Embracing Domesticity and Other Things on my Mind

I have been at this new unemployed and domestic lifestyle for only a few days and I must admit that I am a lot busier than I originally thought I would be. Seriously, there is nobody waving me with a fan as they feed me grapes, weird. I am pleasantly surprised at how quickly my days are filling up. No boredom here.

In line with my new domestic life I find that I have been baking. I think this also has a great deal to do with my newly developed pregnancy sweet tooth. I have never been one to dream about sweets, but last night I woke up wanting cake...bizarre. Plus I have people to share my surplus goodies with. Last night I made a batch of peanut butter cookies and they are sooo good. Tomorrow I will be making lemon bars for Eric's birthday. He's not much of a cake guy, so we're going with birthday lemon bars.

I have had a serious fear of vegan baking since my 1st attempt, many years ago, at vegan chocolate cake ended in chocolate sludge (which was still delicious), but all of these little successes are helping me to get over my vegan baking fears.

You can see in the above photo that I am still not looking particularly pregnant, but I swear there is a little belly there. To accentuate the belly growth I find that I stand sway back when people are taking a look, it's kind of ridiculous. I am on to wearing my loosest clothes as maternity clothes are still a bit tent like for me. On the other hand I am feeling movement every single day. It is really quite a bizarre sensation to have someone living in your guts. I love just sitting on the couch in silence as I feel the little one move.

Speaking of the little one, we are planning to find out the gender in May (although we already have a reasonable idea here's a hint: it is either a)a boy or b) a girl). What do you think, should I announce the gender here on the blog or just wait for the birth announcement?

The New Afternoon Routine

Since we adopted Bumblebee in Sept. 2005 we have not had a front window for her to gaze out of, longingly. Yet at our new house she has become an instant expert at the longing gaze. Usually she starts around 4pm, an hour before Eric comes home.

She looks with slight interest as the robins and squirrels scamper by. She has a reason for keeping her vigil, Eric. She knows it's almost time. She can hardly wait for him to come home.


A person will walk by or a car will park near the house and she is instantly alert, ready to break out the wild greeting party. Her greeting party always serves up whine and cheeseiness.


When she realizes that it is not Eric, but just some random person (any other time this would be a cause for joy, but not when she has her heart set on Eric), she settles back in for the long wait.

When he does make it home you'd think she hadn't seen him in a thousand years. She squeals, whines, spins, jumps barks and then five minutes later she is fast asleep.

The Kindness Bandit: Coffee and a Bonus

So it occurred to me that I completely forgot the Kindness Bandit last week. I was all caught up in the business of moving in. Last Thursday or Friday I was feeling a bit off and it struck me that I had missed my Kindness Bandit mission. Not to worry I have a Kindness Bandit moment for this week.


I have a punch card for a free coffee at a local coffee shop. I have been working on it for probably a year or more. Each time we came to town to visit family my brother Sam and I would go out for coffee and I would dutifully have the card punched.

I have had a full card since we visited in February. No I haven't been drinking caffeinated coffee (not good for pregnant ladies). It dawned on me that I should just pass the free drink along. So, I am on my way to drop the card off at the coffee shop and ask them to pass it along to their next customer. These bad boys are the jackpot too, because you can really get the works...any drink for free. If you live in the same town as me you just may want to hustle to the Blue Heron. I am on my way....now.

Also, if this is not enough Kindness Bandit for you, click here and visit my friend and sort of family (by way of a couple of marriages) Melissa over at Dwelling in the Details. She was the recipient of a Kindness Bandit moment herself. Read her wonderful story.

Eric's Off toWork

My handsome hubby started his first day at his new job today. I wonder how it's going so far? He has a weird day because he had to drive out of town to meet the big wigs. He left really early this morning.

We got up at 5 something, much to Bumblebee's delight, and had time for a quick breakfast before he hit the road. So, begins a strange new routine. I really hope he loves his new job.

Today it is hitting me that I do not have a job. It's strange, but nice. Bumblebee and I spent some time snuggled up on the couch before I decided to get ready. I drove to the library, you'll remember that they cannot connect the Internet at my house until May 8th! Anyway, I thought the library opened at 9, but it doesn't open until 10am. I am currently using their wireless Internet from the parking lot. Bumblebee is sitting in the back seat of the car. I threw her some chips that we have in the glove compartment and she seems quite content.

Later this morning I am going to hang out with my Mom who has the day off.

Man alive, I can't believe how much has changed in just a few weeks. Life is so strange like that. I am really quite happy with all of the changes. Do you have any changes on the horizon?

