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It's a new month! How is everyone?
Happy May everyone! Send out an update if you have a moment!
Things out here are going well... I finished up my first show of the year, "Seussical" and have auditions for "Aristocats" this weekend. This will be my last time doing shows back to back like this... it's just too much for my sanity! 
DH started a Master's program yesterday. I'm so excited for him but sad too... I was thinking of all the things we did TOGETHER when we were dating and even first married and now we have almost nothing together because of a lot of changes to both of our commitments. We need to work on that because time together (even if it's working on a project, etc...) is the biggest way I feel loved/connected.
Other than that, we're just working on our house little by little. This weekend FIL took down two GIANT trees in the back yard that weren't looking healthy in some spots and were just too close to our house and growing too much over the neighbors' fences to feel comfortable with any branches possibly falling down. Now the two 40'-60' trees are piled in our back yard. It's going to take a while to clear out with our current schedules, but the nice weather and wanting to be outside during the evenings is going to be good motivation to work a little harder than we might want to.
Re: It's a new month! How is everyone?
I'm so tired! In addition to work and the new house, I have three finals this week plus an extra credit project due Thursday. Summer classes start next week; luckily they'll only last 6 weeks.
On the house front, we purchased our kitchen a week and a half ago during Ikea's big sale; I'm not allowed to look at their website after they introduce the new line to prevent me from wanting to change everything. We'll probably start the kitchen reno within the next month since we have everything but the cooktop and faucet.
We also need to tear down two trees that have been attacked by ash borers--the trees are half dead.
DH and I need to spend non-reno, non-chore/errand time together too. Things are too hectic!
Lots of house stuff here, too. We're getting all of our windows replaced on Friday (yeah, ouch to the pocketbook, but it is something DH felt passionately about). We also need to powerwash and stain our deck and fence, as well as finish my office. We'll have been in the house a full year at the end of June so I'd like these major things finished by then!
I found out today that a site I wrote content for won an award from the Center for Plain Language! I'm hoping that my company will pay for my ticket (since my client can't) for the awards dinner. I'm pretty excited to add this to my resume and get for the good press with the higher ups at my organization
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Nice! House stuff was on hold for us for a while - out of funds. I was waiting... and waiting... and waiting for my bonus to come through (which it did this week - wahoo!!) so that we can continue on. We have spent wisely but had some unanticipated things come up to fix that we wanted to do right the first time and so it blew our budget a bit. We'll be able to finish it with what I get from my bonus without financing it so that is good!
We are still not pregnant but working towards a solution. Brought DH's parents into our "circle of trust" to to speak and they proceeded to be really socially awkward about it which sucks. I find myself really sad about our relationship with them. Aside from DH, we really have nothing in common. I really wish that my relationship with them wasn't so forced but starting a conversation with them is like pulling teeth. I start up on a topic, it runs its course, they don't take the next step. It feels like family dinners are a game of 20 questions. I know they want to see us more but DH and I both don't seek out opportunities to spend time with them because it is just so uncomfortable. *sigh* Oh well! It is what it is.
DH is actively looking for a new job which I'm excited about. He had one offer fall through recently which sort of shook his confidence a little but he's at another interview today actually that sounds promising.
I'm actively looking for a new volunteer project to do. I started volunteering for the rescue group we got our dog from and while it satisfies my need to give something back, it just doesn't inspire me. The things I've volunteered for in the past that did give me that inspiration feeling aren't available for me to do with my current work schedule so I'm on the hunt. Hopefully I'll stumble on something soon!
That's my mom's birthday!
Ummm...DH's recovery is going fabulously! He went back to work at the beginning of April. The first two weeks were really draining, but ever since, he's been great. He'll rest when he needs to but he's a trooper. And he always wants to take Jackson on walks on the weekends and everything. We went to DC two weekends ago and walked around the monuments and everything. DH felt good. I'm so proud. His next appointment is next week and we'll figure out the next step in the procedure process to start the teeth implants. It's outpatient but the recovery is 2-3 days at home. I'll take that over a 9.5 hour surgery and a week in the hospital.
ANYWAY - other than that, I started a new job about a month ago. I'm now working from home (which I LOVE) and I don't have a 45min-2hr commute everyday to northern Virginia. I got a siginificant pay increase so that's been a blessing. We're able to finally start putting some aside for home improvements, a vacation, furnishing the basement - or at least it's starting to become more of a reality.
I think that's really the only updates I have.
Too soon to tell. I wasn't chosen for a special project at work, and took the news pretty hard. The whole situation was pretty stressful and because I basically work in a fishbowl, keeping my composure was tough. The silver lining is that I get a now vacant specialty shift, which wile not 9-5 M-F, will still improve my schedule quite a bit.
In brighter news, I've got 4 days off, and am leaving for an overnight stay in a decent hotel before a 65 mile ride tomorrow. Can't wait! Monday is DH's BDay, so I'm working on those plans, which will include massages, and the Star Wars Cookbook
Some time away from work will do me good, and now that I won't have to spend my summer training, I'm planning an actual vacation.
Knitting Blog
Updated 3-12
You aren't imagining things. That did come up a couple of years ago when neither of us was liking our jobs and we were thinking about starting over in the South. It's come up again recently, since DH really misses his family (GA), but realistically that probably won't be happening any time soon.
Knitting Blog
Updated 3-12