enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

right now.

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Yesterday, Paul and I went to his new hospital for check in day. I had plans to blog about all the ways it was like Grey's Anatomy (I rode in the elevator with an awkward silence and climbed the stairwells.) But in the end, the day became much longer and more serious than that. There wasn't a lot for me to do but sit and listen. And watch him fill out forms regarding the process of notifying next of kin. In case of emergency and etc.

Everyone on a military base knows what etc. means.

That was hard. That is hard.

We have had a really great couple of weeks as we settled into our new town. I joked to Paul that it's felt like a second honeymoon. And it really has. We've had time to decorate (one room that is; I should note, the other rooms are no where near complete). We've had time to make dinners out of cookbooks (instead of the usual nachos in the oven or spaghetti). We've had time to visit local happy hours and wander the farmer's market.

It's been awesome.

But it's been a vacation, not our real life.

Real life starts soon when Paul becomes a medical intern. I was briefed yesterday on the true meaning of long work hours. It was explained that by law you have to have ten hours at home between shifts. Considering Paul likes to get about seven hours of sleep that means there will be very little free time around here. (Basically, I think we'll be pretty glad we canceled our cable.)

And this means I need to continue working out what real life means for me.

Unlike Paul, I don't have a job lined up. Instead, I have a small chart of ideas. An action plan for how I want to improve my blog, my shop and my custom invitations process. I have long and short term goals that right now are so daunting I just want to continue honeymooning for the summer.

But today, Paul went back to the hospital by himself and I got down to business. To printing and designing and cutting. To emailing and blogging and spreadsheeting. I'm excited and scared. And anxious and exhilarated.

And late in the day I reread this post and oh man, I am still so thankful.

Real life, we're almost ready for you. Let's go.

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23 responses to “right now.”

  1. Melanie K. Avatar
    Melanie K.

    I am so excited for you two … but yeah, those hours are worse than worse! Remember you have a lot of support out here in blogland. We may not ‘know’ you, but we are still here. Hugs!

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  2. jcristg Avatar
    jcristg

    I didn’t realize he was a physician. Worry not. As my fiancé finishes his intern year, it hasn’t been as bad as I feared. Honestly, dating through med school was worse. Granted some months are better than others, and some rotations more appealing with more free time, but you figure it out. I think we are stronger as a team because of it. Best of luck to you both!

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  3. Emily Kate Avatar
    Emily Kate

    I hope you continue to blog about your experiences with Paul as an intern. My husband is about to take Step 1 of the Boards and start his rotations. I’m much more nervous about residencies though, since I know how demanding they can be. 10 hours between shifts, wow. That’s about what we’re living now for his study schedule for boards but doing it for years… Please, if you can, share how the experience goes for both of you.
    Your new place looks delightful!

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  4. Gabi Avatar
    Gabi

    Best luck to both of you!
    I can’t wait to see your new projects, Elise!

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  5. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    This post gave me chills. I can relate to so many of the words you wrote and I’m thrilled to see where this adventure will take you. (I know how corny that sounds, but it’s true.) xo

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  6. desiree Avatar
    desiree

    good luck with this new step in your life. I am sure it will be a fun adventure for you both.

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  7. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    we found third year of med school to be muuch harder than fourth year. Ive heard intern year is about on par and a little worse than third year. Ill keep you posted for sure. good luck!!

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  8. chris Avatar
    chris

    I went back and read the post you linked to. I’d never read it before, and I have to say that I love how honest you are in all of your postings…past and present. I could almost feel how you must have felt during those times. And now… We’re all here to be your support system during those long hours and etc. Because…I, too, understand what etc means since my husband works in the Gulf of Mexico on a boat in the oil fields…and he’s already had at least one close call. Also, can’t wait to see whatever new projects you have up your sleeve and how your Summer book is turning out so far.

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  9. naomi chokr Avatar
    naomi chokr

    i hear yah. my husband works 6 days a week. he doesnt get home till 7pm. i only see him about 3-4 hours at night and on Sunday. i guess i never expected this kind of life. i always thought we would have more time to spend with each other. but with the little time that we have we try to make the most out of it.
    i miss him everyday ….even when he’s home i miss him. but im just so greatful that we found each other and we’re together. Also that he choose me to spend 3-4 hours and a sunday with. hahahaha!