Settling In

Well, this is kind of an old picture (from February), but I am wearing the same outfit today and I don't have any pictures that are from the last 24 hours, shame on me. I am even wearing the same snow boots as I awoke to a snow covered town this morning.

Last night I took Bumblebee out back and it was raining. The sun had set, but there was that purplish hue that seems to settle in when snow is on it's way. I wandered around the back yard with Bumblebee as the raindrops became heavier and by the time we headed back inside I was being slopped by big chunky flakes. This morning all of the trees were bent over under the weight of the snow.

Yesterday my parents picked up a lawnmower for us at a garage sale and we bought ourselves a snow shovel (for 50 cents I might add) and guess which one we ended up using first?! Eric got to shovel the driveway this morning.

I am kind of happy to see the snow even though I am itching to get to gardening. A little taste of what winter will be like in our neighborhood. It's really beautiful. I took Bumblebee for a morning stroll and we enjoyed clomping through the thick slush and watching as huge chunks of snow fell all around us. Well, I enjoyed it, Bumblebee was a bit terrified by the snow chunks that seemed to come from nowhere.

We went to church with the family and then had lunch at our place. It still feels like we're going to have to turn around and go back to Denver at any moment, but we don't.

Also, today is laundry day and I get to do laundry in our own house! I won't have to cross my fingers that nothing will vanish in the black abyss of the communal laundry room. Hooray. I am so excited to do a load of laundry. Later we're going to go and play a game of Farkle with my parents.

What are you up to this Sunday?

Electronic Whoopee Cushion and the New Goodbye

Last night we went over to dinner at my parent's house. We celebrated the fact that Sam got his first job. He starts next week. We went over a bit before dinner and spent some time chatting before my Mom made it home.

When she did arrive Dad and Eric asked her to sit on the couch for a moment. She looked alarmed, as though she were about to receive some bad news. Then...Eric pushed the button for the electronic whoopee cushion that they had hidden in the couch. Dad and Eric laughed hysterically and Mom gave a motherly eye roll.

After that we chowed down as we caught up on what each of us had been up to yesterday. Mom and Dad had worked, Sam went to school and Eric and I made a trip out to his work. After dinner we had some vegan chocolate chip cookies I had made. They were tiny and delicious. I have noticed that I have a real sweet tooth lately, kind of unusual for me.

After dinner we decided to head back to work on the house a bit more and then watch a movie. We are still working on the proper goodbye with my family. We are so used to the usual goodbyes which are drawn out and accompanied by promises to call when we make it home and plans to meet again soon. Well, now we don't really need to have the protracted goodbye, but we are still trying to figure out the right level of goodbye. Last night we settled on hugging.

New Normal

We have started to find a new normal here in WY. Sure, we don't have a routine or anything like that, but things are beginning to feel as they should.


We have started to hang art on the walls. This always makes us both breathe a sigh of relief. I feel like we are all off track when we don't have art up.


Books are in the bookshelves, though they are patiently waiting to be organized by Eric.


Ophelia has been extra lovey since we have started to settle. She was climbing all over me last night, licking my face and meowing her hideous cat breath into my nostrils. I am so glad she is feeling comfortable.


Bumblebee has been clowning it up. Yesterday she took off racing through the house and wasn't quite prepared for the linoleum in the kitchen. She went sliding and crashed into the cupboards. She was un-phased and continued to romp.


Mia has been happy and relaxed since the first night. She did growl at the mailman as he delivered our mail on Wednesday which was pretty funny.


Outside the yard it totally unkempt, but there are already signs of life.


A few flowers are blooming and I can't wait to get outside and dig in. First I need to finish settling us in the house.


This morning Mia took up her new post looking out the window as a sloshy rain snow mix fell.

Catching Up

Well, I haven't given a proper blog in several days so I will try and catch up as quickly as possible. Monday found us packing up our place in Denver. My Dad had driven down from WY in order to help with the heavy lifting since this pregnant lady isn't supposed to be moving things like couches and dressers.


You will remember our mountain of boxes from Monday. Well, above you can see that it had all been cleared out by Monday afternoon. The weather was warm and cheery as we worked to get things cleared out.

Our friends stopped by to say goodbye and give us some sweet little baby hand me downs for our little one.


Above you can see my Dad working to find the perfect balance in the moving truck. Good work Dad, nothing broke in the move!

We were ready to leave town around 2pm. We had a regular caravan going. Eric drove the moving truck while my Dad followed behind. I was in our car with Bumblebee, the cats and our plants. I would like to mention that the cats, while crazy, did the best they ever have on a trip!


