Soooo excited.

My grandma and my nephew had plans months ago to spend 3 weeks in Washington with my mom at the end of summer. I thought it would be fun to go when they did, but I didn't really consider it an option. We couldn't spend the money to buy a ticket, and I assumed I would probably have a job. My brother posted the other day that they had gotten on their plane to go out there.

And I started thinking...

if I could find a ticket...

why shouldn't I go? I don't have a job, and we had the money.

I found a ticket that was decently priced, and called my mom. She loved the idea of course. I had  to wait several long hours until Ben got home to talk to him about it. I was nervous he would think it was too much money or something. His only hesitation was when he thought I meant for both of us to go, since he has to work. Once he realized I meant me going without him, he took about 2 seconds to say, "Sure!" Is he great or what?

So I'm going!!!!

I will be in Washington July 28th - August 7th. I really do wish Ben was going with me. It won't be the same without him, and I KNOW I'm going to miss him terribly. This will be the longest we've been apart since we got married. But it will be so great to be with my family in the state that I love. I haven't seen my grandma in a year. I haven't seen her since my grandpa died. My nephew is the sweetest kid in the whole world and I haven't seen him in a year either. And seeing my mom twice in one year? I feel like I won the lottery.

It was such an impulsive decision, I felt nervous about it. It still doesn't feel like it could be really true!

I'm sitting here, a little before 7:00 am. I am sleepy. I got up at six-ish to help Ben get ready for work. I make his coffee and lunch, fill his water jug, figure out something for his breakfast. He's off by 6:30. It's always a hard decision about whether or not to go back to bed. On the one hand, I'm sleepy and could easily just go back to bed for a little more snoozing. On the other hand, if I do go back to sleep I usually sleep too long, feel crappy and don't get anything done. I could set an alarm, but when I don't HAVE to get up, it's easy just to turn it off. So I try to stay up a lot of the time.

Here are the noteworthy things that have happened since I last blogged. I got rejected by some more jobs, which is just not fun. I went to the zoo with my sister-in-laws and nephews. I made some amazing blueberry muffins. I ordered (and received!) some new clothes. I bought an adorable new purse. Ben and I babysat one of our nephews. I've been watching Ben play the most bizarre video game. I bought some succulents and have a little container garden of them on the back railing of the motor home. I've been reading The Parasites by Daphne DuMaurier. We ordered tags for the cats and have experimented a little with letting them out. Graybeard loves being out and will try to run past you when you open the door. Darcy and Scurvy are a little unsure about this whole being outside thing.

Currently, I don't have any applications out that I'm waiting to here back from. I'm trying to figure out what I might like to do besides an office job. I browse jobs at least weekly, usually a couple of times a week. I try to be open to ideas. But I'm not finding or coming up with much. I would really like to get to know some more people, because I really think that's the best way to find jobs. Ben met up with some friends, and he reconnected with some acquaintances that are married and around our age. I'm kind of hoping maybe we can get to know those people. Not just for connections, but also for friendship.

Today I am going swimsuit shopping (eep) with one of my sister-in-laws. We are going with his brother's and their families to a water park tomorrow. I haven't bought or worn a swimsuit in a long time. I'm hoping to find a one piece that doesn't make me look like a middle aged woman and maybe some shorts to go with it. I go way on the modesty side of swimsuits.

Nephews getting ready to feed giraffes.

Hey there.

Aren't hippos the best zoo animals?

Cute.

Graybeard likes munching plants.

He isn't sure he wants to come out.

How cute is he? He loves being outside.

The other two not so much.

My sweetheart.

"I don't think I like it out there."