{Catch Up}

 Jumbled thoughts in no particular order:
1. I'm cold. I really do alright with winter. considerably more so than with the summer heat, ESPECIALLY better than the summer we spent in Suzhou. I don't know, something about this lingering cold weather has just seemed to affect my mood, my behavior and my motivation to get up and do. There have been a couple of spectacularly mild days sprinkled in and I have taken full advantage of the vitamin D and serotonin boosts that the sun has to offer.  Maybe that's it, I'm just not getting enough sun.

2. Jeff's gone... a lot. Every time I get a twinge of frustration about it I remind myself that it was MY brilliant idea to encourage him to take up this job, and that it is benefiting us. I do get to keep regular contact with him, and I'm doing fine, but it has been a decided adjustment. After two years of nearly constant companionship with the same person, I'm almost having to re-learn what it's like to be independent again. Not to say that I was too co-dependent - but there is definitely a change to how you live and behave when you're in a partnership as opposed to living wholly on your own 3 1/2 weeks out of the month.

3. Cooper has a case of the clingy. Even the trainer that we work with made a comment the other day that she found it remarkable the bond he's been forming with me as the weeks progress. He's very particular, although friendly with everyone. He really does have a hard time listening to others, and if someone gives him instruction, he always looks to me for approval first. It's made training both easier, and much more difficult all at the same time. He is generally eager to please, but some aspects of training, like staying as I walk away to a good distance, is a continuing struggle and forces him out of his comfort zone.

4. SO.MUCH.MOVING. At the end of February as Jeff left to start his job, I moved back into my parents home and out of our town house, and moved all of our things into a storage unit. My dad bought a farm in Monticello, and was supposed to move out a month ago , but due to an oversight didn't move until this weekend. Poor Jeff was home for three days and each of those days was spent helping load, unload, load some more and unload, and set up right up until he had to leave again. He's a good sport. We managed to get the majority of Dad's belongings to the farm, as well as get everything of ours out of storage and into the house. It was a long, tiring weekend for everyone and left us all more tired than when it began. Over the next couple of weeks I'll finish purging, unpacking, arranging, and returning the house to a state of normalcy.

5. WE got a new bed. I'm positive this isn't half as interesting to anyone else as it is to me, but I'm elated. After spending a year as two fat people in China, Jeff and I have developed a deep respect for well made mattresses. They certainly weren't built in China to handle our size... and with Jeff's dilapidated back, it was a long year of mediocre to restless sleep. It has been a markable difference to have a solid, supportive, and comfortable bed that makes for substantial and restful nights sleep.

- Ashley

{Changes}

Changes have been a common theme in our lives. I suppose it's one of those things that connects people together.

Jeff took a job this week. The events leading up to it are complicated, and honestly going into detail right now would lead to saying some particularly unkind things toward another, and I don't believe putting those kind of things in writing out of anger... so, suffice it to say, it's a long story.

This job is out of state, and involves three weeks of "training"... unpaid... so to speak. He'll get a signing bonus after, which is great, but in the mean time, we just aren't going to be able to make ends meet. So, this weekend was spent packing up our apartment so that I can move things into a storage unit for the next month or so, until we're settled into where we were already planning on moving (another story for another time).

It's another bittersweet move. Jeff will be gone for three to six weeks, I'll have to handle a lot of things on my own, and not to get overly mushy, I'm going to miss the big guy. But, he'll have a steady job, making decent money, and we'll be able to continue to save up for future plans.

If a new job, packing and moving weren't enough, Jeff also had one more surprise up his sleeve. Part anniversary gift, part companion in his absense, part "I'm tired of saying no", lead him to show up at my office with an adorable striped, spotted and very sweet gift.

 Introducing: Cooper.
Super affectionate, energetic, but a fantastic couch buddy. Prefers balls above all other forms of entertainment. Conquered "Sit" in ten minutes. Has a stubborn streak, but generally is eager to please. Loves to lean, suck up any and all affection offered, rarely barks but audibly grumbles when he isn't acknowledged. Beautiful amber eyes, the brindled body of a boston terrier, mottled with the spots and head of a blue heeler. All in all, one adorable and fantastic almost full grown pup.  I'm smitten.

