Five Minutes Make ALL The Difference

Last weekend Jake and I had no choice but to dedicate our Saturday to cleaning, organizing, and otherwise getting on top of all household needs.

Both of our schedules had been go, go, go, so we had at least five loads of laundry to wash, fold, and put away, two sinks full of dishes to clean (with a possibly broken dishwasher to inspect), shelves to dust, and an entire apartment to tidy and vacuum. And while we were in the mode, we wanted to organize dresser drawers and get rid of...anything and everything. I've been in a total stuff detoxing mode and am more freely letting go of so many things that I simply don't need. (Or don't want to need.) Yes, this girl is down to half of a small closet....like 2 1/2 feet of hangers. Jake actually has equal space! Three years ago I alone filled two walk-in closets.

So we stayed focused most of the day and were able to make our apartment presentable and, in all actuality, livable.

I did not want to let that amazing-clean-apartment-environment slip away.

So every night, we decided to simply tidy our apartment for five minutes before we'd go to bed. That five minutes allowed for cleaning any dishes, putting away clothes, wiping down bathroom sinks, folding blankets, or even emptying the trash.

My goodness, our simply technique worked amazingly.

Enter Thursday night.

Thursdays are my long days of teaching. And my last day of teaching for the week. So I'm usually exhausted by the otherwise early 7 pm I get home. If I sit down...I don't get back up. Jake works until 9:30 pm and had also taken two tests that day and then had to stay out later working on a paper. Needless to say, neither of us managed to dedicate five minutes before we crashed for the evening. (I may have fallen asleep by 8 pm on the couch.) This also led to us missing the five minutes Friday night. And here it is Saturday. A Saturday that Jake entirely spent in an 8-5 class and then 5:30-2am work shift, and I spent 8-6 doing an instructor training and then grocery shopping and errands.

And I wish hadn't missed those 15 minutes. It's crazy the difference it makes. Luckily, we have tomorrow schedule free and another opportunity to start our five minute technique once again.

On Paper vs Reality

The other day, Jake and I headed to the bank together. Since getting married we have been working on getting our finances streamlined in the best banking options for us. I personally had three savings accounts, three checking accounts, plus additional business accounts. Then Jake had his old accounts, we had opened a joint account, AND later decided to move to an institution that would be easier and more beneficial for us long term. Let's just say it's been a bit of a mess.

So we headed to the bank to close accounts, move things around, and withdraw anything left over.

We waited for a few minutes before a banker came to greet us. He was of some Latin ethnicity with a Spanish last name. After shaking our hands and getting an idea of what we needed, we headed to his office where he asked for a name on the accounts.

"Karianne Ortiz," I say.

He looks up. And glances from me to Jake and back again.

"Ortiz?" He addresses Jake. "So your last name is Ortiz? Is that..." He trailed off.

I pipe in. "Oh yes, he's half Puerto Rican. And he's the only one in his family who doesn't look it."

"Do you speak Spanish?," he asks Jake.

"Nope."

The banker laughs and then goes on to tell us how one of his children is dark and one is light.

Then, while working on our accounts, he notices the nickname on a couple accounts.

Zumba Checking
Zumba Saving

"Oh, do you teach Zumba? Like salsa, merengue, cha cha?"

"Yep."

"Wow, you guys really have the Latin thing going for you."

Jake replies. "Oh yes. On paper we totally do. Until you meet us in person."

On Paper

Last name: Ortiz
Ancestry: 1/2 Puerto Rican
Profession: Zumba Instructor

Reality

White. White. White.

Life As Of Late

I have chuckled to myself on multiple occasions when I think of my last post about Jake and his military service. Why? Because the day after sharing that, I had a future-military-wife breakdown of sorts. I even tried to fool Jake into believing that I took that post down. Jokingly, of course.

Jake was offered a different position within the Air Force—a position that seems, to me, a lot more dangerous with potential more deployments. Initially we were offered four hours to decide. FOUR HOURS.

I don't make decisions well under pressure. I get stressed. I get frustrated. I just want to get out of the situation and not decide. I'm the kind of person that takes months to decide certain things. I make charts. I make lists. I think about every potential outcome. Four hours does not accommodate that process.

While we were able to extend our deadline over the weekend, that initial pressure resulted in a version of Karianne that was not exactly supportive about the military career decision.

Using that extra time, I found my own personal calm, and we made the decision. I know this field is something Jake is passionate about, and I too am excited about the various opportunities we'll experience as a couple and family.

As Jake's graduation date creeps closer, we are getting more and more information about his career, training, and where we'll be for all of that. I didn't expect to find out ANY timeline details until early 2015, but, while things can DEFINITELY change in the coming months, right now we are looking to head to Pensacola, Florida in the early summer of 2015.

Yes, that move makes me nervous. Even though I never planned to stay around Provo—or even Utah for that matter—I've been living here about ten years on my own, and I'm comfortable. I know the area. I know all the good restaurants. I have my connections. I've built up my careers in this area (communications, Annesali, Zumba/UJam)...and I know our imminent move means I start back at square one (at least in some regard).

That said, I'm excited. I know Jake is excited. I need these type of changes to push me out of my comfort zone and offer opportunities to grow and experience different things in life. So here's to 2015...and exciting changes!