thoughts | kimberly ah

Aug 08 2012

thoughts

under the weather

I made it through the winter of 2011-2012 without getting sick. It was kind of a miracle, since I work in retail, but also not really surprising because I normally get eight hours of sleep and have a pretty good immune system (built up from ten years of working with children!) Last week, Naoto went to Connecticut on business and came home sick (from the germ-filled airplane, of course). I tried so hard to keep myself safe from the germs–washing my hands frequently, sleeping with my face far, far away from his germ-y snoring, not allowing him in the kitchen… But then, on Sunday night, there was a slip–I accidentally drank out of his glass. I knew.

On Monday afternoon, my throat felt scratchy and by Monday night I was feeling miserable. Most of Tuesday was spent in bed, trying to sleep it off.

Naoto is feeling terrible about bringing the germs home…not that he could help it, really. When we flew home from Japan last winter, he got mega-sick in spite of wearing a “hygiene” mask. (I didn’t wear one, and I was fine.) I have told him that the next time he flies, he shall be quarantined for at least three days to ensure the health and well-being of the rest of the family (me). I think it’s only fair…

In the meantime, I will pampering my nose with lotion tissues, taking Advil Cold & Sinus (like it’s candy!) and enjoying Elvis mugs of Japanese tea.

Tagged home

Jul 18 2012

2 Comments

thoughts, what's in a name

What’s in a Name | Part Two

As I settled on Kimberly AH as a blog title, I realized that AH also stands for “At Home”. “At Home” is fitting because most of what I intend to talk about on this blog happens in our home: remodeling, decorating, coffee drinking, letter writing, crafting, cooking, baking, cleaning, happy hours, volunteering…

I have also been feeling very “at home” in my life lately. I left my full-time job over two years ago and have often felt awkward and unsure when explaining my “lifestyle” to people. Most conversations with new people start with the question, “What do you do?” For the past couple of years I have dreaded this question. I would kind of laugh and jokingly say that I was a housewife and look to Naoto for help. Then there would be this abbreviated explanation about my old job and why I left, and how I just work part time now, oh, and I volunteer (an afterthought)… I felt like I had to justify my existence somehow. This experience was so weird for me, because not once have I regretted or even questioned my choice to leave corporate America (The biggest sign it was the right decision: the night I put in my notice, I slept through the night for the first time in six years.)…but it still was hard to explain to those who didn’t know me. But, as I fell in love with my new life, it didn’t matter what other people thought…the only validation I needed was my own joy.

I’m finally feeling at home in my life, at home in my own skin, at home with Naoto and Presley. I’m right where I need to be.

I know that picture is terribly out of focus, but it is my favorite of the three of us. You almost can’t even tell that Presley was feeling “over-loved” in the moment.

Jul 17 2012

4 Comments

thoughts, what's in a name

what’s in a name | part one

If naming a child is anything like naming a blog, I am in trouble. I am hugely indecisive and I tend to over-think things. And thoughts of “branding” and all of that nonsense started filling my head. Every title I considered seemed to represent “me” right now, but not necessarily the future me. So, I went with my first name and last initials. Simple and easy. And then, I realized that AH had a few other meanings that speak to me right now, and if I’m lucky, will continue to speak to me in the future.

So, the original meaning behind Kimberly AH–my first name and last initials: Adami Hasegawa.

Adami (pronounced Adam-eye) is my maiden name. Adami is Italian, and though my relatives came over from Northern Italy several generations ago, my mom & I never made red sauce and cannolis while I was growing up (sad, I know!) We ate Midwestern things like casseroles and jello salads and margarine. We are still Midwesterners, through and through. It really wasn’t until I met Naoto, who has a very distinct heritage, that I even considered “where I was from.”

Hasegawa (pronounced Hah-say-gaw-wa) is my married name*. Hasegawa is Japanese. Naoto IS Japanese (not Japanese American). He came to the US when he was twelve, without his parents. He is still the only one in his family who lives in America. He is fluent in both Japanese and English. This comes in handy when I need him to translate Japanese office supply websites and craft books.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the “At Home” meaning behind the blog. See you then!

*Yes, I kept BOTH names, much to the dismay of the lady at the Social Security office, who gave me some serious attitude about the length of my names…I’m pretty sure SHE isn’t going to have to write it out every day! I always planned to keep my last name, and marrying Naoto–who has such a distinctive last name–solidified that decision for me. I didn’t want to surprise people who would always assume, from seeing my name, that I was a tiny Japanese lady. And the two names flow together quite nicely, don’t you think?

