Tumble Dry on Low Heat

Maybe it's just the coffee from this morning getting me all excited yet not quite anxious, but I feel like a little kid right now. Both boys are sleeping, the house is quiet. I should be sewing!! Or packing! Or cleaning! Or doing laundry! But I feel kind of free right now. And I'm pretty sure that one cup of coffee (and the rest of the chocolate...) is making me all giddy and excited.

 I quit coffee about a year ago because I was drinking way too much (and by way too much--don't laugh--I meant several cups a day) and it makes my blood sugar go crazy and gives me anxiety and heart palpitations. I thought that after avoiding it for this long I wouldn't even like it. Yet, every time I smell it, I crave it.

For the first few days in our new house, Jeff was riding his bike to the gas station (2 blocks away) and buying coffee so I figured I would be saving us money to just buy the good stuff and make it ourselves. Except, I had to try it. And now I'm having a hard time sticking to just 1 cup a day. Yum. And now I remember why I love it so much. Maybe it's just a mental game but sipping on coffee makes me feel like I can conquer anything. Or at least clean the house or implement a really cool design idea. Perhaps that explains my crazed need to paint, paint, PAINT! (No painting has occurred yet.)

Anyways, my sister Kaitlin stopped by yesterday with her boyfriend, Aaron. She said she was glad she was able to see the house before I did anything to it. Most of my sisters have told me they can't wait to see what I do with the place. Oh my goodness, as if I wasn't impatient enough, now I have the added pressure of all of them waiting to see what I do. Luckily, Jeff is basically letting me have free range and do what I want. He said he'll stop me if it gets too crazy.

Darn coffee. If I didn't have summer vacation plans coming up I could rip out the carpeting on the stairs.

Snapshots from the Week

 Moving in!

First full day in our house, Jeff fixes the washer. Yes, we still have paneling in the new place but it sure beats the dark, faux wood in our apartment living room. (This is the only paneling in the house.)

Isaac is learning to reach.

Alfalfa in the booster seat.

Eating chocolate chip black bean brownies on the deck. No, those chairs are not on my list of projects. Aren't they pretty? Just kidding but they are broken beyond repair so they will be replaced as soon as I find something suitable.

Football jammies!!

And the best for last; I need to hang this mirror but in the meantime, I propped it up against a chair and this little dude has been playing and talking to himself.

Oh and by the way, I'm halfway to 48 today. And Facebook is awesome.

Mowing his Own Lawn

Babies are magic. I just had a few paragraphs typed out and with one click of a button, Isaac deleted it all and then just like that, blogger auto-saved the blank page. Does anyone ever feel like typing again after that happens??

I'll try my best.

Here is the picture I had posted to go with the title:

The gist of the post was that after over 4 years of apartment living (both here and downstate) I am so thankful to have a house. And I'm so glad that Pinterest is around now so that I can really make our house look like, well, ours. And without putting us further into the debt that we are paying off.

I have so many plans for this house. Most of the immediate plans involve lots and lots of paint. Mom isn't so sure about the chartreuse entry way I have in mind. ;)

Interrupted to add: Why is it so funny that Adrian is walking around with his bee (butterfly) net on his head even when he is supposed to be taking a nap?? (Jeff is planning to raise bees starting next year for anyone not fortunate enough to have had a conversation with him recently.)

Adrian's room will be grey and the kitchen cabinets (now a very dark stain) will be teal. That's all that I know for sure right now, but I'll be sure to post pictures if I change so much as a piece of trim. If you look at my Home Sweet House board on Pinterest, you'll see exactly what my house will look like by next week.

I'm super impatient to get started but we do actually have a trip to the camp coming up and the whole trying-to-enjoy-summer-while-it's-here thing. Which is awesome by the way; the previous owners left a patio table (which will be getting some spray-paint treatment eventually) so we have been eating breakfast, lunch, and supper out on the deck with half the town as an audience.

Speaking of enjoying summer, Adrian is NOT taking any sort of rest whatsoever so we are heading to the outdoors. Peace out.