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  10. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    thank you. I appreciate what you said so much.

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  11. breanne and madelyn Avatar
    breanne and madelyn

    sending all the love to you, elise. what a fun adventure you’re on 🙂 i know it’s going to be hard at times, but i know that you are awesome at getting to the next step and making the absolute best of it 🙂

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  12. s.patel Avatar
    s.patel

    my hubby is about to start his 5th (and last!!) year of residency–it’s tough and there is a lot of sacrificing of things you want to do together or time you want to spend together for the sake of his sanity/sleep (i don’t know if they may be better about it in the military but the work limit regulations don’t seem to be strictly enforced in all places), but you will get through it. you’ll have a lot of time to discover/rediscover parts of yourself while he lives at the hospital, and the time you spend together will be that much more cherished and sweet. and there IS a light at the end of the tunnel! there were times i thought it would never end and here we are starting to think about what comes next!

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  13. susan Avatar
    susan

    After 13 moves, and a very creative – at home – career – all I can suggest is that you make “people time” and go out for art dates & filling the creative well times. I love my writing, sewing, painting, textile and art making life, but with a busy working hubby, I know I’d go crazy without some other people with whom to laugh, go for coffee and look through a gallery or cool shop together!

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  14. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    this is great advice. thank you.

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  15. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    I only know you via your blog, but I feel confident that you will succeed in all your goals or make new ones that fit you and Paul’s life better.
    For what it’s worth, 14 months after our wedding and we’re still on different work schedules many days. It’s difficult, but it does make those few hours you spend together totally worth it. And you do find other things to do together, other ways to support, to love, to be there without necessarily being there.
    So, in short, real life is what you make of it, and I’m pretty sure you guys’ll do better than many.

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  16. giuseppina Avatar
    giuseppina

    thank you for your honesty elise

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  17. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    My boyfriend just joined the Navy and the etc. scares me to death. He is my plan and I’m not quite sure what I’d do if anything happened to him. I like reading about your creative endeavors, but it’s also nice to know there are others in the same semi-freaked out military girlfriend/wife boat. (While I appreciate that my bf has a job, I could do without the military stuff.) So thanks for sharing your life, even the sucky parts.

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  18. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I hear you. Very scary. Glad we can talk about it.

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  19. Muriel Croom Avatar
    Muriel Croom

    If you need a buddy for happy hour, it might be fun to meet up sometime.
    What type of job are you looking for?

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  20. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    very cool. thank you!
    and sorry – I wasnt too clear, I am not looking for a job, just planning on growing my own work from home business, so the shop, the blog, workshops, custom orders, etc.

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  21. Annemiek Avatar
    Annemiek

    I know you will do well Elise, it might take some time to adjust and sure enough 10 hours between shifts doesn’t sound like fun. But you have proven again and again that you know how to build up a life for yourself and I know you can do it here as well.
    I for one am constantly inspired by your posts. Just an idea, if you put together a virtual class on how to make minibooks, I promise I’ll be there :).

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  22. Kathianne Avatar
    Kathianne

    My husband is just finishing 13 years of surgical training. I met him in the first week of his residency. That was 9 years ago. There were LONG work hours and it was hard, but we got through it. You will too. One the bright side: you can’t ever really get sick of each other. : )

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  23. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    Three years ago I would have given anything for a job that challenged me mentally, gave me the opportunity to move up, and offered me a schedule that would allow me to go to school. I was told that working for IKEA would me such a job.
    Yesterday morning, I ended three years of being grossly underpaid, overworked (to the point of multiple injuries) and taken advantage of. I wish I had thought of developing my at-home business three years ago (or perhaps, I wasn’t quite ready for it).
    For about a year and a half now, I’ve read your blog and followed your journey through making a life for yourself (and Paul) with your at-home business. I started my first unemployed day making a [rough] game plan, but knowing that you’re happy doing your thing, and that other bloggers/at-home workers are happy, gives me hope that someday soon I can make a life for myself and my guy with my photography!
    Thanks Elise,
    Kate

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