Moving is expensive

I realized this weekend that it's probably a good thing I don't have much of a social life right now, because this move has definitely cost me some mula. Anytime you move somewhere new there are things that need to be purchased and I was lucky enough to have a lot of the basics already covered, but I feel like Lowes and Target have become my second homes. I'm still working on making the place feel "homey", but as I unpack more and more boxes it gets a little closer. I think the main things that are needed right now are drapes and probably a couple of area rugs in the rooms. Hardwood floors are nice, but there's something that just doesn't seem warm and cozy about it. Especially as it gets cooler. Irie is great about sliding all over the floors, but I think she too would be a fan of having a little more rug action.

My major purchase for the weekend was a new mattress. My initial plan was to bring my futon down and use it as a bed until Ryan moved in and brought his mattress. However, my futon is not currently available (it's a long story), so I've been sleeping on my couch for the past two weeks. Now, my couch is comfy, but two weeks of sleeping on it was about to push me over the edge. My back is killing me! So I broke down yesterday and started shopping around. Tomorrow my brand-new queen size mattress will be delivered and I just can't wait! I am soooo looking forward to bed tomorrow night! While I'm happy about the purchase, geez, mattresses are expensive!

Otherwise, life in the new place is moving right along. This was my first weekend in town and it was a relatively busy one. I got in some quality family time with Carl, Kathleen and Lily during their family fall fun on Saturday (and got my laundry done - thanks guys!) And today I got to visit the entertaining atmosphere of New Town where Kathleen's parents live. They were having a cook-off that Kathleen had entered, so I went out to vote early and often. :-) New Town was setting up for the McCain rally being held there tomorrow, so it was a bit crazy. It's quite the little town though. Out in the middle of some corn fields, there's this little enclosed bubble of a community. Kinda reminds me a bit of Pleasantville. Not in a bad way though - just different.

Irie is still loving having a backyard. I have put a little wire fence around the trunk of one of our big trees to keep her from gnawing on the bark (weird habit of hers). Today I purchased some outdoor toys for her so she now is the proud owner of a kid's soccerball and a soft-sided fresbie that she LOVES.

The neighbors have all been pretty nice. I haven't spent a lot of time with any of them, but I've met the people on either side of us and one across the street. All seem friendly.

I'm loving having more time with Lily and am constantly entertained by her imagination and expressiveness. There's never a question of what she's thinking or feeling. The rolling eyes, the sly smile, the shrug of the shoulders.

We were talking about birthdays the other day (a topic of choice these days) and I mentioned that her daddy and I have the same birthday. Her reponse? "Yeah, I know that, Ingrid." with the classic roll of the eyes and slight shake of the head. Well, sooory.

Ryan continues to job search. He amazes me with the number of jobs he can apply for in the course of a day. I guess there are a lot of computer jobs out there, but there's an equally large number of people out there looking for them, I'm guessing. Happily, he'll be coming back out to St. Louis this coming weekend to celebrate his birthday!

Work is going good. Well, except for the fact that the economy sucks and it's never easy in the non-profit world, but it's going as well as it can. It's busy as usual and I'm working hard to cram trainings that have to be done this year into the next few months - still playing a bit of make-up from working part-time for awhile. But some new and exciting things are in the works as well, so I'm trying to focus on that. I am really glad that I'm doing something that the majority of the time, I enjoy.

And I think that's the update for the moment. Once I feel like the place is a little more put together I'll get some pictures up!