Reading and Random

So, last night, I decided to start reading (for at least the 4th time) the Anne of Green Gables series. I just love Anne so much, and she is such a wonderful protagonist. Okay, I'm done being a 13-year-old girl for now.

Okay, I've been wanting to post about a necklace that I got last month at a craft fair, but I kept forgetting. Here is a picture of the necklace:Isn't it a clever idea? The jewelry maker added pieces of real lace to a necklace chain. I like it so much that I wish the artist was on Etsy so I could link to her for you.

So, I think the theme of this post is that I am:

1. An old-fashioned girl that really likes lace.

2. Still 13 in my head

I think both the necklace and the current reading choice have illustrated these. And, now you know me just a bit better.

Also, I can't WAIT to tell you how Thanksgiving goes. Matt's really looking forward to it, and there'll be a full report on here (hopefully, I'll remember to take pictures like I did last year!).

Walking

Today, Isaac and I went for a walk. It wasn't a special walk, or completely out of the ordinary. But, while walking, I realized something: I am totally falling in love with our new neighborhood. We have prairie-style houses (which I never understood until I was in one), beautiful tree-lined streets, quiet neighborhoods in the middle of the city. People are friendly. There's plenty of parking. It's just a really great place to live.

I think one of my strengths is the ability to be content in almost any situation. This means that I am very content with where we are right now. The problem with being content is that I often don't get too deeply emotional about a situation, especially if I know that situation is temporary. Since I know that living in Columbus is not temporary, I'm really allowing myself to get in the spirit of living here. I'm taking my time, feeling like investing in friendships, knowing the neighborhoods, etc. is just the beginning of learning to love this place. This will be Isaac's hometown. That's pretty cool.

Also, I love going out in the autumn sun. No matter what the temperature, I don't have to worry about sunscreen, because the sun is so weak, it would never burn us!

Fabulous Fall!

Apparently, there is a quintessential fall event happening right here today. It's called the Circleville Pumpkin Show, and Matt and I would love to go, but... There were several reasons that we didn't want to go today.

1. It's supposed to be super-crowded. We don't really enjoy crowds. (Like 400,000 people go to this event every year, over 3 days. That's insane!)

2. We don't want to spend much money.

3. We weren't sure how Isaac would behave.

So, we decided to wait until next year, when, hopefully, we will have a bit more of the following

1. Cooperation from Isaac (he'll be walking, at least)

2. Money

3. Understanding of the area

4. Time/Availability to go on a weekday

It sounds like fun that you have to make a huge effort to really enjoy. How fun is that, really? You know?

Sometimes, I really miss Cider Day. Fall in New England is unparalleled.

Although, that's not to say that I am unhappy or "homesick" for Massachusetts. I'm really not, I don't think. I definitely miss people, and some places and events. Plus, I really miss the ocean. But, it's not that different here. Matt and I have always been pretty independent, so we've made our own fun. And, living IN the city really has a lot of benefits and enables us to enjoy a lot more events. It's just... Well... I think there will always be things that I will miss about Massachusetts. There will always be things that I think of fondly. You know? I guess that's kind of what life is about, right? Remembering the good times, but not longing for them. It's like those people that long for their high school or college days. They spend their whole lives trying to recreate the past, when they should probably live for the present. I am not one of those people, at all. I like to think about where I am currently, and live life to the fullest where I am. But, that shouldn't invalidate all feelings of longing, right? Yes, there can be an unhealthy level of longing, but I don't have that. Not at all. I'm too present-minded to be unhealthy about it.

Anyway, long tangent to say that I miss Beverly, Massachusetts and people there. But, we are building a good life for ourselves here. Promise.

Things I've Learned

Today, you're getting a list of things that I've learned since becoming a parent.

1. My husband and I are HILARIOUS - we can make our baby laugh any time of day (unless there's a meltdown going on...)

2. Parenting is both easier and harder than I ever thought it could be. And, I can't explain it any better than that.

3. I enjoy my child more and more each day. It's kind of like when you first fall in love, except that this is a different love.

