March 28th I received a text message from H³ stating we need to move out. I don't know if you remember but we've been living at my parent's house since August 2014 - the entirety of our marriage. Things like that wear on you. He told me which apartment complex he was looking at, which told me he'd done his research. I checked it out. The complex was dog friendly, close to where we were now so we could continue with our commuting situations, near a lake, everything was basically perfect. So we made an appointment to tour it that Saturday, the 31st.
Saturday morning we went and looked at the place. We were looking to rent a one-bedroom and they had two apartments ready for immediate move-in. We looked at them both, picked out the one we liked better, and applied right then and there. I was a bit wary about the cost (Google "Bay Area Housing Market" and it will explain everything) but we were approved and signed the lease. Now to tell our parents.
That same day my sister and brother-in-law were coming over for Easter dinner. Perfect time to share the great news.
Except my sister announced she was pregnant with her first before I could say anything. So in one day we decided to move out and found out we were going to be an aunt and uncle. But we made our announcement anyway and that was that.
The following week was my review at work. This was the "make it or break it" review that would determine whether or not I would be looking for another job. Not because I thought I was going to get fired but because I really needed a raise and if I didn't feel like the raise they gave me was sufficient I would start looking. I had a minimum number in mind before going in.
Suffice it to say I will not be looking for another job. They not only gave me a raise, they blew any expectations I had out of the water. The raise was massive (over 30%) and I got a promotion and up in job title as well as a bonus. I still work a LOT but I'm somewhat less bitter about it because I'm getting compensated appropriately.
Then we went on vacation to NYC for a week and when we came back we moved into our new place.
Things have taken a few weeks to settle down. We're finally unpacked. Xena was a little depressed for the first few weeks but I still take her to visit my parents and zoom her around the backyard. There's a dog park in the complex and although she's very frightened of other dogs we're slowly socializing her and she's already made a doggie friend she absolutely loves. With time, I think, she'll adjust well. She also loves to take walks by the lake across the street and I take her there almost daily. I've started running again and the SF Half is at the end of July. I've got great trails here and don't ever have to even cross a street during the course of my training runs. H³ and I have our own space, albeit it's a small apartment but still, and we're getting along much better. Even my parents and I are getting along better.
All in all that's been my last month and a half in a nutshell. Amazing what a difference a few weeks can make.
I haven't had much time for anything, even stitching, but I'm slowly getting back into it. I recently finish April's SAL and I'm also going to post the Medieval Shelf from a few months ago I never got around to posting.
March:
April:
Designer: Cloudsfactory
Pattern: 2018 Legendary Creatures Alphabet SAL
Fabric: Picture This Plus "Nocturne" in 32 count Belfast
Stitched: 2 over 2
Floss: DMC and Weeks Dye Works
And for Medieval Shelf, before:
After:
Designer: Heaven and Earth Designs
Pattern: "Medieval Shelf" by Randal Spangler
Fabric: 25 count Evenweave
Stitched: 1 over 1
Floss: DMC
And, of course, how could I leave you without a photo of the new apartment:
Happy stitching, everyone!
