Stepford Wife: Day 3

John asked me to stay in bed with him this morning.  I had a bunch to do, and I knew that it would set me behind schedule for the whole day... but I didn't argue too much.  The first half of the day wasn't very eventful.  We got up and moving around 9am, I made breakfast (strawberry shortcake waffles, eggs, and bacon) cleaned up a little, and got caught up on most of my math homework.  John went for a run, went and got a haircut, and watched a movie with Kait while Jay was at the Raiders/Bronco game. 

Later in the afternoon, John asked me if I wanted to go for a hike.  Again, I think this was a little test to see how much he could get out of me.  He asked while I was in the middle of doing my homework, and I wasn't exactly in my jeans and Tshirt lets go hiking wardrobe.  In all fairness, I usually tell him no or that I have too much going on... because I DO... but I compromised and asked to finish the section I was working on before we left. 

When we first arrived at the trail head to Pulpit Rock we ran across an elderly couple.  They were walking hand in hand, in somewhat coordinating outfits, and simply enjoying each others company.  We stopped to chat with them for a few minutes, and I thought to myself.. wow, that's what I want to have with John in another 20 years.  Unfortunately, once we got on our way, I was again reminded of another reason WHY I find excuses to NOT go hiking with him and the kids.  Let's face it, I'm NOT 12, 14, or a big bad Green Beret.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a nice hike through the woods or up a mountain trail where I can take my time, look at the changing leaves, watch the ground for bunnies, and try to spot interesting rocks scattered along the trail.  But, hiking with John is everything I DON'T like.  I have to half jog to keep up with his long stride.  The "trails" he picks are no more than dried creek beds or animal trails.  I watch the ground at all times, but that's to make sure I don't slip on loose gravel or fall off of a cliff.  When I fall back several yards, he stops and waits for me.. but it makes me feel even worse about myself.  I know that if I weren't holding him back he would have been to the top and back three times over.  About halfway through I normally get very verbally bitchy at him.  When I consent to going for a hike with John, either the two of us or as a family, I expect.. hope for... family togetherness.  Every time I am disappointed, and I verbalize it... this time, when I realized that they were leaving me FAR behind, that there would be no hand in hand strolls through nature, when my heart was beating so fast I thought it might come out of my throat.. except that my throat was pinched so tight air wouldn't come through.. I just told him to keep going and to stop waiting for me.  It makes me feel inferior when he stands on top of the hill, breathing easy and relaxed, looking down at me while he waits for me to catch up... just so that he can repeat the process again in 5 minutes.  When we got to the top of the rock formations, I tried to get up higher, but my unnatural fear of heights kept me from scrambling up any further.  He and Kaitlyn wandered around while I sat by myself looking out past the I25 at Pikes Peak.  John and Kaitlyn ate a late lunch up there, I was too sick to my stomach to eat so I gave John my sandwich.  We hung out up there for a little while, and came home.

Now John is at the V Bar watching Jay's guitar teacher perform a 30 minute set.  I opted to stay home with Kaitlyn, wait for Jay to get home from Denver, and knock out a little more homework.  Overall, I guess today wasn't much different than any other Sunday.. aside from the John going out and me cooking breakfast.  Until tomorrow!