Score!

It's been awhile- I was really busy wrapping up the end of the semester and Austin was working lots and lots of hours so dishes went undone and blog posts unwritten. We'll still be rather busy coming up but I think (hope) it will be more manageable.

The Texas update- we booked a moving truck and it seems we'll be rolling out of 'sconi right on August 1. It's going to be interesting since I give my summer school finals on July 31. Luckily Austin will be able to handle the check out process and I have some great friends who are going to help me grade all the exams.

The other almost-update is that it looks like we've secured an apartment (pending the background check!). It's just northwest of downtown in an area that sort of reminds me of the Southdale area in Edina. It's also 15 minutes from campus and on a shuttle line so that will work out well. When housing is certain, I'll be spamming everyone with our new address because I absolutely love "real" paper mail and I know at Christmastime, I'll really want cards to remind me of home.

Things are coming together!

The Great Paintball War

Austin is off to his annual paint ball weekend with his buddies- I call it the Great Paint Ball War since it is serious business, of course, and sponsored by PBR I think... ;-)

I just finished giving finals so I'll have 130 exams to keep me company along with plans for dinner with friends, a baby shower, etc.

Decision?

Austin and I are super-planners and this is normally a good thing though we often end up in "analysis paralysis" as a small decision unravels into a "what if" five year plan. Lately we've been back and forth about housing options- to buy, to rent, to extended-stay lodge...? It might seem clear but it took us a long time to go through all the pros and cons and arrive at a conclusion. We do have the time to ponder right now and I think we both take comfort in knowing that we've done a thorough job in the process.

Last night we decided that we'll try to rent an apartment, preferably with a short term lease option. This allows us to get to know the city before committing to a purchase, establish our routine, and not be rushed on a big decision. The possibility of a second move shortly after the cross country haul isn't appealing but it outweighs the cost of a summer house-hunting trip, the pressure to make a quick decision, etc. Like I said, it probably seems obvious to the outside observer but we are happy to have a decision after careful consideration.

And because I am such a freak about getting real, paper mail, you can bet I'll be sending you the address as soon as we have it.

Weekend Recap

We had a good weekend with some relaxing, some socializing.

Friday- we stayed in. Austin ended a nearly 60 hour work week and I finished the last day of classes so it was a busy time for me as well. We did almost nothing other than laying around and catching up on our TiVo-recorded TV shows. It was perfect.

Saturday- we had a dinner party with another couple and my brother and sister-in-law. I made shrimp monterrey and roasted asparagus and we had a gorgeous (store bought) strawberry tart for dessert. We set up a long folding table that I borrowed from my aunt and uncle so we could all sit together but I had to venture in to the scary thrift store by our house to find a tablecloth. Apparently long cloths aren't very available, that or there was a serious run on them lately. The tablecloth served its purpose but is now in the garage sale pile :-)

Sunday- more laying around due to staying up way too late and being way too silly into those wee hours. Luckily there weren't classes this week so I was able to do so without too much guilt. Austin and I watched some episodes of Entourage and another installment of Band of Brothers.

Sick Day

On Friday, I had the faintest tickle in the back of my throat that made me wonder if I was getting sick. I kept swallowing trying to see if the tickle was just a fluke or maybe a sign of something to come. I was particularly happy that I hadn't been sick all semester; after this hard winter, my students were dropping like flies. Well, it's the last week of classes and it finally all caught up with me. Now I'm coughing, congested, and somewhat achy through my neck and shoulders.

I left work early yesterday and took a four hour nap. Today I technically don't have classes but I had meetings and lots of WORK to do since the semester is nearly over. I decided it would be best to stay home, sleep in, and rest up. The other benefit to being home is that there is sunlight streaming in the windows, something I don't get in my windowless office. No matter how sick I am, I always feel like I'm playing hooky but I'll be glad if I feel normal(ish) for the end of the semester.

I think I might try to make a recipe for Lemon Potato Soup, something I've been wanting to try and it sounds like the perfect comfort food for today.

Weekend

We're looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. Tonight we'll be watching a movie and laying low and tomorrow night I'll be hanging out with my sister-in-law while my brother hits up the fishing opener. We don't have major plans beyond doing some jewelry (window) shopping and drinking wine and sharing Topper's pizza with Austin when he emerges from the gaming world long enough to eat :-)