We made it to our new place by early evening. I was the first to arrive and opened the door to the smell of freshly baked bread. My Mom had stopped by earlier and baked a loaf of bread! She also had brought over veggie burgers, a grill, fruit, chips, drinks, cups, plates (you name it).

Soon after Eric and my father rolled into town, followed by my Mom and Sam who were there to help unload. The whole shebang was unloaded before 8pm, now that is efficient. When my family left us to get to the business of unpacking we were pretty much boxed into the house, furniture and piles of boxes with little trails from room to room.

Eric and I started to unpack and by 11pm we were dead on our feet. The animals were starting to calm down a bit and we all fell asleep in a house that was mostly filled with boxes.


Tuesday morning we got back to work. My parents met us for a picnic lunch around noon. Then my Mom came over to help us move the furniture into place. I hung clothes and watched while my Mom and Eric did the heavy lifting.

Wednesday evening we started to hang artwork. I am still not ready to show you the house as there are still piles of stuff waiting to find a permanent home, but we are 99% moved in. For those of you who were concerned with my delicate condition I promise that I took it easy. Most of my efforts were related to cleaning and unpacking. Eric and my family were the heroes of the move.


Finally, my friend Charlotte sent birthday flowers for me in WY. What a treat it was to find this beautiful bouquet of tulips waiting for us in the new house. Last night I was talking on the phone to my Mom as I looked at the sunlight on the tulips and I felt a tremendous sense of relief and gratitude. Then I felt the little one wiggle around and I thought about how we are just at the beginning of a new journey, not the end.

Wednesday in Wyoming

Hello! I am in Wyoming (the picture is of Colorado, we're still not fully functioning here). I am planning to continue my daily blogging, but probably at different times as we won't have Internet at our house until May 8th. How will we survive?

I will try and post some photos of our new digs tomorrow. We are still not fully moved in, but things are really going well. We love our house. The animals are adjusting nicely. I am itching to get to the garden later this week!

What have you been up to?

Quick Update

Sorry no picture today. I am using someone's computer, not my own. We are safely in Wyoming and VERY busy unloading. I will post more soon. I hope all is well.

Loading Up

My Dad made it down to Denver last night. He's here to help load the moving truck since I can't do any heavy lifting. Eric and I spent the day on last minute moving stuff. When Dad arrived we decided to just sit around and enjoy some good conversation, the calm before the moving storm.


Bumblebee was a bit confused as we moved furniture and boxes around, but she managed to find a spot to call her own.

You can see that we have a lot of boxes. Thanks to whomever invented the dolly! We're loading up today and we'll head out if we get done packing early enough. If not, we'll hit the road first thing Tuesday morning. Thankfully our drive into WY isn't too terribly long. We'll be there before you know it!

Moving Time!

We are finally ready to move. The storm has passed and now it's time to go! The photo to the right is from this day one year ago, it's a little different here now---there is still snow on the ground, though it is melting quickly.

My Dad is driving down from WY today in order to help us with our move. He has been so busy, we are very thankful that he has taken the time to come and help us move to our new place!

Eric and I are itching to unpack and start decorating our new place. I can almost guarantee that I will be working in the garden before the week is up. I am so excited I can barely stand it. We are on to a new phase in our lives and this move sort of marks that change for us. We'll change from being city folk, who use the Interstate and walk briskly through crowded places, into small town folk who wave at all of our neighbors and take it a bit more slowly.

Oh, I did want to mention that we opened our door here in Denver yesterday morning and found a package from our neighbors. They gave us onesies, burp cloths and baby clothes hangers. Also included was a card wishing us well on our move. We were really surprised because our neighbors have often kept to themselves. How nice and touching that they were so considerate! Seriously, it made my day. It got me thinking about the things that I will miss about the city and I thought I'd share a few of them:

• Watercourse will be sorely missed. Our visits will always be sure to include a visit to our favorite veg restaurant.
• The botanic gardens. We usually take a trip in the spring and summer and it is so beautiful to see all of the green growing things.
• Our friends. I think that goes without saying. Most of our friends were made through school and, like us, they have to move on in order to find work. Many of our Denver friends have already gone.
• Having too many options. Sometimes I find this to be overwhelming, but it can be nice to have choices.
• The off leash dog parks. Well Bumblebee will miss them. She will also miss the daycare we sometimes take her to. We'll take her for one last visit tomorrow as we load the moving van.
• The awesome theater across the street. Eric and I love to go there when we are snowed in, just a quick jaunt across the street.
• Grocery stores with plenty of vegan options! We've been stocking up.
• The Denver Art Museum.
• Tons more, but this post is getting long.