Lighter than Air

 Whew! We have been crazy busy lately, just like I said we would be. I don't think I even realized the amount of time to relax that we would not have. We successfully moved into our house on the hottest day of the summer. Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but we don't see the 90's too terribly often in the U.P. We spent all of last week packing up our hot, hot apartment and with the help of few strong men, we were able to get everything moved after we closed on Thursday evening. I was so giddy that day, I can't believe we waited this long to get a house!

The previous owners were at the closing and they were telling us about the changes made to the house over the years (the women who owned it had lived here for 40-something years). It was so fun to find out why the bathroom is so big (it was once a small bedroom) and why the entry way is such a funny shape (part of it was once a bathroom). I wish I had remembered to ask what kind of floors are under the dining room carpet (we're using it as a living room, but you can tell there is another floor underneath). We also had a nice little surprise when they told us they left an a/c unit in the garage, I had assumed that we wouldn't be getting a/c for a few weeks if we had it at all this summer. Boy am I glad they left it! It has been in the 80's and 90's the last few days while we've been unpacking.

We still have a few boxes here and there, waiting to be unpacked, but for the most part, we are moved in. Let me tell you, moving with a 2-year-old and a baby is a total joke. I was ready to rip my hair out while we were packing (in our 85 degree apartment). If Adrian wasn't unpacking then Isaac was needing attention. And now, I feel like we're getting close to having everything in its place, but I keep getting interrupted by a 2-year-old that quickly discovered the joy of having a deck. And a yard! And space to ride his cars! Luckily, Jeff is switching schedules so he just happened to have 6 days off starting on the day we closed. By the time he goes back to work tomorrow, I'll be able to enjoy that yard as well.

Anyways, back to Thursday. What a crazy, wonderful day! Here is the best part as told by Jeff:

"Thursday, at 3:30, Heidi and I closed on our first house with our RE/MAX agent, Gina. After going to check out our newly purchased home we went back to our apartment to get cleaning supplies. I knew it was going to be a long night so I wanted some fresh-brewed Holiday gas station coffee; as I was there, I noticed a group of people standing outside and a Suburban with a wicker hot air balloon basket hanging off the back. Since I'm a Howell native (home of the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest) I asked them if they had ever flown at the balloonfest in Howell. They replied by saying, "Yes, we actually live in Howell," and they were actually in the U.P. vacationing and giving balloon rides. I told them that my wife and I grew up in Howell. They then invited us to launch a balloon at the football field across the highway. After going back to the apartment I told Heidi about our invitation. After getting to the balloon launch site and meeting the other people who were helping launch the balloon, I found out that several of them RE/MAX agents and the balloon was a RE/MAX balloon, the same company that helped me find my first home!"

It was quite the experience. Most definitely worth delaying house-cleaning! I was holding Isaac in the front pack so I missed out on the helping part, but I was able to get quite a few pictures. We just can't get over the crazy coincidence. Plus, Jeff said that helping launch a balloon was sort of on his bucket list so that's pretty sweet that he was able to fulfill that.

Funny that I never thought about how hot it would be standing next to one of these giants as it's filling up (they use a fan at first and once it's opened up enough they switch to the burner). Jeff said at certain times it felt like the ropes were going to melt.

 There was a boy with special needs at the launch and I had thought he was family member to one of the crew and that was the reason he was there. He was asking questions about everyone there and seemed kind of nervous but since I had just met him, I wasn't sure if that was his usual manner. As it happens, the balloon ride was for him! He went up with the pilot and his dad who was a RE/MAX agent. Just as they were about to lift off, they had to coax him into the basket. He was afraid the flames would burn him.

After they floated off I was honestly torn between cleaning our house or chasing the balloon. We ended up cleaning the house, but what a day!

Yesterday

Story to follow!

I Love the U.P.

