The view outside of the kitchen window this morning; to be specific, the window over the sink. It’s awfully pretty, but don’t let that fool you. We got at least 8 inches of snow, maybe even more. It was a PIA to shovel and snowblow. PIA = Pain in the ass.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate the beauty of snow, or know how important it is for our well and the water table. I do. And if we had a short suburban driveway that was flat, it wouldn’t be so hard to handle. But we have a driveway that goes uphill and a largish parking area at the top.
Anyway. It is what it is.
I’m in a bit of a melancholic mood this morning because the enormity of what is about to happen in our lives has really hit me. Don is going to be moving into NYC for an indefinite period of time. We’ve just been through a great year, yes, but a year where we apart for close to 7 months. And we’re heading into another challenging year. Yes, it will be better because I can get into the city and, once the show’s open, Don can get home for 24 – 36 hours each week. Nevertheless, seeing each other on a consistent daily basis will not be happening. This is not helped, of course, by my worries about handling everything this winter.
I know all the positives, believe me. And I’m grateful for them. Separations because of work have been a big part of our married life. We know how to handle them. But they’re usually for a month or two months. We have no guarantees about the length of the show’s run; Broadway is a crap shoot. But we’re hoping for a long run.
Sigh. You don’t have to cheer me up, just humor me. And no, I can’t stay with him indefinitely. It’s winter in the Hudson Valley and I have to make sure the pipes don’t freeze and be here to shovel snow so I can move the cars in and out and so delivery services like our heating oil and propane have access to the driveway and I have plants to water. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to know the quirks of our house.
We’ll be fine. We know it’s a great adventure and 98% of the time we look at it that way. It’s just that it’s finally happening.
We needed them like a hole in the head, but it snowed for over half the day yesterday and I needed something to do. I’m going to pack up most of the cookies and take them to Don’s apartment.
Since we lost a day and a half to snow, we’re going to drive in on Saturday morning rather than Friday morning. Don wants this whole move to be as stress-free as possible and I don’t blame him. We’ll pack the car, drive to NYC and his building, double park, unload everything, and Don will drive to a parking facility. Then we’ll move everything in. I’ll hang around for a few days and then I’ll drive back Monday or Tuesday, depending on the weather. He starts rehearsals on Monday.
And I’m taking the Christmas tree down today. January 18th – that’s a record.
Happy Thursday.
Those cookies look scrumptious! You’ve got Stella all figured out. The bittersweet of having a great job and being away from home. You will treasure your time together even more. Good luck moving into the city.
Thank you, Karen!
Hi dear Claudia! I know just what you are going through. My husband and I have had times like these. So glad of the work, but really, apart so long! Nooooo…. I don’t mind so much during sunny months, but the winter thing just makes it difficult in many ways. And we had an older house with little quirks to! Those houses do NOT want to be left on their own. I will send out lots of good vibes. And good luck Don! Break a guitar string! (I really hate that break a leg thing, sorry). Hugs.
Thanks so much for understanding, Verna!
It’s never easy being separated but you do have two very good friends who live nearby — is this their first East Coast winter? Maybe you could help each other out?
No, both of them have lived in NYC for years and Rick and I lived in Boston for many years. They know what they’re doing!
I wish we could swap houses for a couple weeks, Claudia. I desperately need a ‘snow fix’ and we are having a record dry winter here in Colorado. You could enjoy balmy 60 degree temps! and I would get to shovel snow. My husband traveled for most of his career, and while it was hard with the kids, I was always so busy. It was in the later years when it was just the two of us that I hated it. I’m thankful he is now working a job that doesn’t require travel.
It’s so strange that you Coloradans are not getting snow!
I think it’s harder being apart the older we get.
My husband reminds me all the time that the yucky snow results in the beautiful flowers in the summer. I try to keep it in my mind, but in this extreme cold we have been enduring, it seems to get frozen out of my consciousness.
It isn’t that you CAN’T do it, Claudia, we all know how strong you are. It is just in the winter it is so much harder on your own. The walls truly close in on us. Summertime is still lonely, of course, but with the outdoor things that need to be done, being able to sit on the porch and find some peace during the day, and just having the birdsong, makes it somehow not so daunting. But heat and bad weather are there, too. I think as we get older, it gets more difficult, too. Summing it up, it is never a good time to be apart.
Hope your Thursday is productive!
SO much harder in winter! I’m trying to stay positive but, given the nature of this particular winter, I’m worried. Thanks Chris.
