happy that when the time came where my dad had to choose what type of father he would be, he was brave (strong? daring? man?) enough to reject the stiff-upper lip, detached, unemotional disciplinarian parenting that so many men fall back on.  I operate on hugs!
I'm happy that my mom always had time for all of us, despite the tremendous drain that was graduate school and having an extremely special-needs child.
Okay, screw it, I'm happy for my parents (otherwise I'd be here all night) for nearly everything- my love of animals, plants, the environment, society, the world, social/moral/environmental/cultural/political issues (even though caring and awareness frequently results in pain and disappointment at the daily news, instead of the blissful indifference most people operate under), viewpoints, relationships, memories, etc etc etc.
I'm happy I'm in love with someone who can be sensitive, tender, loving, caring, insightful, and warm without ever worrying about his masculinity or feeling like he has to put on an act in public.
I'm happy that I'm not just like everybody else.
I'm happy that I'm getting a good education, despite the price.
I'm happy that I love both my jobs.
I'm happy that I like myself (most of the time, at least).  
I'm happy for dark, milk-free chocolate.
I'm happy for warm beds and having lots of blankets so I don't un up the energy bill.
I'm happy that I'm not outside in the brutally nasty weather we're having.
I'm happy that I could afford to pay a computer when I needed one for school.
I'm happy that I can type fast.
I'm happy that I finally have an idea for my master's thesis.
I'm happy that I have self-determination and free will, even though that means I'm going to go to bed now instead of finishing this list.

Current Location: Lacie's House
Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: "So You Had a Bad Day"