Maryland

I have officially made the move. I moved here on August 14th and Chad and I moved into a cozy--i.e. old--basement apartment on the 18th. Our apartment. Hmmmm. So weird to say and hear myself say, but I like it. It's going well so far. I got a full-time job working for a firm in Northern Virginia and I like it. The people are nice. Not my ideal type of law, but that's ok. I need experience and diversity anyway. I'm living life like a city girl. I have a loooooong commute every day, which equates to me being kept more up to date than the Billboard 100 as to what the hottest music of the moment is, and also means that I have developed a certain affinity to morning talk radio. The Kane Show (99.5 in the DMV area) in particular. I work 9-5:30 right now but once my training period is up I have the option between that, 8-4:30, and 10-6:30. I'll probably go for the 8:00 shift because the way I see it, I'm going to be up super early regardless and if I go with the earlier time slot, I'll be in my car far less. I'll also get to be home earlier in the evenings--more time to cook (delicious dinners, if I do say so myself) and relax with the babe.

I have been doing qutie a lot of cooking and am enjoying it so much. Cooking dinner at the end of the day while enjoying a glass of wine has really become such a peaceful setting and moment of solace for me.

Weekends are enjoyable. I love fall. Relaxing watching football for hours in the living room. The smell of chili every Saturday or Sunday. A big pot made with plenty for leftovers, and who doesn't love leftover chili? Tonight I made cupcakes. It was a chili, subs, and cupcakes day--all made by me. Nothing bought. I'm really doing well with budgeting... especially because it'll be Wednesday before I receive my first paycheck since July 1. I am cooking as much as possible and not wasting a thing. I am quite proud of myself, but needless to say, I am extremely ready for that first paycheck.

More to come.