Jul 03 2012

2 Comments

thoughts

guest blogging

Today, you can find me over at So Dang Brilliant. It’s my first guest posting opportunity, so I went the classy route and shared a story about arm hair. I feel really honored to be guesting with some really experienced bloggers.

Thanks to Holly for asking me.

*Presley has nothing to do with this post, except for the fact that her arms are hairier than mine!

Jun 13 2012

9 Comments

adventures, gardening, summer manifesto, thoughts

summer manifesto

This summer I will:

* eat watermelon

* dine outside (whenever possible)

* read outside every morning (aka turn off the Today Show and go outside…and reading of blogs doesn’t count!)

* find the ice cream truck at least once (We found one in Iowa last weekend and a Bomb Pop has never tasted better!)

* tend to my garden daily (no dying plants in September!)

* raise mint & basil for drinks and dinners

* try 3 “classic” cocktails (1 down with my Tom Collins last weekend!)

* learn to use my new camera (my class starts July 2nd!)

* take walks with my new camera & PRACTICE

* host a little “salad party” for our friend/neighbor Karen

* document summer & FINISH my summer minibook

* wear sunscreen & sunhats when I’m outside

* start & finish our master bathroom remodel

* finish the living room

SO excited for summer. SO excited to get some things done AND relax a little bit too. What about you? What is on your summer manifesto?

Jun 02 2012

3 Comments

thoughts

06.02.06

Happy 6th Anniversary to my charming husband, Naoto! I can’t believe how fast time is going…I can still remember so much about our wedding day: the warm sun during our walk to the reception, the smell of the fresh flowers, the gentle notes of the harp, your nervous, but beaming face at the end of the aisle, the dreadful taste of that horrid sake…

It was the perfect start to our wedded journey, but I have to say that the days since the wedding have been the best days. I love the everyday with you. I love the morning coffee runs, the Breaking News contests (I always win!), Smoothie Saturdays, tag teaming new recipes (thanks for always chopping!), dreaming up new cocktails, late-night chats & cuddles with Presley.

I’m such a lucky girl…every day.

photos by Jill Norton Photography

May 29 2012

1 Comment

thoughts

the art of relaxation

As a former workaholic (and a current lover of relaxation), it is sometimes a challenge to be married to a workaholic. My husband works two job, not because one job doesn’t pay the bills, but because he LOOOOVES both jobs and can’t imagine giving up either career. Naoto excels at both jobs and he looks forward to going to work. He has boundless energy…he works from 8-4ish, comes home and goes straight to his other job from 6-11ish. Then, he usually comes home and happily scoops out the litter box, takes out the recycling and cooks himself a snack. Sometimes, he sweeps the floor. Sometimes, he empties the dishwasher. Sometimes, he washes a dish or two. (I am terrible about leaving wine glasses next to the sink to be washed “tomorrow”.) People often wonder if he’s on drugs. Unless you count the copious amounts of coffee he drinks, no, he is not on drugs. On Saturdays–his only day off–he does sleep in…a lot. And then he gets up, runs out for coffee and sweeps the floor and takes out the garbage. On his occasional weeknight off and on Sunday evenings, Naoto almost always cooks dinner. He loves cooking–it might be his only hobby (outside his second job).

So, last month, I encouraged the workaholic to take off work from both jobs on Memorial Day. He was hesitant, but I insisted. He hasn’t really had a vacation since we went to Japan last year, and he usually works at his second job on national holidays (when he’s off from his first job). Everyone needs a little holiday every now and again. And I didn’t want us to have major plans–just let Sunday afternoon and Monday set the tone.

I think Naoto appreciated the fine art of relaxation as we sat outside drinking wine {Sidenote: If you haven’t tried Darkhorse, they make a delicious cabernet that sells at Trader Joe’s for a mere $7} and reading books and chatting about summer. I think he felt a small sigh of relief that there was no alarm, no place to go, no one to see, no pressure, no obligation. He didn’t even cook dinner.

Of course, he bounded out of bed this morning, ready to tackle a new week. That’s my workaholic.

Apr 08 2012

3 Comments

thoughts

Busy-ness Business

For the first time since I left my soul-sucking job two years ago, I am busy. Good busy. Not the crying-every-Sunday-night-because-a-miserable-week-of-work-starts-again-tomorrow kind of busy. Not the I-don’t-have-time-to-do-anything-I-want-because-my-energy-is-depleted-from-all-the-crap-I-have-to-deal-with-at-work busy. Not the overwhelmed busy, the balanced busy…the kind that allows you to keep the momentum going from project to project and allows you the free time to dream up ideas and read good books and snuggle with kitties and listen to new music and connect with thoughtful people. It’s a hard balance, this busy-ness business…