News Flash!

 The husband and I are still on speaking terms.

Honest to dog, I thought for sure we'd have some knockdown, drag out fights now that we're living together again, but it's been quite the opposite.

In a way, we're a little lost. A little disoriented. He still thinks he has to rush off to work, and my routine is like a wobbly wheel. I never know which direction my day will take.

Don't get me wrong. It's a unique and liberating feeling. We do as we please, when we please, but there's no structure yet, no routine. We've been told by others that it'll take at least six months to get used to our new life.

We're still spending more money than I'd like--or maybe I'm just more aware of it. Every time Greg looks at something shiny (read: expensive), I have to remind him we're on a strict budget.

Maybe once we're seeing regular stipends it won't feel so dire. Our expenses have been cut in half since he moved back, so I'm not sure why I'm so anxious when it comes to spending on trifles. Guilty conscience, I suppose.

I've suggested we start an expense journal to see where our money goes every week, and he's agreed. If I can see the numbers in black and white, maybe it will ease my stress.

The biggest surprise for me is that I haven't felt the need for more alone time. Ha! Quite the opposite. We try to spend as much time together as we can. He helps me cook, clean, and feed animals. And get this--all without me asking him to help. I was in shock the first time he volunteered.


Despite the fact we're both intolerable A++ personalities, we really enjoy each other's company. I hope it's always this much fun.

So how are the holidays treating you? Are you finished Christmas shopping? My Christmas cards were supposed to be done last night, but they're still staring me in the face this morning. No help from Greg on this one.

Why are greeting cards always left to the wife to write? Any theories?

I'm 99% sure this blog will go through an evolution come 2015. You can expect to see more topics on homesteading, saving money, and the business side of publishing. (My three passions.) If you have any other suggestions, let me know.

Are there any changes in store for you in 2015?


PS  if you see the word verification in the comment box, ignore it. It's just a glitch. Your comment should post whether you type it in or not. At least that's been my experience on other people's blogs.



Comments

Unknown said…
Nice to see you two haven't come to blows. That's always a good thing.

Husband must have read my blog post, because he spent most of yesterday putting up decorations, or maybe it was because he was home for a couple days and was trying to find something to do. Not sure.
Maria Zannini said…
Darke: Yeah. Most of our arguments burn hot and fast. We're usually over it in a few minutes--unless he's being pigheaded. LOL!

Glad you got the house decorated--and got Tim to do it. Way to go! :)

I hope you post pictures.
LD Masterson said…
Ah, the honeymoon. May it last forever. About the cards... our list is marked his and hers. He's responsible for his work friends, golf buddies, etc. and I get everyone else. Yeah, I do the lion's share but we both know he has to do his list so he's at least involved in the process.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: Greg always hands me his list with the excuse that my handwriting is better than his. Oy!
Unknown said…
So glad you're still on speaking terms, lol.

I once started an expense journal because I was convinced OH's spending habits would have us bankrupt. When I realised that my spending habits left a tad to be desired, I gave that up. ;)

As for the Christmas cards, I have to do them all or they'd arrive at Easter!
B.E. Sanderson said…
Yay! I worried about that when my husband retired, too. I'm so glad you're enjoying each others' company, like we are. The lost and disoriented will pass. It'll take however long it takes. Yeah, the budget thing is always a challenge, but once you have one and stick to it, it becomes a habit.

So far, the holidays here have been relaxed. I still have the local neighbor cards to sign and send, but I have time. Hubs never did cards before we got married, and I always did, so for the first time in forever, his family has gotten cards every year. Maybe it's a girl thing.

Can't wait to see the changes. 2015 is going to be a change-filled year, I think. We'll see how we weather it. :hugs:
Stephen Tremp said…
Good luck with the living arrangements. And we're looking forward to a great 2015. This past year was full of challenges we are ready to leave behind us.
Mike Keyton said…
I think it's a very nice world you're wandering into. Enjoy :)

And because I'm a worrier, I'm going to type in 102
Glad it's going well. My husband drives me crazy when he's home. He disrupts my routine entirely.
That word veri needs to get straightened out though I too noticed you don't have to type it in.
Angela Brown said…
You and hubby are just two peas in a pod seperated for so long that being together a lot is just naturally beautiful :-)

Holidays are moving along in the Brown residence. Making some changes in both my personal life and writing life that I hope will be big pluses come the new year.