I've been absent lately and I probably will be for a while yet. We spent a week and a half downstate with both of our families in crazy hot weather.  I think my lens was fogged up a little in this picture, it was so blasted humid. It was a fun time but it definitely made me appreciate the U.P. summers! I was so glad to step out of the car to a cool 64 degrees on Sunday evening.

This week, we're packing up and we should be sleeping in our new house by the weekend!!  Anyways, obviously super busy with kiddos to take care of in the meantime. I'm so thankful that my friend Kate offered to take Adrian tomorrow. While he's out having fun Isaac and I will be inside sweating and hopefully getting tons of shtuff packed away.

Until next time.

Drawing with Chalk

It is going to get busy around here.
Remember when I said we are getting a house? As of now, the dude at the bank says we could have a closing date in early July. Also as of now, we are going downstate for a vacation in early July. That means I have notverymuchtime to get us packed for vacation and packed for a move. Since we don't actually have a closing date yet I don't feel like I actually need to get things packed up. We certainly aren't acting like it either. Jeff is taking Adrian fishing tonight with my cousin, Tom, and today the boys and I did this:

Chalk disappears fast when you're making roads. And the grocery store, and the beach, and of course, Border Grill. :) I'm sure we'll be doing more of this at our house on the cement sidewalk that leads to the garage. Our House. Aaah! Super exciting!

St. John's Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend in the Keweenaw for our church's annual St. John's Services--judging by my stats over the weekend, that's where most of you were too. I think this was the shortest St. John's weekend ever for us. Jeff was scheduled to work this weekend but was able to get Saturday and Sunday off so we went up Friday night after work and came home after evening church on Sunday. I was supposed to drive home but Jeff said he probably wouldn't be able to sleep anyways so by the time we were halfway home I was asking him random questions to keep him awake. I think I nodded off during all of his answers. Good thing I didn't drive. We were home around midnight and he was up before 5 Monday morning.

 I was hoping to make it to the Bridgefest parade for Adrian's sake but we arrived just as we should have been finding a viewing spot so it didn't work out. I hadn't told him about it so he didn't know the difference. It was so awesome to have cousins for him to play with for a couple days. He's been really trying my patience at home lately so that was a nice break! Not that he and Kendall played perfectly all weekend or anything.

We lucked out and were able to stay at my grandma and grandpa's, they usually have a houseful for the weekend. My aunt and uncle live right down the road and Jeff has been itching to get over there to check out my uncle's bees. (He wants to raise bees next year.) I hear that he has an observation hive inside his house but I have yet to see it for myself. Jeff and Grandpa went to see the bees and I stayed back to visit with Grandma. I've realized lately that they won't be here forever so I really need to take advantage of our time with them.

I didn't take nearly enough pictures (as usual) but I did manage to snag these before we left their house on Sunday afternoon. (Grandpa was at the meeting and by the time he came back we were packed up and saying our "good-bye's.")

Poor Adrian had a few noseeum bites behind his right ear so it was all swollen. I think it finally looks normal again.

Isaac taught me a lesson during morning church. I'm so unprepared for a mess since we haven't had a blow-out away from home. Until Sunday that is. And while wearing the brand-new sweater handmade by my mom. Of course. (Don't worry, it all washed out and it's looking good as new.) Anyways, Katie saved the day. (Thanks again! I still have your clothes, I'll plan on mailing them to you as soon as I get the chance.) I swear, I spent more time in the cry room/nursery than in the pew, I should have just planned to sit there. I'm blaming it on the fact that I cheated on my usual diet (wheat-free, dairy-free) so he was a little fussier than usual. Either that or he was over-stimulated which may have been the case considering he slept most of the day on Monday.

Now we're back home, Adrian is still asking to go to Kendall's and Mumuu and Vaari's (my grandparent's) house. Jeff is back to work and I'm enjoying the gloomy days we've been having since it lets me get stuff done around here. According to the bank, we could be moving in 3-4 weeks and one of those weeks will be spent downstate. Since it's still too early to pack our things, I'm listing everything else on Craigslist. I just lost my sewing desk yesterday. So glad to have that heavy thing gone since I didn't like the style anyways but now I have nowhere to sew and I just got a small sewing project from a friend that needs to be done in the next few days. Ah, well at we won't have to move the desk.

