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July 23, 2015

I've gone back and forth about whether to share this and how much of this to share...It's going to (and actually already has) have a pretty major impact on my blogging, so I guess the time to spill the beans is now. Earlier this year, we started looking for a house. The plan was to move to a different city.

After going through about one million different properties, we decided not to sell our current house and to buy a second smaller house. A few weeks ago, we closed on that second house. We've dubbed it "The Queen's Cottage" and for the last few days we've been staying in it sans furniture because my brother and sister jumped right into a local theater.

I'm currently sitting on the floor in one of the back bedrooms leaning over the computer typing this out. I'm not even joking! We have one chair that we borrowed (from the theater so that my brother could practice one of his routines) and two kitchen chairs that we picked up at a yard sale for $10 earlier this morning. We did get some things for the kitchen and I whipped up our first actual dinner last night (a BBQ inspired pork sloppy joe dish with fresh green beans from the garden at home and some left over rice).

The idea behind this venture is pretty basic: Bigger city. More opportunities.

We'll be going back and forth and settling into a completely new routine. In the meantime, you can find me scrubbing cabinets, vacuuming vents, and enjoying walks through this new neighborhood!

If it's quiet around here or you don't hear back from me on an email or think that I've stopped reading YOUR blog...Know that I've got my own batch of first world problems and I'll be back! I just need a little time to get myself sorted out.

UPDATE: As of 3pm, we are now the proud owners of the cutest little plaid sleeper sofa that used to belong to someone's grandparents AND a couch from the neighbor who happens to be moving out of the house across the street. I guess the furniture situation is just sorting itself right out!

What's happening in your corner of the world today? 

Any tips on getting to know a new city?

Again

April 22, 2015

The last few weeks have been FULL in the best way. I have so many things to share with all of you.     I've been working in the flower beds (weed patrol), reading so many good books (The Book Thief, The Giver, The Island of Dr. Libris, and The Eyre Affair), spring cleaning, and discovering new things on tv (Life With Elizabeth and Mr. and Mrs. Murder). I got to go to my friend Heidi's house three times over the last month and her daughter spent five days at our house. CYT classes have started up again. It's spring and life is moving at exactly one million miles an hour.

My sister will be 17 a week from tomorrow! She continues to amaze me with who she is becoming. She wants sheet music, Sue Thomas on DVD, a palomino, and peace in her life. That girl reminds me so much of myself at 17. Every day is bursting at the seams with places to be and jobs to be done. She's trying to figure out where she is going in this life and how she'll get there. The uncertainties overwhelm her at times, but then she stops and realizes that it's all going to be okay. 

Meanwhile, my friend Alice turned 91 two weeks ago. I've been trying to spend more time with her because I know how much it means to her and I don't know how much longer we'll have. On my visit last week, she brought up what she called "waste basket memories". I've been going over her words in my mind and I'm looking forward to writing about them here. 

Life and blogging can be strange. Sometimes the balance is easy and comes naturally. Other times, it seems like we're forced to choose between the two. You know how it goes. Here's to not waiting 20 days before I post again! :)

What have you been up to?

What did you get for your 17th birthday?