Day 334

You love me because...


I am your only friend that picks up dead bees, takes their picture, and then saves them just for fun. The best part is that I not only took pictures of a dead bee, but then proceeded to stage it on some flowers for the full effect. :-)


On the good news front I have accepted a job and I am really excited about it! I will be teaching 1st grade at an elementary school that is about 30 minutes away. I wasn't sure it was my first choice but I am truly happy now that I have visited the school and met with the principal again and saw my classroom. Primarily, I was happy to find out that class size is about 15-16 students, which is a really wonderfully low number for a public school. So, life is good... my salary is going up and the drive is a straight shot down one zero traffic highway. Now, to buy myself a congratulatory gift...

Day 341

Dirty feet.
New bath mat.
Some of life's greatest pleasures.
I have been helping Todd mulch around 90 trees. We've done about 50 so far but the process is tiring and filthy.
The joy is being able to clean up in a bathroom full of new towels and bath mats... my newest housewarming treats thanks to my sis.
The process has exhausted me and I am all worn out... but clean.

TILT

Things I Love Thursday: A summer food edition

Who can resist a fresh, ripe cantaloupe filled with cottage cheese?


Or homemade salsa with fresh everything from the farmers market?


Or yummy basil growing just outside their door?

I am in love with summer fresh goodness. This is my favorite eating time of the year. A time when fruit is so sweet you don't need other junkiness. I love it all.

Day 339

An exercise in taking one's own picture while at the same time riding a bike.



What a lovely day in the neighborhood. I try to do something active everyday, otherwise I get to feeling cooped up, cleaning and recleaning the bathroom or kitchen or floors. This vacation life is nice. I think what is most relaxing about it right now is that I don't have anything I have to do here, nor do I have people to see. That means that I have just me and lots of time. I hope to get out the quilting things this afternoon, but first I am off for a run and then an interview this afternoon. I do have a job offer on the table, which is nice. I am waiting for the paperwork to arrive in the mail and then we will see how today's interview goes. From there, I can make a decision. It is a huge relief to know that I have a job- now its just in the deciding...

Self Portrait Tuesday

Self Portrait as a day dreamer


I started out taking pictures of me mopping the floor, but none turned out as well as this one of me, laying on the clean floor, looking out the windows of our new place. Ah.... home.

Day 337

Well, the week-end is done. It was a rainy one here. Now we are back to the hot and sticky and Todd is back out with the weed eater. I went for a run this morning, an activity that I detest, but until I join the gym down here I have to do something. Since then it has been a series of calls and getting the mail ready to send out more resumes. I have another interview on Wednesday. Lets hope this one works out. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Last week had two highlights: the lowest moment was losing my purse. What a pain. I had to cancel the cards, etc. and just hope that the creep who took it got less than $40... I am not sure how much cash I had in it. I have to wait for my replacement license to show up too because there's business to attend to that requires it, like the DMV (the MVA here) and I wanted to get a library card.
The high highlight was a fun day at the beach with Todd. I stole him away for a day to get a rest and some sun. The gulls were so aggressive I got hit on the back of the head by one when I bought french fries. You could see dolphins swimming in the water off the shore as well, which was pretty cool.

Day 336

Welcome to our new home. This is a view of the barn from the outside. The big doors lead into the breezeway where the horses will eventually stay. It also leads to our humble apartment on the second floor. The truck is Todd's new work truck, purchased by his bosses for "the farm". The windows upstairs are in our bedroom.

This is how Todd spends his days. While I piddle around lazily he is hard at work, generally either on this tractor or with a weed whacker in hand. You can see the horse corrals in the background. Mollie tends to laze around too, but she is happy to be off leash when she can. She has a new pond to swim in on property and is lovin' it.

He does look good on a tractor, doesn't he?

This was my new, fabulous find last week-end. Mom and I went to an estate sale and found this great looking dresser set (4 pieces all together) for $300. It cleaned up deliciously and we were happy to get our stacks of clothing off the floor and into the dressers for good.

Lastly, our living room. We bought a makeshift entertainment center to hold our "new" t.v., a hand-me-down from Todd's employers. We are loving Direct t.v. and tivo in particular for the first time. Did you know that when your phone rings, the caller i.d. comes up on the screen?
That is my new favorite modern marvel... so if I don't answer, I am screening my calls.

Day 335

Sorry all. I have been lost for a while, but I am trying to come on back. Settling in has taken a toll. Then I drove home to Mass to visit with the folks. Sarah and Joe were there visiting with the kids. Of course, Willy was under the weather which meant that by the time I returned home, I was also under the weather which meant that I was out of commision for a bit... Now, I am back. Here's a few hightlights of my lovelys and I will update again soon with more fun from MD.

Self Portrait Tuesday

Self Portrait of a Mover


This photo is me, now, sunk to the floor next to a pile of boxes. I am sweaty and my hair is all over and I am at the end of the day. I can't wait to be settled in.

Day 331

We're here!

What a glorious feeling to be here and unpacking... especially glorious now that we have a bed! After a couple of nights of roughing it we are glad to be on a mattress again. Things elsewhere are also getting unpacked, although the process is somewhat inhibited by our lack of furniture. Our kitchen is almost officially complete (while we wait for the dishwasher to be installed) and everything else is livable now that we have telephone and internet!



The area here is beautiful and we have been exploring the property here with Mollie and also the surrounding town. We're excited to discover more and can't wait for y'all to visit! Todd's new employers are great and have been thoughful and gracious, helping to settle us in.
Deep sigh. Its a good feeling to feel it all coming together.


We also had a peaceful time paddling around in the kayaks last evening. There was no one else on the water, which made a for a serene scene and a relaxing paddle. The photo of Todd is in front of the "estate". More pictures soon!

Day 327

I am anxious to get back to blogging for real, but for now, due to limited internet access, I will just post a quick update.
Todd and I have been in Colorado for two weeks+ and then drove back home through Chicago. I have lots of great photos to share and will post them as soon as my life is back in some semblance of order.
For now, we are staying at my parents' and after spending our second anniversary with them today, we will head to Maryland tomorrow. Our day has been filled with final packings and lots of BBQ ribs (my favorite)... and we're talking fall off the bone good ribs. :-)
All this change and transition has been overwhelming, but I am looking forward to getting settled (as long as that takes) and to our new home. What better way to spend this hectic time than surrounded by friends and family who have supported us and even helped us pack up and move (thanks Jill and Kevin!)

I will be back soon... but I am not sure how soon we will have our internet in our new home... and I will have LOTS of great photos to share.
Love and Peace.