Well, it's finally starting to feel like FALL around here...cool mornings; brisk sweatshirt type of afternoons. I know I shouldn't be complaining because a lot of our fellow midwesterners have been dealing with some cold stuff lately...but I have to tell ya....you don't know how much you appreciate the four seasons until you aren't living in them anymore!! I think I'm really going to miss not having snow come winter time. Although, the locals around here tell me that it gets "cold" here. Sure..., I say. But they like to argue that it's a different cold and that someone from the Midwest won't be able to handle it. What I say to that is...Are you kidding me?!?! We grew up bundling ourselves in 5 layers just to walk out of the house like the Michelin man to play in the white stuff for about 30 minutes, freeze to the bone, and then come in and warm up as our sweat from those 5 layers poured down our faces. COLD?!?! We'll see about this...no way is it going to be worse than a Nebraska winter day with 30 below temperatures and wind. I'm not buying it.
Anyways..
For this rendition/update...I figured...why not update you on things that maybe we haven't thought about talking about or letting you in on! So here you have it...the top 10 things that we're up to right now, that you may not have known about! (I could probably work on the title...but roll with it)
10. We're contemplating getting a dog. And by contemplating I mean it's more of a thought in the distance. Sounds like a good idea at some point in time...and then when we get really close to going through with it...we end up copping out...usually finding some reason not to do it. Top on the list is a boxer. (although in a very CLOSE second...I would totally get a cocker spaniel) We probably would have done it months ago...but it seems like we keep debating about a good time. (Plus we're not really supposed to have one, according to the landlord...but he never comes by to check on things...) It almost seems like that debate of when to have kids...which if it's like that..there's never a perfect time for that...right?9. We've added workouts to our daily/weekly regimen. Insanity seems to be the workout of choice, and part of our regular Saturday rituals (around the Husker games, of course). I like to change it up during the week and go to the gym. We are really enjoying it!
8. Speaking of Saturdays...we actually get to spend them together now!! I'm loving my new schedule of M-Friday! It's actually giving me a little more sense of peace being able to spend some quality time with the hubby!
7. Chad's job is getting into the "intense" part of it....as they have about 3 buildings in the works right now...and will continue as they begin more of the workload! It's some exciting stuff...but also means that he will most likely be putting in long days/weeks filled with lots of meetings!
6. We've been experimenting with quinoa. Not sure if I'm a fan yet. So far the best thing that I've found is rinsing it...and cooking it in chicken broth. But even that has become a task..and a little discouraging. I would say it's not a staple around the house yet...but something we're trying to work into a "healthier" lifestyle. But somehow we find the beer/football ruin that most weekends!
5. We're hoping to start a fence for the backyard in the near future. Still waiting on the landlord to approve that one. He seems to think there's no reason to...but we're pretty much the only one's on the block that don't have one and we have people walking through it, with animals, on occasion...and we really just find that odd! But....now I'm thinking it may be a spring project....
4. I've been studying for my vascular boards for yet another certification. I'm currently taking an online class to help with that and earn some last few credits toward the Bachelor's. Hopefully, if all goes well, I'll be taking the boards by the end of the year (or shortly after) and then will only have one more class left to take...putting me at a May 2013 graduation with the BA. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.
3. Just passed the one week mark with my eye, LASIK, surgery! Probably one of the best things I have done for myself! The surgery went great, and my eyes FEEL great!! There is still some moments where the clarity isn't quite perfect...but they tell me that's just from the "roughing" up they did during the surgery. As my eyes heal it will get better...and truthfully it seems like every day is just a little bit better and better!2. We watch the Husker games every Saturday...and support the Big Red with our attire every weekend. Whether that be grocery shopping, working out, yard work...you name IT, we support it! Have also been watching the Husker volleyball team whenever we can! Gotta love that you can get the B1G Ten Network ANYWHERE (for the right price of course). We are really missing the fact that we haven't made it to a football game.....almost to the point we consider going tailgating for the LSU games from time to time, just so we can be in that atmosphere...but ALMOST!! It's amazing how much you enjoy being a Husker when you aren't in Huskerland anymore!
1. ENJOYING US time! We've now been married a little over a year now, and we have to say...marriage is pretty cool! Although we've been through some interesting adventures already (i.e. moving to the BAYOU)....it definitely puts into perspective how amazing it is that we get to spend every day with our special someone. Even though we didn't forsee moving to Louisiana in our future, we really do feel fortunate that we have been able to do this together. It makes for an interesting story down the road for the kids (and no this is NOT a hint of anything). We aren't perfect at that marriage thing by any means...but I say, recognizing that you have to work on things together, for each other, for yourself....that's half the battle! There are days we can't stand each other. There are more days that we really do enjoy each other's company...and we really are getting to know each other even better! But...in all honesty, this move has probably made us closer to each other! Hard to believe you can continue to learn more about a person as time goes on...but we aren't complaining!! Crazy to think about how far we've come!!
Hope this update finds everyone doing well! Probably won't be home for Thanksgiving...and are currently planning out our trip home for Christmas! We would LOVE to see anyone and everyone! And if not, we always like updates....so fill us in!!
Chad and Kristin
