Settling in and some goals

We've been in Bloomington for a full week today! In some ways, it's felt that long and even longer in some respects (mostly due to the lack of sleep, thank you very much Chloe), while in other ways it's felt shorter. We opted not to get cable so we're working on getting our computer tower rigged up to stream Netflix to our TV. The unpacking is coming along. I completed the kitchen yesterday (just have to hang something I'm DIY'ing over the sink) and the living room is nearly done. The biggest remaining hurdle is our clothes and where to put them, as we are still without a dresser. We used space bags for most of our clothes and unfortunately, the biggest bags exploded due to the heat in the U-Pack units we shipped out from CA so our clothes are in a giant heap in the extra bedroom waiting to be sorted, hung up, or folded and put away...but we need a dresser. One thing at a time I suppose!

I made a fresh peach cobbler last night on a whim. Sometimes I get bit by the baking bug and just have to whip something up on the spot. We went to an organic food store earlier this week and bought some fresh local peaches and I didn't want them to spoil before we had a chance to enjoy them so I made the cobbler. It turned out really well! The recipe I used is here: Easy Peach Cobbler

We also experienced our first real mid-western storm last night! The lightning was spectacular and the thunder certainly rolled and rolled well into the wee hours. Kobe was less than thrilled about the whole thing. The area is in a drought so the rain was well needed and appreciated. Actually, beginning Monday, water restrictions go into affect: no lawn or outdoor plant watering allowed and only certain plants (ie newly planted trees and crops) are to be watered after sundown.

My mom is flying in to town tomorrow for a whole week! I've been keeping a running list of all the places to go that I think she'd enjoy so we'll keep busy. As I said in my last post, my dad and John were with us all of last week helping us make the drive and only got to spend a day here actually seeing the sights which is sad but they did get to see the IU campus and eat at a few local restaurants. The next time they visit we'll have to make a point of only doing fun things! haha Jason's brother, sister-in-law and our niece will be coming for a week-long visit at the beginning of October and then Jason's parents are coming for a visit either at that same time or near the end of November when performances of the Nutcracker are playing at IU. A few friends have made tentative plans to come visit at some point too so we're really looking forward to all of the great visits that lie ahead!

And now, the goal setting....

1) This blog is one of them. I really hope to keep at it and post and update often. So far, so good! Right now, it's easy because everything is new and fresh but once we get settled, I'm going to really push myself to stay on top of my blogging. Not only will it be a way to stay connected with my family and friends, but it will serve as documentation of our time here.

2) Writing. I need to get back into doing it religiously. It used to be a part of my daily life and somewhere along the lines it got pushed to the back burner and it doesn't belong there. I am a creative person and for whatever reason, I've suppressed that creativity for far too long. I had a good spurt of poetry writing last month and need to keep it going. I have journals to fill. I also want to write children's books. That's been a long-time goal and dream of mine. A local publishing house, Author Solutions, just got bought out by Penguin Publishing. Yes, that Penguin Publishing. It's perfect, some might even say an omen. No more excuses.

3) Find a job. Obviously, I need to work. Not only for the very real monetary aspect, but for the social aspect as well. I need to meet people, make friends, and the easiest way to do that is through employment. I'm hoping to find a more fulfilling job than temp work but really, the job market is tough here too. If you're not a truck or flat bed driver, the pickings are slim. Seeing that we've only been here a week, I think I need to give myself a break but still, it weighs on my mind.

4) Volunteer work. I want to get involved in the community. It will be another great way to meet people, stay busy, and learn about the culture here. I've inquired about potential volunteer opportunities through the local Hospice and am also considering the Big Sister program as well as a literacy program through the local library. I've always enjoyed volunteer work and was an active volunteer in college - it's time to get back on that horse again, too.

5) Hobbies. Cooking and baking are a given. I cook or bake from scratch almost daily but there are a few other interests of mine that have been lingering but not realized quite yet. I want to teach myself to photograph landscape semi-professionally, I want to learn to can, and I want to learn to use a sewing machine. I'm on my way with the first of those things: I bought a Canon EOS Rebel 2000 35mm manual camera for a very low price through an Indiana University student classified ad. I'm very excited about where this may lead :)

So there you have it, some goals. Thanks for reading (sorry it turned out to be kinda lengthy)! I'll have another update soon :)