I will try and keep my daily posting up, but it may be off schedule as we are having our internet turned off tomorrow!

My Birthday

Yesterday it did snow, a lot. It rained and snowed off and on throughout the day, into the night and well into this morning. In fact, it's still snowing as I type. Sloppy wet flakes are tag teaming with downpours of rain. Weird weather indeed. Stranger still that we're supposed to hit 70 degrees within the next day or two.


We had anticipated that we'd be moving today, but that is obviously not going to happen with the inclement weather. So, today we are just going to hang out in Denver and celebrate my birthday! Yep, I was born on this day 28 years ago. I must say I am quite relieved to be past the 27th year. For some reason artists and musicians often die in their 27th year, so I am glad to be past all that. I am on to the big 28!

Side story: I had a dream last night that I was playing the part of an old lady in some sort of theatrical production. Also, there was an alien named Integra involved in the dream....End of Side Story

Anyway, I awoke this morning and Bumblebee was quick to wish me a happy birthday by licking my hand and pawing me into full consciousness.

Eric had me open the gifts he had gotten for me and they are awesome! I have been toying with the idea of collecting mid-century dishes for quite some time. I have a special fondness for Russel Wright and of course Hall. So, you will imagine my surprise when I opened my gifts and found that my husband had gone above and beyond in his thrift store/antique store hunting.


He got me started with my newest obsession. Thanks honey! Now I know what I will be hunting for from now on. Above you will see that I am showing how I plan to drink vegan gravy from a Russel Wright gravy boat.


On the left is the beautiful Hall Ball Jug. Creamy and beautiful! On the right are two pieces from the Russel Wright American Modern Dinnerware set in Chartreuse Curry, a gravy boat and a serving tray. I love when I can bring artistry into my everyday life and not just hang it on my walls. Just holding these pieces you know the difference between true craftsmanship and what you pick up at a Wal-mart or Target. I love feeling as though my whole life is infused with art!

Additionally he got me a subscription to Ready Made magazine so I can be inspired and crafty with my new found free time! Now I am off to enjoy my b-day!

Start of Something New

Yesterday was my last official day of work. I got dressed and left the house by 7:30 in the morning. I wore the new black and white dress that my Mom gave me. I admit that I wore it because the high waist and twirly skirt emphasize my ever so tiny baby belly.

Yesterday was a board meeting day (sometimes known as a bored meeting) and I was happy to have the opportunity to say goodbye to the kind people I have met in my job. The meeting was a bit unusual and busy, so it kept me from thinking about the fact that this was my last day of work. I was in the middle of a whispered conversation when I heard our board president call my name. They thanked me for doing my job, gave me the beautiful flowers you see below and gave our baby a gift card to Babies R Us (Trivia: Eric likes to think that Babies R Us is run by actual babies). I was really surprised and quite overwhelmed. My boss and I teared up as we said goodbye. How amazing it is to be so appreciated at a job and to have had the opportunity to work with people who are truly dedicated to others!


After the meeting I drove home with a mixture of sad and happy. Sad to end a very positive chapter in my professional life, but so excited about things to come. I celebrated by having a couple of squares -o-vegan chocolate and some spaghetti sauce.

Last night Eric and I decided to celebrate by doing nothing. We have been so busy with packing and cleaning that it was necessary to just relax a bit. You'll recall that a storm was headed to the city so we decided to change our moving date until Monday/Tuesday instead of this weekend. We figured we could give in to one night of doing very little. So, we had some dinner, talked for hours and watched a bad movie (we both fell asleep).


This morning I awoke to the first wet flakes of the oncoming storm. I guess we're supposed to get a foot or more in the next 24 hours. It's not very cold so the flakes are really heavy and there is a sloppy slush on the ground outside. We'll see how much snow we actually end up with.

I managed the task of "sleeping in" until 7am, Eric is still asleep as I type. I woke up thinking about what to do at work and then recalled that I don't have anything to do at work! So, I turned on the news and snuggled up with Miss Bumblebee.


So far today I am wearing the latest in unemployment fashion. I have on my ancient blue sweater and my t-shirt which reads "I put Ketchup on my Ketchup.'

Oh, my hubby just woke up. Now it's time for some orange juice and some breakfast. I have no idea how I will spend the rest of this day, but I am sure it will be wonderful. What are your plans?

Next Week...