I know you cherish your time together, Claudia, and I know both of you will adjust to the new routine while Don is in Margaritaville. I also know you have the support and love of many of your reader fans! We’ll all get through this together… the snow, the winter, the show.
Thanks so much for understanding, Wendy!
Cookies look delicious. Good thoughts for a safe drive into New York City, my friends, as well as an easy move into the apartment. Still frigid here. I think the whole country is suffering this winter. Maybe spring will come early. At least we can hope so. And as each day passes, it is one day closer to spring.
Wouldn’t that be lovely? I’m all in for an early spring, Dottie!
you’re among friends dearest bean!
you shouldn’t worry about how anything sounds. friends have your back.
here’s to success! and sunny weather! and GREAT cookies! and TRUE LOVE! :)
I think Don should write a song about it! XO♥
Don’s written a lot of songs about that! I listen to them all the time.
am sorry you have those worries, but glad you let them out. best wishes and prayers for the traveling and move-in, the weather, the show on broadway, all the chores that still need to be done … everything!
glad you will be able to spend time with don in nyc and he can come home on a regular basis when the show is on broadway. glad, too, that you have some friends now nearby who are experienced with winter. am sure you can all help each other if needed … and hopefully it’s not needed!
and those cookies look soooo good!
kathy in iowa
They are! I just had one.
just one? you are strong! :)
kathy in iowa
At that specific time! I had several more as the day progressed.
Never been married, so it wouldn’t be honest of me to say “I can relate.” But I recognize that it must be really hard, even in your “business” where it’s almost a given that partners will be separated a lot of the time. At least you’ll be relatively close for this one. No coastal or continental distances to cope with. Not even long-distance charges, right? With cell phones, Skype etc – that must make quite a difference. A hundred years ago, there were only letters and very-expensive-usually-just-emergency phone calls. And now? Virtually instantaneous contact no matter where you are in the world. Or the possibility of that at least. Plus – who knows what wonders & benefits await if the show does have a long run? So you’re wise to have such a positive attitude about it. But you’re definitely not required to LIKE the idea, that’s for sure. So go ahead & vent all you need to here. We understand. Have a good Thursday! Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Well, we don’t have long distance charges anyway – we’re on a cell phone plan as Family so we’re never charged when we call each other – no matter how far away.
But I remember being far away and having to reverse the charges. And before answering machines, just keep calling until someone picked up!
Thanks, Janet.
I can’t imagine having to move your dear husband to a new place and know of how much you’ll be apart. Hang in there! Hank is one adorable boy! I think they’re going to have a lot of joy with him. He’s going to be BIG! And handsome. I do think you’ll enjoy making his new apt. homey. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
They’re crazy about him. Little Hank has won the whole family over, Teresa.
I just got my christmas tree down this past weekend, the 12th, and I still have my entire dining room / hutch, etc to put away (I have a gingerbread / vintage stuff look going on in there). Anyways, the cookies look yummy and at least you will be a bit closer this time around. And I know you will make his apt. a ‘home-away-from-home” for him, though you will miss him dearly.
Dawn P.
Thanks so much, Dawn. I think we’ll buy some plants for him. (I’ll leave him strict instructions as to watering!)
It is so exciting and yet the being apart for so long is hard. I know you will manage as the two of you are very special people. Still it’s hard and that’s OK to be a bit sad. I don’t think any home would like to be left alone all winter and not your sweet cottage. We are all here to support you and Don as this new year unfolds. Cookies look good. I’m eating soft foods today and nothing after midnight since surgery tomorrow. EEK!
I’ll be sending positive thoughts your way tomorrow, my friend! All is well.
You are right, the snow scene is pretty. Snow is fine if you do not have to go out and shovel or travel.
Marilyn
Exactly!
Well, I don’t know what happened but I just penned one of my too-long comments about how you’ll be just fine in this time apart, Claudia, but your blog zapped me with an ‘error’ message and deleted everything I’d written over the last 15 mins; never had that happen before. Grrrrr. But I was thinking of you, I really was!!
Well, I don’t know if the blog zapped you. Just a server error, I imagine.
It’s pretty boring here today….I think I’ll bake some cookies! lol…good luck on the move!
Thank you, Nancy!
I understand, Claudia . Life is so full of unexpected bumps i the road…and sometimes they are easy ones and sometimes they cause great distress. Even blessings sometimes come with devil horns. lol
You are a strong woman so I know you will handle it with aplomb and grace. I will keep you in my prayers. xo Diana
Oh, thank you so much, Diana!