One Year

I neglected to blog Thursday about the fact that we moved one year ago. Close your mouth, I know, I couldn't believe it either. In a way, it feels like we moved last month. This year positively flew by! On the other hand, it's almost as though we've lived here forever. We were welcomed into the small congregation here so quickly and openly. I honestly don't think I could be as happy as I am today if we didn't have a church here, I just don't know what I would do.


We moved here after Jeff graduated from "airplane school" so he could start his job as a mechanic at the airport. He had opportunities to work in Idaho or Texas but we chose here. We get free flights through American and American Eagle airlines, anywhere they fly. I remember dreaming about all the trips we could take and even the "we'll just fly to Maine for a lobster dinner and come back" trips we would take. Guess how many times we've flown in this past year? Once. That's right. Just once. We went to visit Jeff's aunt and uncle in Texas. Now, I have to go off topic for a minute (oh wait, that's nothing new). I had NEVER met his aunt and uncle before going on that trip. Talk about stepping outside my comfort zone! The trip went really well, his aunt is EXACTLY like his mom and his uncle is incredibly inquisitive so there was never a silent, awkward moment. I'm really glad we went and we're still trying to figure out when we'll be able to go again. Anyways, back to flight benefits. As good as that sounds, American has no direct flights downstate so it's actually a lot easier to drive when we visit our families. Bummer dude.


Jeff graduated at the end of October (if I remember correctly, and I usually don't) and was scheduled to start training on the 17th of November. I think we both worked up until the 7th so we would have a full week to finish packing, get everything up north, and settle in somewhat. We moved on the 12th because my sister Jeanie's birthday is on the 11th and she wanted us to be there. We left that Wednesday morning with our cars loaded down and nothing but the raaaadiooo. Actually, I had CD's, Jeff was gracious enough to let me drive the car with the CD player...the only car we have these days. I think it snowed that day. And stayed until May, and that's no lie. I don't know if I mentioned it before but, we had never seen our apartment before we moved in that day. Jeff went up north one weekend in October and I told him not to come back until we had a place to live. He came back. I wish I had a picture of the outside of the building so you would understand why my brother Danny thought it was haunted. We think it was an old school. There are a lot of apartments like that up here; my sister's apartment used to be a gas station. I can't remember the actual number of stairs to get to our apartment but I can tell you this, there were quite a few! It was the classic looking schoolhouse building with the stairs in front and then we were on the second floor and there were two floors to our apartment. It was a pretty neat setup, the biggest downfall was that it was the only unit that hadn't been renovated. We had faux wood paneling with nail holes all over the place, and a previous tenant's decorations. Let me put it this way, when I asked our landlord about nail/screw holes in the wall, he didn't respond with words, he laughed. Besides the paneling, there were three different styles of carpet in orange (shag), beige (berber), and green (that flat looped style). The bathroom had yellow toilet/sink/shower and SPONGE-PAINTED walls. In a really ugly sea green I might add. Not to mention two different styles of linoleum. On our first morning there, I was making eggs and the second the aroma started wafting through the air, a mouse came out from UNDER THE CABINETS. We bought mouse traps that very same day and caught it that night. I never saw a sign of mice again after that, although I thought for the longest time that we had one living in the gas furnace (we used the electric heat) until I realized it was the birds landing on the vent outside. It was an interesting place to say the least but I'm glad we were only there for three months. I got pregnant and what had already been cold was now freezing. It was very poorly insulated. The heat bill was the reason we moved, our heat is included in rent now!


(Don't mind the drool, it was coming out faster than I could wipe it off!)