Looks like we may have to delay our move by a day or so. We are supposed to be hit with another big storm. It has been the weirdest spring. Yesterday was in the 60s, we'll have a couple days of winter weather and then back up in the 60s. It's fine if we have to delay by a day or two, gives us even more time to clean and double check our final packing efforts.

Still, I can't help but wonder where I will be this time next week...

• Living in WY instead of CO.
  
• Happily unemployed. Today is my last day of work. Well technically I am on vacation until the end of the month and then they have me on call just in case the new lady needs some help. Pretty much this is my last day of work.
• Moved into a new place. Eric and I are so fast when we unpack. Last time we moved we had every box unpacked the very day we moved in. We mean business!
• Perhaps I can begin work on a garden. I will start with clearing all of last years dead leaves. When we visited the house last week I noticed that there were some beautiful purple flowers trying to push through dead leaves.
• Maybe Sam will stop by after he gets out of school some days.
  
• Relaxing. I am going to take a few days and try to do nothing. It's kind of difficult for me to do nothing, but I think a few days of solid rest after all of the exertion of this week will be well received by my pregnant self.
• Bike riding. I really want to go for a bike ride.
  

Where will you be this time next week?

Almost Ready to Go

We are about ready to move. Just a few days left until we say goodbye to Colorado. I am spending my days at work busy with preparing things for my replacement and training her to take over next week.

Yesterday my boss took all of us plus Eric out to eat at Watercourse for a birthday/goodbye lunch. I am going to miss my job and Watercourse.

Our house is looking like it has been taken over by a mountain of boxes. I have been finding that the 10lb. lifting limit set by my doctor is a bit ridiculous. I am not lifting much so nobody panic, but I think it's fair to say I have lifted a few 15lb boxes. Plus I am going to pick up my cats from time to time and they are both a bit over the 10lb mark. Still I am taking it very easy with regard to lifting and moving.
Speaking of cats, take a look at the photo above. Do you see Ophelia looking out of the top box?


She is really happy that we have all of the boxes for her to lay on, scratch on, or lay inside of. We may have to keep one around our new place as she seems so happy about them.

Finally I have some exciting baby news. No, I am not making a gender announcement yet. Last night I felt some definite baby movement that went on for quite some time. It was so amazing. I was afraid to move because I didn't want it to stop. I would say it felt kind of like a little fish was swimming around in my guts, I liked it!

How have you been?

The Kindness Bandit: My Mom

This week the Kindness Bandit was not me. I have been so busy with the move that I haven't been able to get to normal business. However, the Kindness Bandit still made an appearance via my Mom! She was something of a Kindness Bandit to Eric and I as we prepare for this big move.

Here she is taking a moment between her rampant random acts of kindness to snuggle with Miss Bumblebee over the weekend. So, you may be wondering what she has done to earn today's Kindness Bandit?
Let me tell you:

• She went apartment/house hunting for Eric and I. She went to many many places. My Dad helped with that too.
• When she found us a place she rearranged her schedule to take care of the lease agreements. Thanks to her co-workers who helped her rearrange her schedule a bit!
• When we went to visit our place for the first time she was prepared with a scented candle to make the place smell like home and she had a little outfit (for the baby of course) to hang in the closet so we already have some stuff moved in. How thoughtful is that?
• While we looked around the house for the first time she made sure to pet and cuddle Miss Bumblebee who was so happy about the whole experience.
  
• In case that wasn't enough she went to the house and cleaned for us! The house was already pretty clean. I don't know about you, but I feel that it is always necessary to do my own cleaning before moving into a place. She already took care of that! On her day off no less!

She and my Dad (who is also the Kindness Bandit today) were so helpful as we prepare to make this move. I haven't even scratched the surface of all that they have done for us. My Dad is driving down this weekend and he will help us load the moving truck because the doctor has given me a 10lb. lifting limit due to the pregnancy! My parents and youngest brother will certainly be helping us unload when we arrive in Wyoming.

Hopefully I will be able to start up the Kindness Bandit in Wyoming next week!


I invite you to submit your Kindness Bandit deeds (with photos if at all possible) and I will feature them on an upcoming posting of the Kindness Bandit. Just remember to be creative and to be kind! Additionally, I will link to your blog or website.Please submit your Kindness Bandit activities to maria @ planetwimmer.com
In the mean time I will continue on with the Kindness Bandit as always!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

First a little bit-o-business. We are back in Colorado and are going to make our move in about a week. So we are busy busy busy with all of the preparations surrounding that move. We spent the weekend in WY and were so thankful for all of the people who offered to help us unload when we arrive.

