That's me and Chip today: contentedly ruling the house for the day! After two days of working on the PR/Admissions photo shoot while feeling like death warmed over, I took today off to (1) get at least moderately healthy again and (2) get new Internet access installed. The Verizon Air Card just wasn't working well, so we gave the local wireless a try. So far, so good!
This day is great for my sanity. I've felt like life was just piling up around me, and I didn't have time to fully address the massive mounds at both work and home. Now, having dedicated a day to changing our address, getting the last of the stuff from the apartment and making progress on homework, I feel like my personal life might be somewhat more under control. And with the photo shoot wrapped up, I can refocus on the rest of my work tomorrow.
I love this life. In an email to my dear friend, Jenn, I wrote that God has truly provided for us and put us in His perfect place, despite our constant insistence to do things our way, not His. We are so very blessed.
"So take this broken offering and make me whole,
Set my feet upon the road that leads me home,
let me walk as one fixed upon the goal,
even though I've got a thousand miles to go..."
Set my feet upon the road that leads me home,
let me walk as one fixed upon the goal,
even though I've got a thousand miles to go..."
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
A Beautiful Day
On this lovely Saturday:
*I went to the Orientation Committee Recognition Brunch up in Mt. Pleasant. Since The Embers closed, we've struggled to find a nice venue for this, and I think it's an important event, particularly to provide some closure for the seniors. This year, though, we found a winner: Riverwood Resort, where they provided a fantastic brunch for our students.
*I swung by the Alumni Board meeting. It's usually a bit intense, but I've gotten used to the 20 minutes of grilling I get each time. As always, though, the group is supportive and enthusiastic.
*I gutted the garden along our front sidewalk and replaced the ragged hostas with bright, beautiful mums from Harrier Farms in St. Louis. They have the most beautiful plants; in fact, when I decided I needed another mum and drove to Andy T's in St. Johns, I couldn't bring myself to buy one of their less attractive (more expensive!) mums. I did, however, treat myself to half a peck of Empire apples (the best!) and a loaf of fresh sourdough bread.
*I made chicken salad - a favorite of mine, though Mitch isn't a fan - and applesauce from the overpriced, not-great-for-eating Macintosh apples from Uncle Johns. The apples smelled to good simmering on the stove, and I still have plenty for a pie tomorrow. Maybe apple-raspberry?
*I unpacked all my books, officially completing my little library in the new house. Well, it's complete except for the chair and a half that will eventually replace my bowl chair, anyway!
*As the sun set, I settled myself on the couch to wrestle with the Internet (our Verizon Air Card doesn't work so well, so I think we'll take it back and get the local wireless service) and do some homework. After this nice little break, I swear I'll finish my management chapter on evaluating environmental opportunities!
Oh, blessed weekend...
*I went to the Orientation Committee Recognition Brunch up in Mt. Pleasant. Since The Embers closed, we've struggled to find a nice venue for this, and I think it's an important event, particularly to provide some closure for the seniors. This year, though, we found a winner: Riverwood Resort, where they provided a fantastic brunch for our students.
*I swung by the Alumni Board meeting. It's usually a bit intense, but I've gotten used to the 20 minutes of grilling I get each time. As always, though, the group is supportive and enthusiastic.
*I gutted the garden along our front sidewalk and replaced the ragged hostas with bright, beautiful mums from Harrier Farms in St. Louis. They have the most beautiful plants; in fact, when I decided I needed another mum and drove to Andy T's in St. Johns, I couldn't bring myself to buy one of their less attractive (more expensive!) mums. I did, however, treat myself to half a peck of Empire apples (the best!) and a loaf of fresh sourdough bread.
*I made chicken salad - a favorite of mine, though Mitch isn't a fan - and applesauce from the overpriced, not-great-for-eating Macintosh apples from Uncle Johns. The apples smelled to good simmering on the stove, and I still have plenty for a pie tomorrow. Maybe apple-raspberry?