I feel like this move was the beginning of a whole slew of changes in our lives. I have never been one to approach a group of people I don't know or try to meet new people. I wished that I was, I just never did anything about it. That has certainly changed! Neither of us knew anyone in this area before moving here. The first time we stayed overnight was when we were looking for a place to live (and we spent one of those nights in the car). Actually, I take that back, we both knew a few people that were going to school here and a family that used to live downstate. As far as married couples go, we didn't know anyone. Wait, I take that back again, my cousin lives here. The point is, we felt like we were moving to an area of complete strangers compared to how many people we know downstate. The thing is, I don't think we went to this church for the entire first month we were living here. We may have gone that first weekend but then we went downstate for Thanksgiving and up north after that. After what felt like forever, but was actually really quick, I finally met some of the married girls in the area. Before moving, someone had given me the number of one of the ladies up here who had wanted me to call when we moved. She ended up calling me in the beginning of December to go to a craft show. It was the most awkward thing (for the first three minutes) when I walked in by myself (I can't remember why I didn't ride with them) and tried to find a group of people that I had NEVER SEEN BEFORE! We managed to find each other somehow and I've been meeting up with them ever since.

Another thing that has changed a lot over the past year is my mode of transportation. I have always been the one to drive EVERYWHERE no matter how far or near. Now, if it's within a mile, I walk. Of course, the biggest reason for that is the fact that we are a one vehicle household, so oftentimes, I don't have a choice. However, I've noticed lately that even when Jeff is home, I'll still walk if I can. I never thought I'd see the day. It works out pretty well though; three of my friends live in the same town. I've walked a few times with one of them...and I really need to call her more often to go for walks.

Coincidentally, I've also become more interested in healthy eating. And I don't necessarily mean no sweets. I'm talking about organic and natural foods. It wasn't that long ago when I'd be the one saying "oh well, you're going to die somehow, you might as well eat it and enjoy it." Not anymore! I've started learning about food, the good and the bad, and it's been an eye-opening experience. While we can't afford to eat completely organic, we're taking baby steps to get there. For one, I don't buy any processed foods. Or none that I can think of at the moment. I make as much as I can from scratch, right down to bread and rolls. It's a lot of work but I love to cook and bake so it's been fun, and I'm learning all sorts of things along the way! Who would have thought of making crackers or pretzels? Yum! The thing is, homemade goods taste ten times better than the store-bought stuff. The fact that it's way better for you is an added bonus.

About a month after we moved I borrowed Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover from the local library. (Which was a Carnegie by the way, but nowhere near as nice as the one in my hometown.) We are now, slowly but surely, on our way to getting out of debt. It feels great knowing that, although this is taking longer than I would have liked, we are not accumulating any more debt in the process. As much as I would love a house right now, I am perfectly content to live in this apartment and pay rent for as long as we need to to get closer to our goal. I'm sure we'll have a mortgage when we get a house, although I would LOVE to be able to pay cash for our own home, I just don't think that is possible for us considering we don't know what the future holds.


And imagine that, we now have a three-month-old! This has been quite a year! It's not slowing down anytime soon either. My sisters and my mom and I just started a shop on Etsy. So come check out Circle Boutique! My sister Sara is the only one who is on the ball and listed her (baby) items so far. Emily and Amanda are doing a craft show today as is my mom. I am hoping to have some ornaments listed on Etsy by the end of the weekend. After all, Christmas is just around the corner!

And now...

I am frustrated!

I have that picture of my belly that I promised but...now I can't find a usb cord to put in on my computer! I'm searching but truth be told, I don't think we even have one here. We probably put them all in Jeff's desk.

The desk that we didn't take.

The one that's sitting at my in-laws.

The ones that live 500 miles away.

Great.

We moved!

We are officially moved into our new apartment! Did I even mention that we found one? It's been a while, I know. We've been so busy with packing and moving and then I got the flu thrown in there as well! We are loving our new apartment. It is warm!!

Jeff's parents are up here right now and we are thoroughly enjoying their company! I should have said I am enjoying it, poor Jeff had to work mandatory overtime all weekend. He didn't find that out until they were up here. I guess we shouldn't complain too much, at a time when thousands of people are getting laid off, Jeff has to work mandatory overtime! I am so thankful that his job is going so well right now.