4. I don't like kissing my child on the lips. I think it's gross. He doesn't seem to mind. ;o)

5. I didn't know so many song lyrics could be changed to my child's name. Like, The Flintstones, and the themes to Buffy and Angel.

6. Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. (okay, I knew this one before I had a child, but it's really true. I think we're both morning people)

7. I CAN be a stay-at-home mom, and enjoy it. I know, right?

So, there's a few pearls of wisdom for you (ha!).

Fall

Fall is definitely my favorite season. I know, it's totally cliche, but it was beautiful back in Massachusetts. There really is something special about fall in New England. Honestly.

Here in Ohio, it's been pretty good, too. The weather's been great, and the trees are just starting to turn colors. We have a maple tree in our front yard, and it's going to be a beautiful orange when it's time. I love the half-green, half-red leaves that are falling now. Hrm... Maybe I should dye a sock yarn that color. I think it would be beautiful!

So, Matt and I have been trying to think of ways that we can cut our expenses down. I think we may get rid of our cell phones. For us, we're either at home or at work. We're thinking of getting an emergency cell phone for the cars... But, we're still not sure, and we're considering it.

We're also considering going down to one car. This may actually be more feasible, since I could drive Matt to work. It would actually save us quite a bit of money, too, since we have a loan on one of the cars, and it would save us quite a bit of money.

I don't know what we're going to do, exactly, but I'd like to stay home for as long as possible (and until I find a good job that I want to do), but we're trying to think creatively about it.

Also, I've been knitting again! Serious, good knitting. Not just mindless, same old, same old knitting. It's wonderful! I'll post more about it soon!

Compare and Contrast

So, it's a rainy day today, so I've decided to compare and contrast Ohio with Massachusetts. I think you'll understand why in just a minute.

In Ohio, rain smells like dirt (in a I-should-make-that-into-a-scented-candle way). In Massachusetts, rain smells like the ocean.

In Massachusetts, orchards are big tourist business. There are barns selling all kinds of fall-inspired goods and petting zoos and hay rides and large orchards in suburban areas (there were at least 5 of these orchard types near us in Beverly). In Ohio, it seems that orchards are a much smaller business. It makes sense, really, but this is what I've heard and experienced here. Orchards have similar options - hay rides, petting zoos, pick your own apples - but there's one key difference. It doesn't seem to be a permanent farm stand. This may sound silly, but the farms in Massachusetts really know how to do it right.

In Ohio, there is Jeni's Ice Cream. In Massachusetts, there is Dick & June's. Jeni's is heavenly, usually smooth ice cream. Dick & Junes is delicious, classic chunky ice cream. Both are great.

In Massachusetts, politics are decidedly liberal (except for the Scott Brown fluke). In Ohio, politics are much less decided.

So, there you have it. My initial observations of Ohio vs. Massachusetts.

I have to share one quick story. On Tuesday night, I was going into Giant Eagle, and I was getting very emotional that this would now be my new local grocery store. It's weird when the reality settles in, isn't it?

Settling In

So, finally, our family is reunited!! It's been a little difficult, to be honest, but we're finally together, so that's a great thing.

Yesterday, I drove from Becket, MA (summer home of one of my coworkers), and drove straight to our new home. It was a pretty uneventful trip, except for the last half hour.

It was raining - pretty hard - on the road. It wasn't any big deal, I just needed to pay attention (you know, after 10 hours of driving, that can be a bit of a challenge). Suddenly, my driver's side windshield wiper stopped working. It just went up, but never came back down. So, I pulled over. And, I tried to fix it. Nothing worked, the windshield wiper was shot (maybe the motor??). Ummm.. What am I going to do? I'm only 15 miles away from our new home, and it's raining, but I have no windshield wiper!

So, I thought and thought and thought... And, I decided that I would try to drive in the rain. Guess what?! It wasn't any big deal to drive in (now light) rain without the wiper. I was so surprised!! The water beaded on the windshield, and really, I could see just fine.

All in all, it was a great trip, and I'm excited to be in our new home. It's mostly all unpacked, and I just need to organize a bit more of my things. Matt's a wonder husband! Now, I just need to find that job...