 

 

 



-Ashley

{The Brightside}

*Today's post is brought to you by the colors yellow and grey. *

Of all the things we have to do as grown-up individuals, my very least favorite are moving, packing, resumes, applications, and interviews. I've done all of them far too many times since college, and I'm very content with the idea of settling down for a while. None of these things are what I'm looking forward to coming back to in our transition back to Kentucky.

Want to know what I am excited about? (Aside from family, friends, and a whole list of state-side luxuries)
Apartment/House browsing. Not the actually fill out applications and pay deposits. Just the search. There's something about the search for places to live that opens up your imagination to possibilities and the idealism of what you want your dream home to be like. Yes, I'm clicking through the housing strictly in my budget range... but let's be honest, I'm also clicking on those sneaky ones that just a few... hundred... thousand...or so out of it. I can't help it.

Who WOULDN'T want a grey shingled house with yellow shudders and sun-room? Complete with big well established trees and lush yard I would die and go to heaven living in this simple but perfect house.

Ooooooh and vaulted ceilings, and rustic floors with rugs and flooding natural light. Yes please!

I have seen the barn door implemented in a couple of designs and I can't really explain why I like it so much, aside from the fact that I do. I guess it blends the loft style concept that I fell in love with as a kid watching "Ghost", and the shabby-chic romanticism that I naturally flock towards.

I'm suck a sucker for a claw foot tub, and one situated in a bathroom flooded with light and dark floors has my name all over it. This is where you would find me 90% of the time if it were my house.

Ahhhh to dream.

This is Jeff's "contribution" to the search*:

Hmmmm.

-Ashley

* I -think- he's joking.
Sources:
1/2/3/4

Jeff's find ( WELL worth the read and other pictures):
Not quite the dream home I was hoping for...

Felicitous Retreat

As I promised before, pictures of progress of the personalization of my "cozy" little nook of an apartment. A little before and after action perhaps?

Dining area:

Hallway:

 

  

Kitchen

  

Living Room

  

 (Bedroom is still has a ways to go)

There is still A LOT of things I want to do, but bit by bit it's slowly coming along. :)

Home Sweet Home

This week was atrocious at work, and I'm just grateful it's the weekend!. Last weekend I had to be out of my old apartment and into my new one blizzard or no! It was a bundle of stress and everyone involved is glad it is done and over. My new place is... a step back I guess you could say from where I was. It's a lot more money to live on your own, that's for sure! That aside, I'm loving the independence, coming home to more furry and agreeable roommates than before, and having a space totally my own to run, decorate, and use as I choose. This morning the women in my family came together to help overhaul and clean the place ceiling to floor because the previous tenant left it less than clean...to say the very least. It's now a sanitary and much more comfortable place to dwell in. Over the next week or so I plan on turning attention to homier touches, artwork, and arranging. Pictures to follow !

Every Day is an Adventure

I've had a pretty good start to my adult life so far. I've had bountiful support from friends and family every step of the way both emotionally and financially, and have been blessed in spite of myself. I have the amazing opportunity to obtain a job in a time when it has been difficult for most. I've also been blessed to be in a position of independence. Now, this has come in stages. As of next saturday, I will for the first time in my life be able to say that I am completely and totally independent financially in my life. I will be moving into an apartment all on my own, devoid of any roommates!

I've had my moments of gripe over having to share my living space with others, but I cannot deny that each individual that I've shared a dorm/apartment/house with has taught me more about myself and how to interract with other people in this world than anyone else ever could. I appreciate each and every one of them for the lessons they have taught me. I'm going to miss ( in theory) living with someone else.

Have no fear though. I will not be totally alone in my new phase of adventures. As those who know me well are well aware, I am a sucker for animals big and small. Over the past year I've picked up a few oddballs here and there and have collected what I like to call my dainty menagerie. A truly odd and potentially disasterous mix; I have two fish that have been named and renamed (they don't seem to mind) thanks to friends and roommates, two animated and attention grabbing pet rats that inhabit my quaint 3rd grade classroom( see adjoining blog), and two darling cats that will share my living space with me. I'm never with out entertainment, affection, or company with this crew. I look forward to the next phase of my life as it unfolds, and sharing it with friends, family, and the animal kingdom. Stay tuned.