Asked her to be my girlfriend

[hmrambling]

There are times that I want to go out, but don't ask because we have miles between us. There are events that I would like to share with her, but it feels impractical for either of us to drive the distance on a work night. There are times that the distance between us causes us to not see each other as much as we would like. I try not to push or to rush.

When we visit each other on the weekends, saying goodbye is sometimes hard, and I miss her when she's gone (or after I've left). I know I won't see her until the weekend in most cases. We stay up later than I normally would when we talk on the phone. In fact, late nights have become my normal because I stay up in order to talk to her.

Last night, I hung out with my dog in the spare bedroom and watched TV. I drifted off and woke up, wondering when she would call. I checked my phone and she texted me 35 minutes earlier while I was asleep - she said she was still up and that I could call if I was still up, too. I called her and we talked until midnight... as we do most nights... catching up on how the day was, and what happened during the day.

I sometimes long for the day that we're not staying up late at night to catch up, and that we don't have to wait until the weekends to see each other. Then I remind myself that we're only 5 months in this, and to be patient.

I checked on the venue where Melissa Etheridge will be playing. It's a small theater that has only 1300 seats. We'll be sure to get a good view. I'm gonna try to bring my camera and get good pics.

[hmrambling]

Only 3 hours at work today, and then I'm out the door! I'm soooo looking forward to spending a long weekend with my gf

[hmrambling]

The seats were great. This photo was taken from my seat. I was able to get my camera in and get quite a few good photos of the concert. We ate at the sports bar in the casino right before the concert. On Saturday, we had breakfast, walked on the beach, then took a nap. We got up later, went to see the Hurricane Katrina 10 year memorial, went to a beach-side restaurant, and went to watch a jazz show. Sunday, we had brunch and toured the coastline to see the reconstruction of the gulf since Hurricane Katrina. We played 90s music on the way back to her house, and talked about which music we liked and owned. We had dinner and dessert in her city, and then I headed home.

I tend to not go when I travel. I have a bashful system when I travel. So I woke up yesterday with an upset stomach. I stayed home from work and stayed pretty close to the bathroom. This morning was similar, but I came into work. It's been a while since I've traveled away from either of our houses for the full weekend, so I forgot about my traveling issues. My entire system gets backed up when I travel. I used to pack meds for stomach issues when I traveled, but haven't been packing them in quite a while. I feel about 50% at work today. I know it will pass.

[hmrambling]

Last weekend, I started my Saturday out with a 13 mile run (training for a half marathon). I was supposed to cook dinner, but my stomach was upset after the run. A friend visited, and she cooked chicken and dumplings. She left after cooking, and the my gf arrived. We had chicken and dumplings for dinner. Then we went to my recovery meeting. We returned home, and walked the dogs. We went to church Sunday morning. I am habitually late for church. We made it to church a few minutes earlier than usual, but still late. Then went to eat with friends from church. We stayed and talked for a good little while, then returned back to my house and got a nap.

We compared calendars. Well, my calendar is mostly clear. But we worked out dates for a trip. We're planning to go to Chicago in December, and we settled on the dates. Both of us have requested off the dates that we want to go to Chicago, and we've both got approval for our Chicago trip.

I booked the hotel last night, and I have my flight booked.

This coming weekend, I am planning to go to her house for Labor day weekend. We might go 'into the city' (New Orleans). We'll see.

[hmrambling]

Last night I was exhausted when I got home, so we didn't have our nightly phone call. I'm looking forward to the 3 day weekend. I am bringing mandalas and markers. We may have time to sit around and color mandalas which I am kind of excited about.

I'm training for a half marathon. My training schedule has an 8 mi run on Sunday and a 5 mi run on Saturday. I'm going to try to get up and get the 8 mi done tomorrow morning so that I don't have to get up Sunday and run 8 mi. Getting out of bed in the morning is hard when I'm curled up with my SO. It's hard to envision myself getting up early to run while I'm visiting her, but I need to get the discipline to do so. I've been comparing my pace averages since we've been together, and it looks like I'm slowing down. I'm running longer distances, but I'm running at slower paces. I need to pick up the pace. I have a 5K coming up next week and that definitely should be a faster run that the 13 mi runs.

I feel like I need to get more rest. We need to hang up the phone earlier so that I can run earlier in the mornings.

[hmrambling]

We took it easy over the weekend. I went to her house Saturday after I ran 8 mi (3 mi was with a local running group - it was fun). We went out for pizza Saturday night. We got up earlier than usual for a Sunday morning, and I ran while she rode my bike. I enjoyed getting out and being active with her. We colored mandalas. She cooked and baked cookies. Monday morning (Labor Day), I made pancakes. We chilled out and watched TV. Her sister visited. We got naps in throughout the weekend.

While we were coloring mandalas, I shared a little about my past including what the history of my past relationships look like. We have been taking things much slower than I have in the past. I'm glad that we are taking things slower. I asked her what is different now from her past relationships, and she said that she is more attentive. I'm glad that each of us is able to see the other after we've been through the things that we have, and that we each have learned more life skills to apply to relationships. We're both more mature and wiser. I believe that each of us having a past helps our current relationship.