The baby is doing good! I was a little worried after that flu but we had an appointment about a week afterwards and we were able to hear the heartbeat again which was very reassuring. And my belly is starting to grow!

We still don't have internet, but don't worry, it's coming! We just need to call Charter to hook it up and we'll be good to go!

Blogs, rent, and Oh yeah, Guess what?

For some reason I still can't look at Amanda's blog on the library computers...it still has "adult filter has blocked site" makes me wonder...actually it makes me frustrated. That is the one blog that I can't get to.

We are off to look at apartments and houses for rent today. Wish us luck!

Oh my, I almost forget. That I hadn't said anything on here. I went to the hospital for an exam the other day. And I have to go again in a few weeks to use some machine called an ultrasound. Whatever that is. ;) So I'll have to tell you then when this baby of ours is to arrive! Haha, I am grinning. I can tell you that it will be somewhere around the end of August.

Sorry 'bout that

Whew! I hadn't expected my posts to be this far between, but so be it.
Christmas was wonderful (I know it probably feels like an eternity ago by now). We were able to go downstate despite losing a car. It was the usual hectic Christmas Eve running from one party to the next but I'm so glad we didn't have to miss out! It was so nice to see everyone from both sides of the family. I was actually supposed to go/come down next weekend again to see Eric and Shannon and their twins. And Evan of course! But, I don't think I'll have a ride and I have a hard time trusting just anyone if the roads happen to be bad. Jeff and I will probably go down in early February so we can see Brad and Larissa's baby at the same time. I figure that otherwise I'll just want to come down again and that starts getting expensive ya know?
We got out first heat bill when we returned after Christmas, what a nice surprise. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but our apartment isn't insulated very well so it is very cold. Our landlord actually came right out and said, just the other day, "that's why I'm not charging you very much rent" in regards to our heat bill. Well gee, thanks. Needless to say, we will be looking for a new place to live in the very near future because we're actually paying more for our apartment here (including heat) than we did downstate and that place was MUCH nicer! It's kind of brutal that we'll have to pack up and move again, it feels like we just got done with that, but I know it will save us money in the long run so we may as well get started looking!

Another quick one

I have so much to say, I am SO missing the Internet.
I found the library. (It's a Carnegie! I was pretty excited about that.)
Jeff's on his way home from work so I really don't have time to say much.
I'll just type a few blurbs...
I thought the mice were gone but I SWEAR I heard one/some in that fan tower thing, whatever it is.
I'm starting to decorate, it's not even cleaned.
Jeff and I MIGHT be buying a computer tomorrow. I would ask for recommendations but then we'll probably just get a cheap one for now to use for general Internet usage.
I've been to Wal-Mart every day this week. I don't even like that store.
I need a haircut really bad (so does Jeff) but I have no idea where to go.
My address is officially changed, if you need it for any reason just email me!
I've got to go check out two items now so they know that I can be trusted once I bring them back. Then I can get as much as I want. (Have you ever heard of such a thing?)
I'll probably be back tomorrow with some more complete thoughts!

Oh and by the way: If we get a new computer I'll be able to post pictures again! Yay!!

We Made It

Our trip up went smoothly, no problems to report. Our new home however is another story...
It's kind of cool, unique ya know. But...
It's really really dirty.
There is orange shag carpet that's about a billion years old, and smells about a billions years old, in the bedrooms.
There are three flights of stairs to get to our second floor apartment and then another to get to our bedroom.
And we have mice.
But I guess, all in all, it's the typical U.P. apartment. Plus mice.
We think it was an old school house.
I wish I could show you some pictures but I forgot to take a bunch. I'm at Matt and Emily's right now so I could have actually showed you.
We don't have internet yet so I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next. I just wanted to give you a quick update!

Any advice on the mice?

The Big Day

Well this is it, we're off! We're leaving around 8:30 tomorrow morning, wish us luck! Wish I had pictures but I'm sure you know the story by now...it's very frustrating.
Time to cry...
But I WILL be okay. I do know this. I'm still laughing as well!
We'll see you all...um...well, either January or whenever all y'all stop by!

