93105 November 14, 2006

Most of our beloved readers (if we have any left after our shameful display of flogging delinquency) may already be aware that we have moved to lovely Santa Barbara, California. No, we did not win the lottery or rob a bank. We are joining the other 80% of people who live in this town who cannot afford to purchase property of their own.

We did, however, find a lovely little home to rent with a yard for Jane, and an actual bedroom for the humans. No longer cooped-up, we are all breathing in the fresh clean non-downtown air. Although I was opposed to SB initially, I am finding it a really beautiful and friendly city to live in. Now as long as we can make rent…

Russ is working for a non-profit called Direct Relief International, and has plans to begin classes at one of the schools in town next year. I have vowed to never work in Human Resources again, and my good friends have promised to come and kick my you-know-what if I recant. I have accepted a job at a local coffee shop and am finally ready to begin pursuing a career in the veterinary field. Jane continues to eat, sleep and play as usual. She is a wonderful companion and has been so amazingly flexible through all of these changes.

We will post photos of the new house in the next couple of weeks and will try to be more dutiful in our flog updates. Until then, enjoy the day.

small spaces breed creativity August 7, 2006

we are in. crammed in. but in.

we moved into our apartment in long beach on wednesday with the help of my fabulous in-laws, and we have been steadily unpacking boxes and seeing more and more of the floor every day. they say small spaces make for creative decorating, and they’re not kidding! our most innovative idea yet was to stack two bookshelves on top of each other. sounds insignificant, but when you’re talking about less than 400 square feet, that means something! we also made a post-move goodwill run and that gave us a bit more breathing room as well.
interesting happenings: we arrived wednesday to find that the television show csi miami was shooting a portion of an episode in front of our leasing office. there has also been a movie shoot going on across the street the last few nights. not sure what that is about. then yesterday, we drove down to the san clemente pier to have dinner with some friends, and observed a group of people actually applauding for the setting sun.

unbelievable.

the weather here is incredible–80 degrees and always a nice ocean breeze. the skateboarding is fantastic–not an ounce of work in any direction. we are 2 blocks from everything and anything we might need…groceries, coffee, post office. we’ve walked down to the beach a couple of times and what a feeling! we truly are blessed to be able to live so close to the things we enjoy. it’s an incredible place to be.

there have been struggles and challenges, as there always are, but we are hanging in, doing our best to support each other, and remember that it’s not the stuff we have or don’t have that makes life joyful…it’s loving God and the people around us.

once the place is free of boxes, we will definitely have some pictures up. until then, know that we miss all of you…denver, nashville, lakeport…and our world is richer because you are in it.

you know you’re in california when… July 21, 2006

1. you go to a job interview in flip-flops…and no one seems to care
2. interstates are preceded by “the” (i.e. the 5, the 15, the 405)
3. it takes you over an hour to drive 25 miles
4. the guy next to you on the harley is wearing kahki shorts and a pink polo shirt
5. you don’t blink at paying $3.20 for a gallon of gas
6. you have in-depth conversations about earthquakes
7. you throw away your umbrella (southern california only)
8. distances between destinations are measured in minutes not miles (see no. 3)
9. bmw’s everywhere
10. you only drive when absolutely necessary