a list

I’m in a list kind of mood this morning.  I wasn’t even going to blog, but here I am.

1.  I’ve woken up at 6:30 (if not earlier) for the past three mornings.  Well, let’s be honest, more like the last three months.  While I like being a morning person, this is ridiculous.  It doesn’t matter how late I stay up, my body just wakes up.  Sometimes I can’t even will myself back to sleep.

2.  I made Andrew a strawberry rhubarb pie (below) about a month ago for his first visit home.  For reasons beyond our control (house showings, etc…) we didn’t really break into it that entire weekend.  (I think I had a sliver at like 11 p.m. that night before bed, but Andrew had none.) I’m STILL a bit miffed about that one.  I think I wanted Andrew to be so excited about it that nothing would keep him from having a piece.  Such is my life; constantly disappointed by my picky/finicky/never-hungry husband who I try to force-feed everything I make.

3.  We’re trying a church this morning here in Buffalo.  I’m excited but afraid I’ll compare it too much to Apex.  I’m going to miss Apex so much.

4.  I’m a little disappointed about house-hunting.  I was so excited to show Andrew the one I found here in EA, but he was less enthusiastic about it than I’d hoped he’d be.  The reality is that we’re looking for “the one,” a forever home in the right location, with the right yard that’s priced appropriately for whatever amount of work it needs.  I’m just afraid we’ll be so picky we’ll never find it.

5.  Another disappointing thing is our temporary housing situation.  Well, maybe not disappointing, yet.  We still don’t know what we’re going to do.  The disappointing part is that we’re going to be displaced for at least THREE months as this point.  Apparently here in New York, it takes about 60 days to close on a house, and since we haven’t really seen anything we’re excited about , our two-month clock hasn’t even started yet.  I’m hoping we can figure out more housing information tomorrow–it looks like there might be somewhere we can bring Hadrian, but it’s 20 minutes away; or, there is the Hampton Inn (where we’re staying now) which may be able to accommodate us in an extended-stay suite with a kitchenette, but without Hadrian.  I just don’t know that I want to be 20+minutes away for four months while we’re house-hunting and I’m (potentially) working here in EA.  Ahhh!  Pray for us!

6.  I found a kitchen towel at Vidler’s (the local five and dime) with a pineapple on it and it says “East Aurora, NY” on the bottom.  I’m buying it before I leave.

7.  I ran 7 miles yesterday in 60 minutes (almost to the second).  That’s an 8:32 pace (thanks to Runner’s World pace calculator for that one).  The day before I did 3.6 in less than 30–that was an 8:15 pace.  Thank you, Susy, from the bottom of my heart–without you I would have no idea what I could achieve.

8.  Andrew’s father’s birthday is tomorrow.  We have NO IDEA what to get him.  And when I say “we,” I mean his entire family.  His wife, his kids…he is THE hardest person to buy for.  Wish us luck!

9.  When I get back to Ohio on Tuesday, I will have about a week and a half before we actually leave.  HOLY COW.  I’m so excited to be up in EA for good (I mean, I do miss my husband and everything), but I do not feel ready to leave yet.

10.  We haven’t used the hot tub in our room yet.  It makes me feel wasteful, even though we didn’t request it or anything.  I think that’s my problem with food; I hate wasting it, so I eat even when I’m not hungry…  MUST. WORK. ON. THAT.

a hot tub AND a fireplace

We checked into our hotel last night after having dinner with Andrew’s parents.  It’s weird staying at a hotel in East Aurora.  I’ve never had to before.  I probably never will again.  Technically, I suppose we don’t really HAVE to right now, but the company is paying for it.  Sweet.  And it makes this house-hunting trip a little more like a vacation than just a visit to family.

Anyway, we didn’t get a room at the swanky Roycroft Inn since they didn’t have availability for all the nights we needed, but we got something BETTER.  Isn’t it neat when God does that?

There is one other hotel in East Aurora, the Hampton Inn, and we got upgraded.  (I assume because there is NO ONE here.  I mean, come on, it’s East Aurora.  Unless it’s Roycroft Festival weekend or Moog has a giant conference, who comes here?)

Our room is awesome.  Actually, it’s a suite.  Our sitting room with micro-fridge, desk, couch and TV:

The goodies we bought last night at Tops, which is like a (slightly) nicer Kroger.  Definitely more selection at Tops, so I’m excited about that!  Must have a banana pre-run!

Luna bars for my afternoon snack.  Again, Tops had way more flavors than I’d ever seen at the commissary, Trader Joe’s or Kroger.

I splurged (or, rather, our relocation people did) for Chobani.  Love it.  Hate paying more than a DOLLAR for a cup of yogurt.

I also brought goodies from home, like cherries, coffee creamer, hummus, snap peas and grapes.

We have a full-length mirror–must get one for the house.  Had one in our apartment–I have missed it!  Hi self!  (Definitely had fun taking this picture.)

Our giant bathroom!

Hot tub in the bedroom.  Wish I’d known–I would have brought bubble bath!

Andrew found the bed about two seconds after we got in the room.  Yes, he is still in his clothes.

Our fireplace.  Not really sure we’ll use it, but a nice touch.

Went for a run this morning in the village, then had Tiramisu French Toast at Taste, which was just as amazing as it sounds, and now I’m waiting to meet up with our realtor!  Wish me luck on finding a house!

Happy Belated Birthday

My birthday was last Friday.  Also on Friday we had Heather’s promotion, then our “Bon Voyage Bash” and then Andrew and I went out of town Saturday and Sunday.  Memorial Day was spent sleeping in (until 7:15 for me!), getting the house ready for the inspection, a final Rita’s trip with Heather and Maggie, then a BBQ with friends.  Tuesday was Heather’s goodbye lunch, then our home inspection, then goodbye to Heather (sniff).

So, basically what I’m saying is, I’ve only just now come up for air.

Emily’s birthday was last Friday, too.  We’re “Irish Twins one year removed.”  At least that’s what I’ve decided to call us.

Look!  Heather was making cookies…yum!

OK, break for air is over.  Next up: house-hunting trip in East Aurora!