My Life as a Band Wife

(Photos from yesterday, from the top: UHaul — I’ve seen this before, but this time, it really is happening; Jason doing what he is best known for: working and drinking coffee; Me being psyched that this is the last night we will spend in someone elses bedroom; saying goodbye to the temporary studio)

I had considered writing this post last night, but realized that talking about class and moving in one post was a little bit senseless. Plus, I figured I’d be took tired to actually write a post after what is going to be the third most exciting day in my relationship with Jason (this day comes after getting engaged and getting married).

Now, I realize I have packed us up to get ready to move into a new house before, but this time, it’s official. I got the email today confirming our appointment to close on our first, brand new house.

!!!!

The only room that will be complete, mostly, will be the kitchen (but we all know I LOVE being in the kitchen, so, this is exciting for me). The rest of our furniture is either very old and has fallen apart, or is very cheaply made and as fallen apart. So we have a TV and a bed.

Thankfully, Target is in our backyard (you think I’m kidding or exaggerating) and time is on our side. 

I’m excited to be moving closer to my family, some of my friends and to be in a space that is all ours — for the very first time in our relationship.

But like the finale to everything wonderful in our relationship, Jay leaves for a two and a half week tour on Tuesday.

Seriously, the life of a band wife.

This morning at work, my boss, Beth, walked around the office putting vases of daffodils on everyone’s desks. She and my other boss, Meg, had scheduled a special company lunch for today, which included a special surprise.

Nearly all 30 of us gathered around the conference room table, Panera sandwiches in front of us, as Meg and Beth told us how much they appreciate how hard we have all been working. They handed us each an envelope. Each one contained a token of their gratitude and a hand-written note explaining why they appreciate us.

I can’t even begin to tell you how touched I was.

A few months ago I had written a post with my thoughts on class — it isn’t about being physically beautiful or done up, but about being a good person and treating others with respect.

We have all been extra busy at work over the last few months. While that hard work has been incredibly rewarding, it has also been difficult. Meg and Beth consistently thank us for our hard work and let us know that they understand where we are.

Taking this extra step, to let us know, even if it had simply been flowers or a special lunch, was so incredibly classy.

I know that I gush about my job on this blog quite a bit, but working for these women inspires me so much each day. They are the living proof that women really can have it all — successful marriages, careers, and great relationships with their children.

I hope each of you has something that reminds you that the sky is the limit in your lives, as well.

I was perusing Facebook this evening and found this article posted by one of my friends. It was written by Lisa Khoury for The Spectrum. Here is her argument for why it is classless for women to be tattooed:

I get it. It’s the 21st century. You’re cool, you’re rebellious, you’re cutting edge, you have a point to prove, and you’re a woman. Awesome.
Ladies, I know you’re at least at the legal age of making your own decisions, but before you decide to get a tattoo, allow me to let you in on a little secret. A secret you may have not fully realized yet thus far in your life. What you must understand is, as women, we are – naturally – beautiful creatures.
Seriously, though. Your body literally has the ability to turn heads. Guys drool over us. We hold some serious power in our hands, because – as corny as this sounds – we hold the world’s beauty.
But something girls seem to forget nowadays, or maybe have not been taught, is that women hold the world’s class and elegance in their hands, as well. So what’s more attractive than a girl with a nice body? I’ll tell you what: a girl with class. Looks may not last, but class does. And so do tattoos.
An elegant woman does not vandalize the temple she has been blessed with as her body. She appreciates it. She flaunts it. She’s not happy with it? She goes to the gym. She dresses it up in lavish, fun, trendy clothes, enjoying trips to the mall with her girlfriends. She accentuates her legs with high heels. She gets her nails done. She enjoys the finer things in life, all with the body she was blessed with.
But marking it up with ink? That’s just not necessary.
I’m not here to say a girl should walk around flaunting her body like it’s her job – that’s just degrading. Instead of getting a tattoo, a more productive use of your time would be improving and appreciating the body you have been given, not permanently engraving it.
Can you get meaning out of a tattoo? Arguably. If you want to insert ink into your skin as a symbol for something greater than yourself, then maybe you are proving a point to yourself or the rest of the world.

I just hadto try to find this girl on Twitter. I didn’t, but I didfind this awesome counterargument from Danielle Hampton on Sometimes Sweet:

First of all, I have to congratulate you on breaking down the female role so simply- we are here to make men drool! To turn heads! We hold some serious power in our hands! So thankful you let me in on this, because frankly, while typing this I was looking down at my tattooed arms feeling lost…and now I understand why I’m happily married, raising an intelligent child, hold two degrees, and live a wonderful life. Oh, wait…

I think the biggest, most glaring problem in your article is that you are saying that women should not get tattoos. Not men. And with that comes a laundry list of things that are wrong with your argument. You say that tattooed women are lacking class, yet I find it interesting that the person who is making such a broad and judgmental statement is the same woman who is calling “wearing high heels” and “getting your nails done” a productive and good use of time. Your ignorance is almost shocking to me, and I kept holding out for the “just kidding, guys! I’m really not this crazy!” all the way to the end. To put it simply, I just can’t find the logic in any of your argument.

I think it is pretty clear how I feel about tattoos. I haven’t yet addressed class. Aside from all of the feminist and and general human respect issues that Danielle clearly addresses in her blog post, I think it’s important to consider what class really is.

My opinion? Class is not about being beautiful or done up. Class is about being a good person and treating others in a respectful way. It’s about doing the right thing, even when the right thing is hard to do. Class is a characteristic, not a beauty statement.

What do you guys think? I’m sure that many of you will disagree with Lisa, but I wonder if any of you agree?