5 more days

As this move approaches my emotions only get more out of wack. As I have said before, I embrace change. I am so thrilled to begin our lives in Marquette. To meet some new friends. To get back into some hobbies: sewing, scrapbooking, decorating, knitting, photography...I am also eager to know if any of the many people who have mentioned moving to Marquette one day will actually do it. Some very good friends of ours have been discussing it for the past year. I would love to have another familiar couple up there! And just last night, two of my single friends mentioned it. Somewhere along the lines of "Why not? What the heck is tying us down here?" So who knows what will happen, what's talk and what's for real. It would be sweet...

On the other hand I am nervous, anxious, and scared. The floodgates let loose every once in a while and my heart aches for the family and friends that won't be twenty minutes away. Oh geez, here they go again. *Sniff* Maybe one day Marquette will have a direct flight to Detroit so they will only be an hour or two away. All I have to say is that I am so thankful that I have my faith to fall back on and I can always pray for strength when I need it most.

Okay, did I mention that I'm at work and I am trying my darndest not to cry for fear that their dad might walk out into the kitchen at any moment?

Speaking of which, today is my last day of work. I am officially unemployed after 7:30 tonight.

Back to this impending move. I am also really excited to be two hours from Emily and Amanda. And a mere nine hours from Jennifer and Sara. PLUS, our home (so long as we have room) will always be open for those traveling to and from the Keweenaw, either to visit or stay for a night. We hope to be able to visit out-of-towners very often!

The Countdown is ON!!

Our official move date is Wednesday, November 12, 2008. That is only 9 days away.
NINE!
Did you get that?
I had planned on packing after work today but I got home after 8 so I decided I'd put it off another day. Probably not that smart. These week is a little crazy too. I work my normal shift tomorrow but then Wednesday I go in late and work late, Thursday I get out early, and Friday is a 7am to 8pm. And somewhere in there I'd like to see both of our families, hang out with some friends and of course...pack.

Go McCain! Yeah, that was a little out of the blue but tomorrow in Election Day, don't forget!

Happy Halloween!

I hear it's supposed to be in the 60's for trick-or-treating around these parts. That's a lot better than the 30's that we've been having! So have fun all you little (or big) trick-or-treating monsters! I'm not sure what we'll be doing on Halloween. For the past couple of years, we dressed up and passed out candy at Jeff's Mom and Dad's.

Speaking of Jeff, I can't wait to see him! He went up to Marquette yesterday but he should be coming home today. I told him he can't come home until we have somewhere to live. He called me earlier today and it sounds like he found a decent aparartment.

I had such a hard time falling asleep last night without him there. This was the first night I've been away from him since we got married. Of course every noise sounded like a cannon going off. We have electric heat and it kept popping, not the usually ticking, I heard that too. I was certain I would wake up in a blazing fire. And then the scratching...I actually went outside to look for animals outside my window but I couldn't see through the bushes and I wasn't about to go IN them. I ended up talking to Jeff on the phone until I fell asleep. Literally. I woke up wondering why in the world he was calling me back. Turns out he had already called about six times not knowing that I had fallen asleep.

Happy Halloween to everyone! (In case I don't post before then.)

Three more weeks

I had the day off work today.
So I've been busy cleaning and now I'm getting ready to pack a few more boxes. They're really piling up now. I was listening to a CD (those round shiny discs, remember?) from graduation that Annette K. had made for everyone. There are some good oldies on there...about leaving, moving, growing up basically. WELL. I had to turn it off before I started bawling my eyes out! I have told myself and told myself that I will not cry until it's time to go. There's just no use crying now! If I start, I might not stop! Don't get me wrong, I'm still really excited about moving. I'm one to embrace change so, this is a challenge I'm ready to tackle.
Sounds like I need to go burn some more Cd's!

Oh and BTW Megan: We're moving on or after November 10, which is a Monday
That's less than three weeks people!