the new place

Well the landlord let me sneak over to the new place and take some pictures.
I'm not sure when we are going to move in, at least a week.
In the meantime, I will be getting boxes, to start to pack things up.
Woo hoo.
It is literally a block from our house, which will make moving really easy.
Here are some pictures.

The pantry. (it's HUGE)

Our own back porch, perfect for grilling, chilling, hanging and planting!

The walkway to the front door.

Front of the house.
We have the first floor

living room/dining room
(see the arch mom??)

the doors on the left will be Jason's office.

part of the kitchen

Well, there you have it! We'll send out change of address cards when we move.

it worked!!!

My packing a box trick worked!!!!!

Jason and I went to look at 2 places today.

The first place was a house with a lot of storage space, and a cat smell.

We really liked it, but we decided to go and look at the other place that was open.

When we pulled up to it, I tried not to get too excited.

It was the first floor of a house, wrap around porch, back deck, big yard.

Exactly what we were looking for.

We should be moving within a couple of weeks, and I can't wait to start packing.

I'll take some pictures when we get in!

YEAH!!!!!!

packing

All summer long I since school ended in May I have had a running list of things to do in my head:

Jason's Graduation
Trip to GR for Katie and Seth's wedding
Europe trip
Trip to GR for Ava's birth
Work
Get journal entries done for Europe trip
Edit wedding photos
Work
Write research paper
Pay summer tuition
Get new job
Go to GR for Anthony and Molly's wedding
Find an apartment.

I have done everything on that running mental list in my head, except finding an apartment.
I know it shouldn't be that hard. But for me it is.
I have looked at a few.
I have had fewer people actually call me back about those apartments.
I don't want to live in a apartment building anymore.
I don't want to pay $900.00 for some crappy apartment.
I really want to move.
I just feel that it is time.
So tonight, I packed a box, just one box.
I know it's a mind game.
Packing one measly box will not magically produce the most fabulous apartment, in the most wonderful place, with the cheapest rent...I know this.
But, part of me also likes to think that by packing this one box, maybe, just maybe, tomorrow will be the day!

Monday's SUCK!!!

OK, so my Monday wasn't all that bad, but it did start out on a REALLY good note, when I came over a hill on my way to a side job, and saw that cop car sitting there.
I knew, I just knew that I was going to be the lucky winner of nice speeding ticket.
So, I slowed down, got over in the other lane, and didn't even blink when his lights started flashing...I was expecting that.
I can't really complain.
I have gotten very lucky the past 8 or 9 years.
No tickets for this girl....until today.
After I had received my 40mph in a 35mph ticket (instead of 52mph in a 35mph) I went on my way to my side job.
My side job is weeding.
Weeding a vegetable garden.
I never thought that It would take me 3 days to finish, but it's beginning to look that way.
Today was my second day working for this couple and the man of the home felt bad for my ticket, so he paid me a little extra! THANK YOU!
OK, back to weeding.
I am covered in dirt and compost, hot, back killing, muscles straining, so when I finish for the day, I look at what I accomplished and think...that's it, that's all I did today???
But I did my best, the owner was happy, and I got paid and another day of work to go.
So, it's not that bad.
I'm outdoors.
I get paid cash.
They feed me lunch.
I can't complain.
Monday's don't suck so bad after all.

The post below are more pictures of my trip to Europe.
The pictures are from our trip to the Loire Valley visiting the chateaus of Chambord and Chenonceau.

jacob in town

Jason's cousin Jacob is in town for work and is staying with us.
We put him to work right away filling in for someone on the softball team.
Thanks for letting us steal him Linda!
Hopefully we will see you up here this weekend!

camping with my girls

4th of july weekend

a visit from my in laws
a surprise visit from my cousin and his wife
fireworks over the water
road trips
loud music in my car
bicycling around mackinac island
fudge
steaks on the grill
sunshine
campfires
sparklers
fighting raccoons
seeing my parents
seeing my grandparents
seeing my aunt
and my little brother and his girlfriend
eating fried fish
sunsets in the boat
bullfrogs
a great weekend