I hope things continue swimmingly for you, hubby and your fur babies :-)
LD Masterson said…
Don't let him get away with that one. I tell Stan they're his friends, they can deal with his handwriting. Lol.
Maria Zannini said…
Shirley: I'm usually tougher on policing spending than is necessary. When you've been poor as a child, the lessons kind of stick with you.

In this case though, it's all new territory so it's probably a good idea to get our bearings and see where we spend the most money and why.
Maria Zannini said…
BE: Sometimes I feel that I've planned all my life for this particular moment. And maybe in the big scheme of things, I did.

It feels weird, but in a good way. Kind of like I'm in a dream, hoping I don't wake up.
Maria Zannini said…
Stephen: I hear you on challenges. I hope all of us can have a more fruitful year next year. We're due.
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: LOL. So far I've gone without typing any word verification since this glitch appeared and survived.

Because I too am a worrier, I copy the comment before I post it--just in case. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Susan: I expected that in my case too, but strangely, I don't seem to care if my routine is derailed. He gives me enough time to take care of my paying gigs and the rest of the time we play.
Maria Zannini said…
Angela:
Re: peas in a pod
That's more true than you can imagine. I've always said we were soul mates because of how uniquely in tuned we are to each other. It's almost surreal, but in a good way.
Sarah Ahiers said…
I'm mostly done shopping, but am still waiting for a few presents to be delivered
Unknown said…
We do the cards because we have better handwriting. :)

Happy Holidays!
Dru said…
Happy Holidays!

I like the topics that you present on your blog because I always learn something new. Looking forward to the blog's evolution.

Glad you and hubby living together full-time is working out for you both.
Jenny Schwartz said…
What a lovely post. Thank you, Maria - and I look forward to more homesteading and frugal posts next year :)

I'm hoping 2015 brings me lots of writing and publishing. 2014 was too full of distraction. LOL I've seen real life and I reject it!
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: I've tried to order online for most gifts. It made it so much easier this year.
Maria Zannini said…
Diane: That's the excuse Greg gives me. Ordinarily, I don't mind, but I'd like some adulation for the effort. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Dru: I think there will be less publishing news and more real life topics, subjects that will appeal to a wider audience. That's the plan, anyway.
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: 2014 has been a stressful year. I'd like to keep what hair I have left for next year. :)

Here's to us!
I'm glad you're getting along. When R started working at home, we took a while to get used to each other. Now we're pros.

As for 2015, I'd like to start doing two books a year if I can manage it!
Gwen Gardner said…
Being home together is a big adjustment. When the hubs and I moved to Colorado and both working from home, it was a huge adjustment for me. I felt all squirmy because I wasn't going out to work. It took a while. We get along really well, too. But we treated M-F like work days. I went to my loft to write and he went to his computer. Happy Holidays, Maria! (P.S., it's so funny you stopped by yesterday, because I woke up thinking about you and had planned on stopping by your blog :D)
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: I know you can do two books a year--as long as hubby leaves you alone. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Gwen: I was expecting a bigger (more shouty) adjustment. I guess we've been married so long, we didn't need as much fine-tuning.

He's good about leaving me alone when I have design work to do.
Rebekah Loper said…
I am glad you haven't harmed each other (yet?). The blogosphere wouldn't be the same without you!

I have finished up all my Christmas shopping done except for one gift that I have to drive about 20 miles to retrieve, and I'm honestly considering just giving said person (my mother-in-law, actually) the money to cover the gift so she can pick out exactly what she wants. Because all I know is a brand name of chalk paint. She gave me no hints as to color.

I'm not done wrapping yet, though. Things still haven't finished arriving, whee.
Maria Zannini said…
Rebekah: I think I'd give her a gift card too, this way she gets exactly what she needs.

Glad it's almost Christmas.