[hmrambling]

Friday night, I ran the Gleaux run near her city. It was fun and a lot of people were in costume. She supported me 110% in the 5K. We went out to eat near the race. It was a neat little restaurant with outdoor dining.

When we woke up Saturday morning, I ran 5 mi as part of my half marathon training and she rode my bike. We had breakfast in town and then we went to a neat old hardware store and a little shop to shop for her friend who is moving to London. Then we went to her friend's going away party. It was good to see her friends. Saturday night, we went out to a nice restaurant in her city, then went to see an art exhibit. We went for dessert (brownie sundae), and then went home. My calves were sore from Saturday morning's run so she massaged my calves before we called it a night.

Sunday morning, we got up for my long run. I ran 13 miles. She rode my bike. When I finished my run, we visited the farmer's market. It was set up right where we originally started. We enjoyed the farmer's market. We ate jambalaya, drank lemonade, and had desserts. We sat and watched kids play in the fountains before we left.

There was a lot of running over the course of the weekend. We had some good quality time together, too.

This upcoming weekend, we've planned to go to the city and watch the philharmonic orchestra. We're also planning to go to the Chinese restaurant where we first met. It will be 6 months that we've been together.

[hmrambling]

We have 6 months approaching. She got tickets to the symphony tomorrow night. We're going into the city. She's been sounding a little tired and worn down by her work week and I've been sore from running. I'm looking forward to this weekend. I plan to take it easy. I mean emotionally. I want to give her a chance to exhale over the weekend and give myself a weekend of recovery from the pounding my body has taken while training for the half marathon. I have one month until the half marathon, and my goal pace is clearly in sight. I'm glad to have someone in my life who supports me.

[hmrambling]

She gave me roses, chocolates, my favorite mixed nuts, and a card for our six months. We went out to eat at the restaurant where we first met. We went to the symphony in an awesome theater that just re-opened (it was damaged in Hurricane Katrina). It was an awesome night.

The card was really sweet.

It was late when we got back so we both crashed. It was nice waking up to her Sunday morning. It always is. Sometimes I go back to sleep because it's so nice to be curled up with her, and because I like waking up next to her.

I got up and made breakfast and we raced to church after we ate breakfast. The preacher's sermon was on 12 step programs because it is recovery month. We ate with some of the church folks after church. Then we discussed the sermon on the way back to my house. I appreciate her perspectives and opinions.

When we got back to my house, she was short on time to get back home. She had a rehearsal Sunday afternoon that she needed to get back for. I had hoped that we could look on the web together and plan for the trip in December. She had to hit the road, though.

I think the rushed goodbye rattled me.

I've been plagued by 'the disease of more' thinking... wondering what I mean to this woman, what she means in her card, been getting into future thinking, wondering what things look like down the road, if I'll be in the picture down the road, wondering when/if we'll have more time, how long we'll be saying bye on Sunday afternoons, and overall wanting more. More. Just more. More of everything. Mainly more time, fewer goodbyes.

I've reminded myself to be grateful for all that I have, to be grateful for the time that we have together, to stay in the moment, to not worry about the future.

I believe that because I have taken a break from running that I may be going stir-crazy. My legs are swollen and I think it's a good idea to take a little break. I am also frustrated because I was so close to my goal time for the half marathon. I don't want to injure myself, so it is probably best that I take a break from running. I saw the chiro Monday and suggested that I ease back into running. Haha. My training calls for double digit mile runs, and for speed training.

I've been having a lot of conversations in my head regarding my SO and running, which are transparent in this post.

The six month anniversary was great. I really need to get out of my head.

And I'm obsessed with the circumstances around Cameron Bean's death. A woman hit him with her car and left him for dead. He was a professional runner. A cyclist found him and called 911. The woman later said that sun was in her eyes and that she thought she hit a deer. She crossed from the right lane over to the left lane, onto the shoulder and hit a runner. Hit and run. She has not been charged with negligence or anything. That has been a lot of food for thought.

Yup, I need to get out of my head.

[hmrambling]

Over the weekend, I talked to her about the party I was having in my head. She shared her thoughts and concerns, too. I suppose both of us have been getting into a little bit of future thinking without really talking about it. I'm glad we talked. I'm glad we were able to talk in person.

I cooked pot roast Saturday, and it was ready when she showed up. We ate. I went to a meeting and she worked while I was gone. We walked the dogs, and got in bed pretty early Saturday night. Sunday morning, we got up early and got to church on time. I made a quick breakfast that we ate on the way to church. We ate with church folks after church, and then we went back to my house. We talked a good bit Saturday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon. I felt really bonded and close. I even rested my head on her shoulder a little bit at church, without even thinking about it.

Before she left, I packed some pot roast leftovers and some brownies for her to take with her. I like sending her home with home cooked food. I'm really glad we talked.

