Happy New Year & reflections

First off, Happy New Year to all! What a wonderful day yesterday – I told Trey before bed that yesterday really could not have been a more perfect one to start a new year. As I never got around to doing the Thanksgiving post I’d intended to, I may get reflective toward the end, so be warned!

The remaining days of last week were fun – we did some wine tasting with Kristin and Jonathan for their wedding. I wish we would’ve had a video camera to get footage of Kristin not liking the wines, especially the driest red Trey suggested. Not only was a the normal “eww, this is nasty” look she typically gives, but there was a series of faces that had me concerned she was going to lose her dinner right in front of us…and all from a tiny sip of wine no bigger than what you’d typically get at communion. Jonathan and his mom did like the one red quite a bit, the McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Shiraz – a great bargin for less than $10 – so they’re all set for the wedding! Music will be a snap for them as well, as they’re not nearly as picky as most other folks.

Friday night I got to be domestic and cook for Trey, something I love doing, but don’t get to all that often (he cooks for me, too, if he gets the chance to, and really, it’s best when we can cook together). I found a super easy recipe for mustard seen crusted chicken that he and I both loved, so it will become one of our staples for sure. Saturday I took advantage of my free day and did lots of straightening up at home while Trey was at work before we met Kristin & her crew, Tony & Lisa, and some others at the Yard House. Didn’t try and any new beers this time because I had my heart seat on some Rogue Hazelnut Brown – I think Rogue is from Oregon (?) so I’m betting Martha can get it really fresh? Lucky girl!

Sunday morning was double duty at church, and one of those rare Sundays that I really screw something up. Fortunately no one but me and the organist had the music, no one in the congregation knew the piece, and the organist stayed with me despite my unusually poor sight-reading skills. Then it was back home to veg out after a long week. Trey worked until 8, and picked up some Lou Malnati’s on the way home which we enjoyed with a bottle of Pillar Box Red, both of which made the abominable performance of the Bears quite a bit less painful. At midnight we popped open our bubbly and had black-eyed peas and crashed. Monday we did a bit of shopping together before heading over to Oma’s with everyone – again the 4 Rill kids were together! Lisa, being the good German girl she is, survived it all, too, so we’re happy (Onkel Walter, you will see a picture soon!).

Now, on to the reflection of the year…this one’s been nuts for us, too. Less than two months into it we found out that we would be coming back to the states quite a bit earlier than anticipated, which meant lots of hasty good-byes and last-minute rearranging, the anxiety of coming back without a dwelling place or jobs, getting a third cat back with us, and doing it all with one of us having a broken foot. I think it’s a credit to us and to how much we’d grown over the previous year that we got through it so well and came out still so strong. Time spent together since we’ve been back has been less than we’d like, but I think we’re each enjoying more because we’re not taking it for granted.

Also, within a short period of time back in the Chicago area both of us were actively pursuing musical opportunities as well, both together and separately. I still marvel at how lucky we were to have found each other in the first place, because most weeks one or both of us is gone on three separate weeknights because of rehearsals and at some point during the weekend due to a performance or rehearsal, but that’s Ok with both of us because we’re doing what makes us happy and is so important to each of our foundations as human beings. We’re looking forward to working much more this year, and doing a little bit together again.

Warning: this paragraph might be TMI about my birth control. Something else that I’ve been working on for several months is our long-term birth control. I’ve been on the pill for almost 8 years (except for that brief stint with the Nuvaring, which I loved until I got cystic acne), which makes me paranoid every time I’m later taking a pill than I should be, and which I believe is the main reason for my now very low sex drive (why else would an otherwise healthy 27 year old woman who’s attracted to her husband never be in the mood?). I found a great doctor this fall, who happened to suggest an IUD, something I’d never really considered because I thought it was only for older women. I did more research and decided it was best for me, she figured out the insurance stuff and got it all ordered, and then the wacky medical group to which she belongs decided they were no longer going to do IUDs on anyone, period. Well, three months later things are finally working out and this Friday I will get my copper IUD, which will cover us for 10 years!

Something else that has helped recently on the no kid front is the research I’ve done on child free organizations. Yes, we love kids, but we don’t want any of our own, and knowing that there are lots of other people out there who feel the same way is great. I’ve got plenty of ammunition the next time someone tells me I’m selfish, and some better ideas on what to tell people who respond with “Oh, you’ll change your mind” in order to shut them up. I’m fine with being the cool aunt, and if life ever calms down I think I’d really welcome the idea of becoming a foster parent, but that’s it.

So, that’s probably long-winded enough for now. I’ll post more in a few days – good luck to all with starting out the new year and getting back into the swing of things!