Life After Diss

We've had some storms and rain lately and it makes me so, so happy. Stinky tends to be oblivious to rain and doesn't mind being wet. Usually thunder doesn't faze him but we've had a few really loud claps that have made even Austin and I jump that have seemed to agitate the furry one (to be clear I mean the cat, not that man). The other night, we had grilled cheese and tomato soup and lounged on the couch after dinner with Stinky snoozing between us and a cool breeze coming through the house. That is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening.

There are plenty of projects to keep me busy during the day, though, but good-busy, not dissertation-writing-busy. We met with our real estate agent and will be staging and listing the house next week. It feels like we just moved in and I love this house but sadly, it didn't come with a job attached. Fortunately, we don't need to do anything major like painting all the walls white or replacing the carpet. We mostly just need to pack all the STUFF away. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to get an offer and if we can get a reasonable price for it. Whatever the case, we are much better off than so many other homeowners so it should turn out all right.

I am also working on a presentation for a conference in Puerto Rico in July. Austin will be joining me so we can make it a sort of vacation and another couple we are friends with will be there. Austin loved his trip to the Virgin Islands so Puerto Rico really appealed to him. In addition to that conference, I'll be presenting at another in Philly in November. One of my presentations is collaborative so my team will be trying to get our work done over the summer. That will be another great conference that I'll be attending with close friends. It's wonderful to have friend-colleagues.

Austin and I are also trying to plan when we'll head to IL to look at the community where my new job is based. We have lots of details to sort out on that but when we've got our new digs lined up, my dad has enthusiastically requested to drive our moving truck north. Unlike our move to TX, this will be interesting since poor Stinky will be along for the ride.

So all in all, there is still a lot going on but my schedule is much more flexible and the projects are more enjoyable than, say, editing Chapter Two for the umpteenth time. Best of all, we will see our parents next week for graduation!