*I unpacked all my books, officially completing my little library in the new house. Well, it's complete except for the chair and a half that will eventually replace my bowl chair, anyway!
*As the sun set, I settled myself on the couch to wrestle with the Internet (our Verizon Air Card doesn't work so well, so I think we'll take it back and get the local wireless service) and do some homework. After this nice little break, I swear I'll finish my management chapter on evaluating environmental opportunities!
Oh, blessed weekend...
Monday, September 14, 2009
All Moved In!
That's right, folks: we successfully moved into our new home on Saturday! No furniture was dropped, no precious china shattered, no feline flattened (probably because he was at my parents' for the weekend). We are now smack-dab in the middle of unpacking, so there are unattractive cardboard boxes everywhere. However, as soon as I feel the place looks decent, I'll post some new photos!
Let me tell you, though: it's wonderful. There's so much space! Our kitchen is gloriously organized in the kitchen, not spilling over into the laundry room. The neglected bikes live in the garage, not the bathroom. We have clothes in the closet, not ski boots and ice skates and rollerblades. Glorious!
The strangest thing, though, is getting used to the idea that we're staying here. I've been regularly packing up my life and moving from place to place for almost ten years, between college and our various apartments. Every time I would unpack, the idea that I would be packing back up again crossed my mind. We didn't arrange tools on shelves; we left them in cardboard boxes. I saved packing materials. I got used to living without a sense of permanence.
And now, it's permanent. Wow.
Let me tell you, though: it's wonderful. There's so much space! Our kitchen is gloriously organized in the kitchen, not spilling over into the laundry room. The neglected bikes live in the garage, not the bathroom. We have clothes in the closet, not ski boots and ice skates and rollerblades. Glorious!
The strangest thing, though, is getting used to the idea that we're staying here. I've been regularly packing up my life and moving from place to place for almost ten years, between college and our various apartments. Every time I would unpack, the idea that I would be packing back up again crossed my mind. We didn't arrange tools on shelves; we left them in cardboard boxes. I saved packing materials. I got used to living without a sense of permanence.
And now, it's permanent. Wow.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
The Whirlwind I Call My Life
Whirlwind...that's an apt description for everything right now! First, we closed on our house last Thursday and immediately got to work. So far, we've painted everything on the main floor (the basement will be a winter project) and just have a few more touch-ups to do. I started cleaning last night and hope to finish up tomorrow while Stanley Steemer cleans the carpets. We've also installed two of the three screen/storm doors we bought. For the next two days, then, we'll be packing up our apartment in preparation for Saturday's big move. Yikes!
Second, my fifth term in grad school started this weekend. I have two management classes: Strategic Management and Global Dimensions of Management. I don't have a sense of the workload yet, but I hope I don't fall too far behind over the weekend. In addition to the move, I have Mim's bachelorette party on Saturday night, and then I have to head down to my parents' to pick up Chip since he'll be staying there while we move. But good news: this is my second-to-last term. MBA, here I come!
Third, work is insane. I just finished two all-consuming weeks with the Orientation Committee, guiding them through training and Preterm. They have become an absolutely awesome group over the past few years...completely different from their traditional image, in many ways. I'm so proud of them! When I get a spare minute, I'll try to post their spoof on the alma mater from A to Z. It was pretty hilarious! In addition to wrapping up with the OCs, I'm helping plan an extensive two-day photo shoot, I'm a member of the steering committee for the implementation of the new campus-wide administrative software program, I'm planning travel season for my new little recruitment territory (Clinton and Ingham counties), I'm doing Web and portal upgrades in preparation for next year, I'm trying to get publications finished, and I'm getting the Alumni Ambassadors rolling for the upcoming year. Phew!
