Some updates:
Ryan was hired for Cashier 4 - hallelujah. I'm almost done with this damn gig. May HR rot in hell. (Obviously this experience has caused a few feelings.)
We enjoyed our late-November trip to Utah. I could've done without the Temple Square immersion experience, but the rest was great - especially the time at the genealogy library. Driving with Hubby is always fun, and we did our usual postcard-a-day journal thing. Did you know Nevada doesn't sell postcards? We think it's because Nevada is illiterate.
Utah Trip #2 is coming up next month, to help move MIL out of her apartment and into a long-term care facility. She is still in the rehab center at the moment.
Plans for the Atlanta trip are solidifying - we now have plane tickets. SWEET. Now it's all about what to pack for winter there. I'm excited to go, especially for the food, and wondering what national parks we'll be close to. More stamps in our national parks passport!
Also, it's been decided that Hubby and I are going on an Alaskan cruise at the end of August. As much as I love the water, I've never had a desire to go on a cruise. Who knows? Maybe I'll love it. We'll be sailing from Vancouver, BC, and I can only remember being in Canada one other time, so even the preliminaries will be fun. Hubby is beyond excited to bring his camera.
With these upcoming trips, in the space of twelve months, I will have added three new states to my travel history: New York last August, then Georgia, then Alaska. Thanks, Hubby's job, for the opportunity! I get to add those states' stickers to my bullet journal, which is giving me an unbelievable amount of satisfaction.
In the interest of travel shopping - and since I've been awake since 3 AM and have decided to stop soothing myself to sleep with social media - I just online-bought a pair of swim shorts. When they get here, I'll take them out to look for cute swim tops.
(This is important to mention because 1) I'm cheap; 2) I've gained weight and am not a huge fan of my appearance, yet here I am planning to swim, and that makes me happy; 3) I've finally discovered a swimsuit style I like and that also makes me happy; 4) it's exciting to get things for upcoming travel; 5) it feels like self care. I'm becoming the person I needed when I was younger, and it feels good.)
We bought a new dishwasher and garbage disposal, which will be installed next weekend. Finally we can be like regular dish people. We bought this house seven years ago (this is the longest amount of time I've ever lived in the same house!) and our tiny dishwasher has worked well maybe a handful of times. We're beyond relieved and grateful that the end of hand-washing dishes is in sight!
Yes, I'm trying to be good and stay away from most social media apps. Tick of the Tock is especially damaging to my mental health, and of course, the most addictive. So here I am, blogging again. I feel safer here, anyway. Reddit and Pinterest are allowed, since the information and inspiration are definitely worthwhile.
That's it for now - wishing a happy Sunday to us all.