[hmrambling]

This past weekend, she arrived around 3p on Saturday and I had red beans cooking. She hoped to be there sooner, but life happens. We curled up on the sofa, which turned into an afternoon romp in the bedroom. We hung out and talked in bed. It's always nice to sit and talk with her. It was dark when we emerged. I needed to go get rice for the beans. We went to get fried chicken to go with the red beans and rice, too. After we ate, we returned to the sofa and had a nap. We definitely had a lazy Saturday afternoon/evening. I started grits for Sunday's breakfast.

Sunday morning, a friend came over and we all had a big breakfast. It was nice to entertain a guest while she was over. It kind of felt like a special occasion. She commented that breakfast seemed formal. It wasn't my intention to have a formal breakfast, though. We went to church and then to the potluck after service. When we got back to my house, we had dessert. I made Mississippi Mud Pie Friday night. We laid on the sofa and both drifted off to nap. When we woke, it was time for her to pack up and head home. I packed some red beans and rice and Mississippi Mud Pie for her.

Last night, she judged a concerto competition at our alma mater. The school is about 30 miles from my house, so I went to meet her after the competition. We met with a couple of friends of hers and sat and talked for a while. It was nice to see her on a week night.

Next week makes 6 months since I asked her to be my girlfriend so I am thinking of sending her a card that she'll get on that day.

[hmrambling]

Saturday night, we saw Beasts of the Southern Wild. Wordless Music Orchestra played the music. It was awesome to watch a movie with music performed live. We went to eat in her town before the movie, and then went out for dessert after the movie. It was a very nice date. We got back to her house late.

I slept late. She got up and took the dogs out and fed the dogs. I was out like a light. She cooked breakfast, we ate, and then we went back to sleep. I felt relaxed and rested. She had to leave to go to rehearsal, so she left before I did. I was alone at her house. I left the card at her house last night. She called and said the card was very sweet.

[hmrambling]

Wednesday night, we went to a concert by our alma mater symphony and trumpet player Joseph Alessi. It was awesome. He was really good. We went to eat close to the theater. A couple of her friends walked into the restaurant after us (not a planned meeting), and joined us for dinner. I was tired from a long day, and I was starting to get sick with my sinus/allergies. I went home shortly after I ate. We didn't visit long.

Tonight, she is coming downtown were I work (nearly 2 hour drive for her). It's my birthday. We'll be going to an outside concert, and then going out to eat. Sunday is the half marathon in a city near her, so I'll be driving down to her house tomorrow. I'm feeling a little tired and worn from the back and forth. Plus I'm having sinus/allergy issues. I fully expect to feel 100% wiped out after the half marathon.

[hmrambling]

She met me downtown Friday afternoon, and we went out to eat downtown. It was nice. We walked a little bit and listened to the band for a few minutes. We went to my house and she gave me a Belgian waffle maker for my birthday. I made dessert waffles. They were good.

Saturday evening, I went to her house and she cooked. We made cookies, and sat on her porch talking and eating cookies. We went to bed early and got up early so I could get ready for the half marathon. We made it just in time for the start of the race. She was on the race route, and my sister was, too. After the race, we went for ice cream. One of my friends and my sister joined us for ice cream.

I was sore after the half marathon. I got a cold bath and a nap. She woke me up and asked if I wanted to go to the garden party. I sprung up and told her yes. We went to the garden party, and I bid on a wellness package with massages, personal training, and yoga. I won it. The business is near her city, so we might take the opportunity to meet down there when I go to yoga, personal training, and for massage. We went out for pho. It was a new dining experience for her. I was happy to share a new dining experience with her. When we returned back to her house, I was sore.

She tended to me, and asked me if I wanted to stay. So I stayed Sunday night. We both had to get up early the next morning, so we went to bed early. She liked that we went to bed early. We are going to try to talk on the phone earlier so that we can get to bed earlier at night.

[hmrambling]

She came to my house early Saturday. I cooked sausage, red beans and rice. The beans tasted like I dropped the pepper in them. They were hot. We joked about how hot the beans were. We hung out around the house until she had to leave to go play at a wedding. While she was playing at the wedding, I watched the election results. She got back pretty late from playing at the wedding.

Hurricane Patricia brought in some heavy rain over night and Sunday. We slept in Sunday morning. Missed church completely. We stayed held up in the house (in bed) for the majority of the day. I cooked brunch about 2pm. We shared a nice long bath in the jacuzzi tub until that led to going right back to bed. It was a leisurely day, to say the least. Finally when the sun went down and it was dark, we got up and got our shared shower and then went out for Mexican. We didn't make it out of the house until about 7pm or so.

She waited a while for the worst of the rain to pass, and then she went home around 10pm, which is pretty late for us to be wrapping up a weekend.

We made it 7 months.

I'm looking forward to the live production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show this weekend. Yaaaay! We have tickets for Saturday night.

This weekend's 5K race has been postponed until December. Boooooooooo!