"Checking In"

We've been in our new little house for about 2 and a half weeks now. It has been pretty cold since we have been trying to save turning on the heat until November. Well, now that it't November, we have it set to come on when the temp dips below 60 F. It gives a good excuse to wear cozy slippers and layers... and blankets... and to make tea. Or bake something to warm up the house some more.

The space is finally looking more like a home now that we have an eclectic collection of generously donated items (table with chairs, couch, big comfy chair, a table for the window, a washer and dryer, a little hutch).

We also have a new dog... well, new to our little family of two. It's Missy (previously referred to as Misty). She is a completely different dog since she has been adopted into our family. I joke with my family/friends that she is like a kid- just needed a good diet, regular exercise, and some structure in her life and she is back on track. We think she's lost about 2 lbs. which for a small dog, is HUGE. She is definitely cuter now too :).

It was so nice to unpack our wedding gifts, organize our stuff some and start using them. It's rather surreal opening them all back up realizing that that was nearing 3 months ago! How the time flies.

Joel is at his new job and is busy as a bee- for those who like similes. We are looking ahead at this schedule of about 3 months of 11-12 hour days and 6 working days/week. It's going to be a busy spring! It is meeting lots of new people and enjoying the office as well as the occasional travels so far (to Eugene for 4 days).

And I'm looking for a job still. I have applied to probably at least 30 different job postings and have one interview so far for a DHS position- next week. I'm looking forward to it and celebrating little successes in this whole process... no matter how little. In my spare time, I've been cleaning the house, continuing to unpack (I can't believe how long it has taken to organize everything!!), walking our pup, reading Stieg Larsson (SOOOO GOOD), and I joined a yoga studio about 4 blocks away from our house. It is great. I am sore in places I've never been sore before. I also am acutely more aware of my breathing and my body than ever- as they like to say, I'm "building a stronger bond or relationship with my body". My favorite term from yoga so far is "checking in". I love it. The teacher says as we lie on our backs preparing our bodies to begin, "Let's go ahead and check in with our shoulders. How are they doing." As we rotate around and move into new poses, "Go ahead and check in with your knees. Are they doing ok?"... It's awesome.

That's all for now... just 'checking in'.

-Have peace.-