When worlds collide

I was going to write a post about how Abby was in Fargo with me this past weekend and helped me maintain my sanity.

I didn't think my rambling made sense, so I started over.

Basically, Abby provided me a much needed change of pace with her mere presence.

Fargo takes a lot out of me ... she's awesome.

Travel, out-of-town visitors and more travel

If we could sum up our first few months of marriage in one word, I think it would be "TRAVEL!" As you know from previous blogs, we have spent a lot of time on the road. In June and the first part of July, I (Abby) took something like 25 flights (that is counting segments, so my weekly trip from Denver to Memphis that includes a connection in Atlanta counts as "2" - this is the airline definition for frequent flyer miles!) and spent less than 10 nights in our Colorado home. Jason spent a bit more time there, but had work trips to Omaha / Council Bluffs and Fargo and we BOTH spent a weekend in Washington for my cousin's wedding.

Despite all of the travel, we were able to entertain my parents in Colorado over the 4th of July weekend. Their visit gave us a great excuse to explore some of the attractions around Colorado Springs that we haven't had a chance to see much of yet, including Garden of the Gods and the top of Pike's Peak!

I think I can safely speak for both of us when I report that we are both enjoying our crazy hectic lives at the moment and try to savor every moment we have together - since there is not an abundance of those moments right now!

Dad and mom and Garden of the Gods

Us at the top of Pike's Peak...it is COLD up there!

Our new home!

Many have been asking for photos of our place in Colorado, so I now that we are FINALLY moved in a settled (for the most part!), I thought we should share some photos with you. Since Jason and I still own houses (him a row house in Lancaster, PA and me a townhouse in White Bear Lake, MN), we decided to sign a 1-year lease for a townhouse near his office (like VERY near his office - less than a mile!). Jason thought it would be great because he would be able to walk to / from work. Since we moved in 2 months ago, he has walked once.

Here is a quick description of our place...it is an end unit, so we have windows on 3 sides, which is awesome, because Colorado cools off to the low 60's most summer nights and we get a great breeze.

The entry hall takes us to our living room / dinning room / kitchen area, with a patio off the dining room and a half bath. The basement is one big room, which we've decided to use for an office / TV / game room, also, there is a full bath and lots of under-stair storage .

Finally, the upstairs is home to 2 bedrooms - a ginormous master suite with a bathroom and 2 closets (Jason is currently using 1.5 while I, who am not completely moved out of MN, is only using 0.5). Also there is a guest bedroom / bath, as well as a laundry closet upstairs. In case you've lost count, that is 3.5 bathrooms and a LOT of stairs. Cleaning toilets is a very tiring job in this place!

My top five favorite things about our place (in no particular order) are:

1. The "Moo" painting we have in the kitchen (Jason was talking to his dad on the phone once and instead of ending it with a "Good Bye," he sort of grunted / murmured "Moo" instead...it's been a running joke with us ever since!)
2. The 30-year old bed we have, of which the box spring will not stay on the metal rungs because they are old and bowed out, so every so often we hear (and feel!) a big clunk and the bed is lopsided again (oh, and that was a PG story...it happens when we are just laying there) - Oh and the headboard has acorns etched into...really, acorns?
3. The amazing amount of natural light we experience everyday (even if we do wake up at 5:05 am when the sun streams in our bedroom window!)
4. The 42 inch TV that our roommate brought over (yes, we have a roommate...we can't sell a house to save our lives, but people want to live with us in Colorado...go figure. Honestly, he's just staying a couple of weeks, so not really a "roommate")
5. And finally, I love the fact that no matter where our lives take us, it will always be our first home together...


View from the guest bedroom -- Pikes Peak!


My kitchen (Jason speaking). MOO picture clear in the middle.


Her's ....
(above are some of the 89 hats Jason owns) ... Jason validates .. it's 89.


Mine. (Jason speakin')