Fourth, I'd like to talk about how I'm still training and spending lots of time on the bike...but truthfully, my racing season is done and I haven't had time to do more than hit the Rec a couple of times since Maybury. I even bought a sweet new helmet that I have yet to actually try out! Mitch hasn't been able to ride much, either, primiarily because his knee was healing so slowly. But he took his stitches out this weekend and went for an easy road ride, which he said felt good. I know neither of us can race Addison this weekend (bummer, because I really like the course) but I believe Mitch is still considering Pando, if he can get back in good riding condition. Otherwise, he'll simply focus on Iceman in November. Overall, I have to say this has been an awesome racing season for us. Being a part of the On 2 Wheels team was great, and I definitely improved over last year. I look forward to some good training this winter so I can be an even stronger racer next year.
OK, I have to go run some errands around campus now. Thanks for reading this insanely long update!
Second, my fifth term in grad school started this weekend. I have two management classes: Strategic Management and Global Dimensions of Management. I don't have a sense of the workload yet, but I hope I don't fall too far behind over the weekend. In addition to the move, I have Mim's bachelorette party on Saturday night, and then I have to head down to my parents' to pick up Chip since he'll be staying there while we move. But good news: this is my second-to-last term. MBA, here I come!
Third, work is insane. I just finished two all-consuming weeks with the Orientation Committee, guiding them through training and Preterm. They have become an absolutely awesome group over the past few years...completely different from their traditional image, in many ways. I'm so proud of them! When I get a spare minute, I'll try to post their spoof on the alma mater from A to Z. It was pretty hilarious! In addition to wrapping up with the OCs, I'm helping plan an extensive two-day photo shoot, I'm a member of the steering committee for the implementation of the new campus-wide administrative software program, I'm planning travel season for my new little recruitment territory (Clinton and Ingham counties), I'm doing Web and portal upgrades in preparation for next year, I'm trying to get publications finished, and I'm getting the Alumni Ambassadors rolling for the upcoming year. Phew!
Fourth, I'd like to talk about how I'm still training and spending lots of time on the bike...but truthfully, my racing season is done and I haven't had time to do more than hit the Rec a couple of times since Maybury. I even bought a sweet new helmet that I have yet to actually try out! Mitch hasn't been able to ride much, either, primiarily because his knee was healing so slowly. But he took his stitches out this weekend and went for an easy road ride, which he said felt good. I know neither of us can race Addison this weekend (bummer, because I really like the course) but I believe Mitch is still considering Pando, if he can get back in good riding condition. Otherwise, he'll simply focus on Iceman in November. Overall, I have to say this has been an awesome racing season for us. Being a part of the On 2 Wheels team was great, and I definitely improved over last year. I look forward to some good training this winter so I can be an even stronger racer next year.
OK, I have to go run some errands around campus now. Thanks for reading this insanely long update!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
A closing date!
This Thursday, at 3:30 pm, we'll close on our first house!
I'm just thrilled...it will certainly be a blessed day! Coincidentally, some of our friends are closing on their first house on Thursday, too. I sense some celebrations on the horizon!
I'm just thrilled...it will certainly be a blessed day! Coincidentally, some of our friends are closing on their first house on Thursday, too. I sense some celebrations on the horizon!
Loan approved!
Yesterday afternoon, Rural Development approved our loan application for our house! This means we can set a closing date, and I'm pushing for Thursday. The plan is to paint on Sunday and Monday, spend the rest of the week packing and cleaning, and then move in next Saturday! I'm SO EXCITED!
Last night, we bought all the paint we *think* we need. I absolutely love the colors we chose...I suppose I better, since I'll have to live with them! We also picked out screen doors for the ones that go out to the deck, and a nicer storm door for the front door. As long as we can borrow a friend's truck, we can get those and our washer/dryer set on Thursday.
It seems like we've been in the "hurry up and wait" stage for a really long time. I can't wait until there's a little more action!
Last night, we bought all the paint we *think* we need. I absolutely love the colors we chose...I suppose I better, since I'll have to live with them! We also picked out screen doors for the ones that go out to the deck, and a nicer storm door for the front door. As long as we can borrow a friend's truck, we can get those and our washer/dryer set on Thursday.
It seems like we've been in the "hurry up and wait" stage for a really long time. I can't wait until there's a little more action!
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