Sufjan and sweet cocoa
Posted by Sarah on 28 Nov 2006 at 10:02 pm | Tagged as: Thinking Happy Thoughts
I’m listening to Sufjan Stevens’ new album, Songs for Christmas. Wonderful, awesome, unique Christmas songs! Even a few hymns, my favorite! So I’m all nostalgic, feeling warm and good. The weather here is very cold, and it is supposed to snow tonight. Hopefully we’ll have a late start at school tomorrow until the roads get cleared off!
Rob is gone to Italy for the rest of the week on business- what a rough job to have to go to Rome, huh? I miss him so much already. I wasn’t prepared for how empty the house would be without him. It reminds me of the Sunday evenings before we were married, when he’d just left to go back to Denver for the week and I was still full from all the joy we’d crammed into the weekend.
Thanksgiving was wonderfully relaxing last week. Rob and I went to Kansas City to visit his family. It was so nice, we even golfed with his dad and I got to run one day outside. The family celebrated Christmas early and made tiny gingerbread (graham cracker) houses. I’m kinda proud of these. Click on the photo to view all of our creative masterpieces.
I was thinking about alone time and how we use time for ourselves, versus time for relationships. I remember walking back into my dorm room in the evenings to find my roommate immersed in reflection or journaling. Candles lit, lights low, music playing, it was taken so seriously. I hated interrupting these moments. I find myself taking that time alone and pushing through it, racing to pass time and trying to forget I’m alone. I don’t enjoy it, really. Should I?
On another note- relationships with other women. This is on my mind lately because I feel like lately I’ve neglected some very important friendships. I feel a little lost about how to budget my time right now. I did decide, though, that I’m going to my church’s Women At the Well retreat Saturday with my friend Becky. It’s not your typical women’s retreat where you craft (although I would enjoy that too). It’s just peaceful, time to reflect and study Scripture with other women and enjoy each other. I think I’m looking forward to it!
I am the same way with my “alone” time. Anytime I sit down to journal or just enjoy the view, I feel like I should be up and doing something else. Yeah – Like I have other things to do! : )
I, too, have been thinking about female relationships lately. I think because I was always just “one of the guys” in high school and college. I didn’t (and still don’t) have too many girl friends. But now it’s weird to have a lot of guy friends when you’re married, so now I have a VERY few set of girl friends. (Plus, Drew is my very best friend, and I’d rather spend most of my (and his) free time together.) I don’t want to be one of “Those” couples that doesn’t have friends and only talks to each other…we are NOT that way, and don’t plan on becoming that. But, Darn It!, I LOVE spending time with my husband…not a thing wrong with that!! : )
Plus, girls are hard to be friends with. It’s hard to find a good Single friend that understands your commitment to your marriage (and, sadly, sometimes its hard to find a married friend who understands your marriage when they don’t have a good one). Really, it’s hard to find ANY sort of friend who can be completely honest with you and who you can be honest with, too. And to be completely…well…honest…I really only have ONE friend like that. Most of my other girl friends are too “girly” (what a terrible way to phrase that…sorry) and get mad when you tell them something they did bothered you in some way… For example…I have a friend who was raised here and has only ever lived here…she barely knows what the rest of the country looks like. But anytime i bring up my homestate, she makes fun of it and the people there..that they are stupid and it’s a bad place to live, etc. It really bothers me and hurts my feelings, but I KNOW if I bring it up she will get insanely upset. We wouldn’t be able to have a calm conversation about it. That’s insane to me. I want friends that I can completely count on and be completely honest with. Is that too much to ask??? (Course, Drew says to just go ahead and have her get mad…then I wouldn’t have to deal with her anymore and that would solve my problems…boys have it so easy!: ) heehehee)
Wow. Wasn’t trying to write a novel…sorry! : ) But thanks for letting me vent.
Great post, dear! Interesting bit about alone time. I had always thought I was a loner type, but now that we’re married I don’t desire that alone time much anymore. A few hours a week is plenty for me!
Take for instance right now. I’m really bummed you are aren’t in Rome with me!
Wow Rob. . . Rome!
Sarah, don’t put expectations on yourself right now. Just enjoy life and do what you want to. You’re newly married and no doubt want to spend a lot of time with Rob. That’s awesome. I am really passionate about women’s relationships and could not do without mine. It’s ok though to focus on your newest best friend!
I am going out with girlfriends tonight! I am driving so I hope it snows so I can use the four wheel drive!!!! Hehe! That will be a sight! I picked Karen up one time in one of James’ company box trucks. We laughed so hard when we backed out of Sonic and it beeped real loud like big trucks do. The employees were laughing with us! We look a little prissy I think.
I absolutely LOVE women’s retreats and I go to everyone that I can. Have fun, laugh hard and may God show you something new about his character!
What a normal thing it must be to struggle with the balance of husband vs. girlfriends! I too, am going through it. In fact, my group of girlfriends (an incredible group of really honest, raw, have-at-it, supportive women) have called a ’summit’ to openly and collectively address the ways we’ve been hurt by each other. We used to be very close, and now that many of us are married and smattered throughout Chicagoland, we’re not sure how to ‘do life together’ with so many changes that have taken place.
Anyway – thanks for your post. I agree with Jules – let yourself enjoy your new best friend – your new priority!
Speaking of Sufjan, have you listened to “The Avalanche? It consists of several additions to Illinoise including some alternate versions… Also, I couldn’t find the pink dog referenced in the pictures!