Now onto the real reason for today!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!!!

For those of you who aren't aware, I have an amazing (in my opinion the best) father on the planet. Today is his birthday and I thought I'd share 25 reasons to celebrate him today.

1. My Dad is a good listener.
2. He has the weirdest sense of humor. Seriously it's bizarre and always makes me laugh.
3. He plays a mean game of Farkle. Actually when he does poorly he plays like a 13 year old. It's awesome!
   
4. He is dedicated to his work. Giving so much time to his congregation that I am totally in awe.
5. He is great friends with my hubby. I am so so so thankful that he and Eric are close. Even though they sometimes spiral out of control telling weird jokes and puns.
6. When he was teaching me to drive out in the middle of nowhere he would moo at cows as we passed them. I am still impressed with his mooing capabilities.
7. He is a cat magnet. For some reason cats love this man. Particularly cats who refuse to interact with others. I am not sure why he has this ability, but I appreciate it.
   
8. He loves to make others laugh.
   
9. He is so kind and in such a quiet way. If you aren't paying attention it is easy to miss how giving and thoughtful he actually is. He never draws attention to his generosity.
   
10. He loves his kids so much and makes sure we feel loved and supported.
    
11. He is Norwegian. That's just an automatic plus.
    
12. He enjoys golf like nobody's business.
    
13. He used to play a game called Kid Hunt where he would chase my brothers and I through the house with Nerf bow and arrows (foam arrows). It was a lot of fun and he still threatens to reopen the Kid Hunt practice. I have no doubt that he would do it if he had the foam bow and arrows.
    
14. He is one half of a beautiful love story with my Mother. I am so happy that my parents enjoy and love each other more with each passing year.
    
15. He comes up with a million nicknames for everything. I have no idea why, but he often calls me Fruitia (rhymes with my name). I like it.
    
16. He is such a good son to my Grandmother.
    
17. He appreciates nature and works to have an ongoing relationship with the natural world.
    
18. Bumblebee just loves a good play with my Dad.
    
19. He values solitude as well as his time with others.
    
20. He loves music so much. I love when people have a real gift and a passion to match it. He's one of those people. You can see/hear/buy his music here.
    
21. He has tremendous faith and is also open minded, an amazing mixture.
    
22. His sisters adore him.
    
23. He loves folk music, but he is open to always learn about new musicians.
    
24. He makes an effort to talk with me about my interests and he does it with everyone.
    
25. He is going to be the BEST grandfather!
    

So, there you have it. My Dad is amazing. If you are looking for a reason to celebrate you can join my family while we celebrate my Dad.

Happy Easter

I am going to keep it short and sweet today.

Happy Easter!

Hi From WY

Hello from Wyoming. We arrived yesterday afternoon and immediately went and signed our lease paperwork before even looking at the rental. Yes, we have a lot of faith in my Mom. Turns out the faith was well placed. After we went through the paperwork we headed over to check it out. We pulled into the driveway and hopped out of the car with Miss Bumblebee.

I know some of you are interested in a few pictures of our cute little rental house, but you'll have to wait as I don't have any pictures of it yet. So, let me tell you about the highlights.

Outside there are window boxes and lots of garden space where I can see that there are already flowers and growth. I can't wait to dig into it.

There is also a nice big deck where I envision even more plants, why not?

Inside there is a living/dining room. There are several windows in the living room and throughout the house. The cats are going to loooove those over the summer, looking out at the birds and other cat attractions (cattractions if you will).

The bedroom has some built in shelving which will be really lovely and it also has some nice windows. How beautiful will that be to look out on when I have the window boxes overflowing with gorgeous flowers?!

The kitchen is significantly larger than our current space in Denver. I can't wait to get cooking. Last night my Mom mentioned that when she first moves into a place she loves to cook in order to make the house smell like her home and her food. I like that idea. I am thinking I will cook a curry...

The basement is about 5 times larger than I thought it was going to be. There are two rooms, one is partially finished with carpeting. Eric wants to turn it into "the dungeon of rock" (his words not mine) and hang posters and play drums. I am fine with the drums, but the dungeon of rock may need a little bit of a feminine touch. The second room is unfinished and will be prefect for storage and the litter box. I am sooo excited to have the litter box hidden away.

Outside the backyard is gigantic. There are trees and grass and there was deer poop. I know, why am I excited about deer poop? That means that I can potentially look out and see deer. Hopefully they don't come too often because I don't want them to eat up my garden, but it would almost be worth it.

