Welcome Home, Carl

It's been less than a year and a half since I started this blog - all due to a big change in my life - buying my first home!

Well, now I'm having another first - living with Carl (really living with any boy).

Carl has officially moved in and I couldn't be happier. After only a little more than 3 months of dating (we like to round up to a year) we've made this big decision. And it couldn't feel more natural.

Just like everything else in our relationship, it feels completely right.

We started talking about moving in together after only 6 weeks. I had trouble wrapping my head around it because it felt so soon. I quickly realized that ‘soon’ was relative and that while we hadn’t been dating that long, we had spent a lot of time together, got along great and communicated so well that time didn’t feel normal. I was caught up in what people would think and how they would react.

And, to be honest, if any of my friends said they were moving in with someone after this short period of time, I may question it. So I expect that and I get it. But that doesn’t change my mind. And I had to get past my own concerns of what others would think and choose what I think is right for me. For us.

And this just feels right. More right than I ever thought something could feel. I now get it. I get how a relationship can and should feel when you’re both mature, open, loving people. So, I’m making room in my 670 square foot house for him. For us.

So while the origin of my blog was about a single gal, living in her first home it’s now evolved. It’s now about two people in love, sharing a (tiny) home. The good news is that we’ll have even more projects to blog about including a soon to be planted garden.

I do, periodically, have flashbacks to the Friends episode when Monica and Chandler decide to move in together and she whines, “I live with a boy!”…..yep, I can relate. Living with a boy is far different than living with a girl. But so far, it’s way better.

Lent

Every year I give something up for Lent. While I'm not a (practicing) Catholic, I was raised that way and have given something up every year. Mostly because I like a challenge and goals so it's right in line with my own personal religion, which is mostly focused on results.

This year I've given up one of my favorite things:

Ever since I did the 21 day food challenge earlier this year, I've been trying to limit some unnecessary sugars. Chocolate chip cookies, sadly, are one of them. I just don't feel great after eating that amount of sugar. But I've fallen off the wagon lately and have been eating more and more cookies. So I figured I needed another boost. This doesn't mean I'll never eat another chocolate chip cookie. But maybe I'll save that for the really good ones.....

I also decided to add something to my life during Lent - flossing. I'm not a consistent flosser, although I don't mind it and like how it makes my teeth feel. But recently going to the dentist, I was reminded how much of a difference it can make.

So my goal is to floss everyday for the 40 days of Lent, with the hope that it forms into a habit. So far, I missed one day. I doubled up the next day and flossed twice and have been on track since. It's hard at night, when you're tired and just want to get in bed. But it's less than 2 minutes of my life that I know is worth it.

Ruffin' It

It's been a busy few weeks. I've been out of town for the past three weekends and several more are on the horizon. Three weekends ago I was in Orlando, Florida for work. Needless to say, I don't love Florida. I was there for as long as I needed to for the conference and did enjoy some time by the pool but it was mostly work.

Two weekends ago Carl, Buster and I went camping out at Carl's land in Dripping Springs. It was my first time camping with him and, to be honest, my first time camping in years. I like to camp. In fact, I love it. I really enjoy being removed from the hectic world and sitting by a campfire.

This camping trip was extra fun, though, because it was with Carl. He's so comfortable camping that it makes me feel completely at ease. Leading up to our camping trip, we stopped off for a little introductory rock climbing. My mom does not want to know that I'm trying rock climbing so I'll spare all the details but I really had fun! I'm not afraid of heights so that didn't worry me. We did some pretty easy climbs to teach me the ropes (literally). I completely trust Carl and since climbing is such a big part of his life, I want it to be part of mine (albeit on a much smaller scale right now).

We then headed out to the land, Buster and some food in tow and built a fire (well, Carl built, I watched...but I did later have to build my own fire and remembered everything he had done). It ended up getting quite chilly that night (below freezing). Little Buster was shivering until I snuggled him inside my jacket.

But it was an amazing night. The stars outside a city skyline are breathtaking and I loved enjoying this with Carl. We stayed in his Airstream Trailer that night. And while it kept us from the elements it didn't have heat. Once I nestled into my sleeping bag, I began to feel my toes again and I slept great!

I think the morning time is my favorite. Making coffee over the fire, watching the sun creep up across the sky and seeing the world wake up, is pretty cool.

We then spent the day on his land, with his friends. They climbed, I watched (this time) and we then cooked out on the fire again (the one I built). All in all it was a great weekend. Not only because I had a great time - because I did - but because it was so important to Carl. He loves his land and I'm growing to more and more every time I'm out there. So is Buster.....

Go Duke Dogs!

It's a rare treat to meet someone outside the states of Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and New Jersey that have heard of James Madison University.

If they have, they think I'm talking about GMU (George Mason University), which I'm quick to correct them b/c GMU is in the same town I grew up in and I would not have gone there (no offense). And then they quickly ask, 'is that a private school'?

Nope. A great Virginia state school with over 15,000 people. It just draws from such a regional area and doesn't have any great sports teams - although that's quickly changing - and is known more for it's marching band and field hockey team.

But for those of you who have heard of it or know someone who went there, you know we're all very proud. We love our royal Duke Dog that wears a crown, and the fact that we only had 3 bars in town due to the large Mennonite population, and that we were so close to Skyline Drive.

So it's a real treat to meet people in Texas who not only have heard of it but went there!

Turns out, there are 3 of us who work at LIVESTRONG (staff of 85 total) that went to JMU! Crazy, huh? We didn't know each other in school (although 2 of us were only a year apart) but it's an instant bond that we love to remind people of. This year, when JMU beat Virginia Tech in a football game, we wore purple to work the next day (not to be confused with TCU, a Texas school that people often confuse our affinity to purple with) and tweeted our picture, which then got published in the Madisonian (our prestigious alumni magazine).

We were also interviewed by the Madisonian (along with a LIVESTRONG intern who was from JMU) and are awaiting the article.

So, if anyone wants our autographs, or wants Colleen to sing our fight song for them, you know where to find us.....

Except after the half marathon, when both Colleen and Ashley made it to the post-event party and I didn't. It's so nice to be missed.....