August already?

This summer is flying by! July was a full month of school, vacation, friends, and a new job. Here's the details:

I am finishing up my first semester online for my Masters of Special Education at Saint Joseph's University. It has been wonderful getting back into academia. It feels like I have never left.

DJ and I camped at the wonderful little Reeds Gap State Park. We hiked, waded in the stream, napped in the hammock, and the best: cooked our favorite camping foods over the fire. We also went to the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival in Reedsville, PA. The whole vacation reminded us why we love our state and how much we miss the country.

We had friends over to our little apartment for dinner. DJ's friend from the port, Michael and his beautiful new wife Rachael visited. We had shepherd's pie with turkey sausage and strawberries for dessert. I even got out the good Blue Ridge pottery from Mrs Clapp and Siesta Ware mugs from Smartz. We had such encouraging conversations. I felt so blessed to have over.

tiny kitchen set up

At the end of July I was asked to fill in at Circle Thrift. Soon enough the position was extended and I will be there for a while. I love working there. Everyone should come by to see me and buy some awesome merch from CT!

I am excited for what August has in store. More updates to come.

world's end

I am so ready for a vacation! DJ and I will be going to a wedding in early June and we will be staying at World's End State Park with other wedding attendees. Camp fires, music, and who knows, maybe some direct action against fracking! We'll see...

How could anyone destroy this land?

October

I am often stricken with migraines from being a woman. Today is one of those days (worse because it also made me nauseous.) I had to stay home and sleep it off, which is often the only remedy. This poses several problems. I also called off work Monday because my husband was sick. I am having this argument in my head. "Two sick days in one week is not so great," says one side. "You never call off so they know that this is just one of those serious situations," says the other. Reading them now, I guess that both can be right. I just makes me wonder if I had gone to work today, would I be better or worse at this moment. I would probably be worse. There. I answered my own question.

October is my favorite month. The leaves, the cold weather, camping, hiking...all of these things invoke some deep emotion within me. I feel childlike and grown up at the same time. I want to play in the leaves and ponder the closing chapters in my life. The summer season of my wedding is over and it is now fall.

My husband and I wanted to get married in October. Frankly, if we had the balls to just do it last year we probably would have, and had our families after us for the rest of our lives, too. We didn't elope. We also didn't wait until our favorite month to get married. There is a little part inside of me that is sad that we didn't wait. We went to a wedding this weekend and that little part came to the surface. DJ and I had a fall wedding in June instead.

So we are going to take a vacation (a second honeymoon if you will.) Camping when the leaves are turning, when the nights are cold so you have to snuggle. good times.