Finally there is a garage. There isn't really anything particularly thrilling about it, but we are excited.

Bumblebee had a blast she went running up and down the stairs letting out joyful barks of approval. She managed to fall both up and down the stairs, but she was happy about it. Also, there is a heating grate in the floor and she refuses to step on it. Instead she leaps across it.

The other good news is that I can adopt another dog if I can talk Eric into it (I may be able to) and more realistically we can paint the walls!

Transition

Soon. We are almost ready to move. I have a few days left of work. We have a few boxes left to pack, but the time is coming quickly. Between now and then we have a LOT going on.

We are headed to WY to check out our place this weekend and to enjoy a little Easter celebration with the family.

Before we go Eric and I have a few things that we need to do here in Denver, most of them food related. They are as follows:

Go to Watercourse one more time. I am going to have the Donna Lee, my favorite meal there and some tomato coconut curry soup.

Stock up on Sheese. Sweet sweet soy cheese. Not sold in WY. I think we may have to pack a cooler full of only soy cheese.

Visit our favorite thrift stores and antique stores one more time. We really won't buy anything as we are trying to downsize, but we feel compelled.

Gather all of our vegan essentials. Shampoos, conditioners, etc. We can buy them in WY, just for a higher price. Might as well stock up in advance.

We have some goodbye dinners with friends as well. We had our first last night.

Please forgive me if my blogging responses are a bit less than normal over the next week or two. I will continue to blog, but I may not get to all of your blogs. Not to worry, I will catch up.

Her New Thing

Yesterday I walked into the bathroom to get a hair tie before I cooked dinner. I really just need to get a hair net. I strolled into the restroom and spotted Mia our beautiful lady of a cat with her head in the toilet!

Momentarily I hoped that she had learned to hang over the toilet when she had a hairball coming. Unfortunately this was not the case. I gasped in horror as I realized she was drinking toilet water. Toilet water! I thought that was a dog only problem (Bumblebee is too short so we don't have to worry about it).

My horrified gasp pulled her from the guzzling of toilet water and she hopped down and ran out of the restroom. I think (hope) she was embarrassed. She has always been the discreet and clean one. The other two are just barbarians, but Mia...well I never would have taken her for the toilet water type.

A Favorite Photo and an Update

Yesterday Bumblebee ate part of my sandwich. She was super sneaky about the whole thing. I had set the sandwich on the coffee table as we planned to eat and watch a movie. She crept up, her head down and just delicately pulled the sandwich down to her level. I caught her in the act and had to reprimand her. I hate reprimanding that sweet mug of hers. How on earth am I going to be a parent? It's all the worse because Bumblebee was so adorable in her sneakiness.

Today I was looking for a photo and I spotted this photo of Bum (one of her many nicknames) from a couple of years ago. She was in the middle of an ecstatic springtime roll in the grass. A dark thundercloud rolled across my mind as I recalled the sandwich thief from the night before. Then I thought about it and I realized that Miss Bumblebee is all about living in the moment. I love that about her. Sure, it's annoying when she eats my sandwich, but she also reminds me that sometimes the greatest possible thing to do it to roll enthusiastically in the grass.

Speaking of....well nothing really. Sounds like we have finally found a place to live in WY. We are just renting for now, but it's a small house with a garage (no more 30 minute car shovel outs!), a yard (for Miss Bee!), a garden (heavenly for me!), a washer dryer (no more worries that someone will steal my laundry from the communal wash!), windows which will receive direct sunlight (for my plants and the cats!), a basement (where Eric can set up his drums!) and mostly importantly window boxes for flowers (just in time for Spring!).

My Mom found the place for us and she is really nervous about it, but she has much higher standards than we do, so we are really happy. The place is going to be small, but I am kind of excited for the challenge to downsize but still keep our style (I am thinking some Ikea will be in order). We get to start a whole new life in just a couple of weeks! New job for Eric, newly unemployed me (garden here I come), a baby on the way and adding to all of that I get to be around my family! I am so so excited to start a very new chapter of our lives.

What should I plant in the garden?Ooo and I can start a good composting situation! Yay.

The Kindness Bandit: Yo Mama

This week the Kindness Bandit is actually Shellyfish from the blog Musings From the Fishbowl. She has orchestrated quite a thoughtful birthday surprise for her mother. She put out a call to her blog friends to shower her mother with little birthday gifts from all around the world. You can read more about it here. The response has been amazing! You know I had to get in on it as well. The gift giving has been staggered so that her mother will get a continuous flow of gifts for nearly two months!


