I'm not dead

Just got sucked into a life whirlwind, you know the sort.

So, we finally did it, we bought a house. And it's just lovely, we couldn't be more excited about our choice AND our interest rate (because we're grownups, we can also be excited about the money part). Now, half of my brain is mentally moving furniture and living in our new house. We move in early November, and we can't wait to host some family for Thanksgiving!

We signed our house offer while we were visiting my bestie Sarah over Labor Day weekend in Saint Paul, MN. We had a great time hanging around THEIR cute new house, taking in the city, and just catching up. It felt awesome/like home to see Sarah and her husband again after a 6-month hiatus.

The weather is starting to turn, too. I just love seasons. Even the one that shall not be named. Every year when the seasons turn, I get SO EXCITED for the new one to come. I just don't know that I could ever live in a place where the weather hardly changes, even if that ONE season is weather-tastic. Snow and rain are just another reason to make soup and watch TV (or be productive at work), anyway, so why hate on them so much? (New house comes with a working woodburning fireplace, bee tee dubs. One more reason to be excited about snow).

In other news, Frank got the best of me last week. (Well, we bested each other). I was removing him from our bedroom and caught a tuft of his fur on.... something (still don't know what). Relieved of a clump of fur, Frank lashed out on me and scratched my eyelid. He didn't get my actual eye, but I went to the ER nonetheless. My eye is fine and healing well, but I had to get a tetnus shot and THAT was way worse. My arm hurt so bad on day 2 and 3 that I couldn't stand to move it or roll over on it during the night.

On the upside, I'm clear to play with rusty nails again............

This weekend was also my unofficial fall kick-off: Brucemorchestra. For the 4th year now, Orchestra Iowa played an amazing outdoor concert on the lawn at Brucemore. We all show up with lawn chairs, wine, and snacks and enjoy the music. I LOVE IT. Makes me wish I played an instrument or sang in a group again.

I also watched our interstate college football rivalry and my alma mater came out ahead, FINALLY. I really only like college football because it's something to do in the fall with friends, but it's good to see your team win, even if you never watch another game they play in the season, haha.

So, to recap our life lately:

Tim and Kate vs. navigating home buying = we won
Kate vs. Frank freak out = Frank won
Kate and Tim vs. changing seasons and fall plans = everyone wins

Sweet, sweet relief

So, first things first. Tim DIDN'T get the job.

We aren't crying though, because he was offered a BETTER position with the same organization!

We are totally elated. He's really excited, and we are both relieved to know that we will be consistently employed. I didn't realize it until yesterday -- but we now both have jobs that have no ending (provided we perform well). Up until this point, Tim has had temporary jobs and deployments that make life-planning uncertain. I didn't think about it much until yesterday when I realized that we get to be in control now. Truly.

It feels great.

This weekend, we get to celebrate Tim's film from last year when it plays at the Landlocked Film Festival in Iowa City. (In other GREAT news, Tim and his writer/director signed a deal to have it distributed! So many happy things these days). Getting this job means Tim knows he can stay close to the film projects that make him happy. I'm so proud!

We also decided to splurge and stay overnight in Iowa City, to celebrate. We're headed out to dinner with friends after the festival, but not before we invite them up to our club-floor room with free evening hors d'oeuvres :) what WHAT?

Add that to a salon appointment this afternoon, trip to a local winery tonight, and boating on Sunday... and I think we have a pretty well-rounded weekend ahead of us. I might even break out a BCBG jumpsuit I bought in Nashville but haven't worn yet. Because it's a jumpsuit?

I'll keep you in suspense.

Back to Monday

What a weekend.

It was so perfect in my mind, that I am making a point to put it in here so I can remind myself later that this is what I like. (Sign of late-20s aging: reverting to a two-year-old's ability to remember preferences).

Friday: Work until noon (standard where I work. Jealous?), then lunch with friends at my favorite French cafe in Cedar Rapids (also the ONLY one). Dined on tomato mozzerella salad and croque madame. AND an almond fruit tart that was an edible piece of art. Came home, took a nap, then Tim came home to tell me about an awesome (second) job interview he had. Hopes are high! Then, we met friends/a sister for a movie and dinner at Hacienda, my second home. French and Mexican in the same day? Perfect.

Saturday: Slept in, got dressed, and picked up sister + friend for Marion farmer's market. Perfect morning to peruse with coffee in hand. Scored: bell peppers in crazy colors, local wine, avacado ranch dressing, mini-cinnamon rolls from a local bakery, pork tamales and pico (local). We walked across the street to check out a  new wine bar. Drank a glass and picked at a meat and cheese plate. Left so I could make some returns at Talbots (see footnotes), then home again. JOGGED for the first time in I can't remember how long, showered. Left for a night out on the town in Iowa City with friends. Ate bolognese at a new Italian restaurant. Drinks. Drinks. ................... Drinks. McDonald's (oh, yes) and home.

Sunday: Slept in. Coffee in my jammies, loving on Frank, then cleaning the house. Showered and met my mom and sister for a local sweet corn festival. Bid on silent auction items, ate food stand food, played bingo. Left the festival for beers on the deck in Amana. Walked around Amana looking at cute things, then ate German food for dinner (delicious unidentifiable wurst and down-home sides). Laughed with the family. Took a picturesque drive home and learned that I scored my silent auction item. Yeah! Grocery shopping and then home again to watch Mad Men, read, and then fall asleep.

This morning was a multi-cup coffee morning because my weekend was so awesome. Tonight is dinner at yet another amazing restaurant with a friend. (Motivation front: We are finally making plans with all the wonderful people we know but whom we never see).

It's possible that after this week, the mister and I will both be gainfully employed. Send good vibes our way!

** Footnote: I can't believe I'm saying this, but all of a sudden I've taken an interest in Talbot's. I ordered a few Loft-type things online, but ordered too big and went to the local store to exchange and was the youngest person in there by at least 20 years. No matter, I FINALLY found a pair of grey-wash jean ankle pants that fit, and ordered a great khaki high-waisted skirt. Just because I am now a patron, doesn't mean I'm buying pants with elastic in the waist.

Unless they're really cute. ** End footnote.