For my gift I decided to make a little stationery set. You'll recall that I have recently been making cards (read here) by recycling old Christmas cards. I made a matching set of five cards with blue birds on silver trees.


I wrapped them up and they'll go into the mail tomorrow as I am scheduled. Wasn't her idea wonderful?

Collecting

I married a collector. Eric can't help it, it's in his blood. His father collects Nascar, arrowheads, keys, etc. His mother collects clown figurines, items with ladybugs and items with grapes. So as you can see Eric never really had a chance but to become a collector.

Thankfully he has good taste and isn't collecting something like beanie babies. Which leads me on a little tangent about beanie babies, care to follow along?

Tangent About Beanie Babies
(Don't know what a beanie baby is? Click here)
When Eric and I were first married I had a job at Hallmark. We sold beanie babies during the height of the beanie baby frenzy. The store had one of those pull down gates and first thing in the morning people would be hanging on the gate and shaking it in an attempt to get the most recent shipment of beanie babies. I never understood the obsession. The collectors were never children, but always middle aged men and women. Sometimes they would push me out of the way and start digging through a shipment that I was unpacking. It was so intense that the company policy was to allow only two beanie babies per person lest a riot erupt in the middle of the greeting cards. End of Tangent About Beanie Babies

Back to the point of this post, Eric's collecting. Eric started collecting Japanese prints several years ago because you can buy quality art for almost nothing. Additionally you can find the prints of really skilled artists in thrift stores. When I say prints I mean prints that were made from the original woodblock and not modern re-printing. I think there are very few art forms that have masterworks ending up in thrift stores in this day and age.

We are packing, as you probably are aware, and I am seeing some of his finds that I have forgotten about. We don't display all of the prints all of the time as you are supposed to let them rest from exposure to light and other elements that could decrease the quality of the delicate paper. I was thinking about Eric's collecting and I am quite thankful that he has chosen something so beautiful and fragile to rescue.

I am not a big collector myself, but I can understand and appreciate Eric's impulse. Do you collect? If so, what is it that you collect and why?

I Love Weird

Today we were watching a little snippet about world records and Eric and I were struck by the odd things people do. The photo here is of the longest wedding train. I didn't want to show anything too gross because often times weird=gross=world record.

I was completely amused by some of the odd records we saw including: most high fives while the pledge of allegiance is being spoken, fastest zipper pull, most bananas shoved down pants, maple syrup chugging, most fist pumps in a minute, fastest breaking of an entire box of pencils, fastest shoving of donuts holes into donuts, etc.

I was trying to think of some of my skills that might earn me a world record and here are some ideas I have: longest distance of water squirted through gap in teeth (really I am quite good), fastest picture painted with feet, most times singing the sound of music in operatic voice (yep, it's really just a hobby), maker of the world's most adorable baby (I am working on it currently...but I think every mother thinks they have the cutest baby so this might be a bittersweet victory), etc.

What would you do for a world record?

Photo From Here.

Weekend Checklist

Here is my weekend checklist:

• Pack, pack, pack. We are getting down to the last bits of things that we can pack without needing over the next couple of weeks.
• Settle on place to live in Wyoming. We have been all over the place, but we just need to get there already.
  
• Clean. The more deep cleaning I do now, the less I will have on moving day.
  
• Babysit for our friends. We are going to watch their adorable son while they take time for a much needed date.
  
• Give Bumblebee a bath. OK we already did this, but I like to have something on the checklist that I can immediately check off. Makes me feel successful right from the start.
• Groceries. I have to create a meal plan for the week and go shopping. Lately Eric has been really inserting himself into the kitchen. It is really fun to cook with my hubby.
  
• Go through the mail.
  

What are you up to this weekend?

Photo from here.

Somebody Pulled a Kindness Bandit on US!!!!

Last night as Eric and I were taking Bumblebee out before bed. We opened the front door and there, hanging on the doorknob, was a bag. Eric and I looked at each other, as though one of us had some hidden insight.

I opened the bag and there were a ton of little baby diapers. Somebody who knows we've got a little one on the way appears to have given us their leftovers. I have a few suspicions about who may have done this, but what a sweet and thoughtful thing to do! Being on the other end of the Kindness Bandit type activity is really a thrill.

Eric and I are still undecided about our normal diaper selection (cloth or 7th Generation or G diapers) and which will have the least ecological impact. However, if these are leftovers we will certainly take them and put them to good use on the tush of our little one. Does anybody else have good insight into diapering choices and which is the best for the environment?