Moving!

So Christopher and I (okay, mostly just me) began to wonder if we could really make it until August in our little apartment. And being the champion problem-solver he is, Christopher marched down to the apartment office and asked if we could move to a different one. Without selling our lease. Thankfully, they said yes! There is one unoccupied apartment in the same building we're in now. It has high ceilings, a second bathroom, a laundry room instead of a laundry closet, a view of the pretty trees instead of the swimming pool, a coat closet, AND most important, seven windows. Our current apartment has three and since the view is of the pool, we mostly have to keep our blinds closed.

Since it's November and the apartment market is really slow, they're allowing us to transfer and our rent will only raise $20 a month. So we'd be crazy not to do it...right?

We'll just have to keep telling ourselves that as we take down the pictures Christopher has painstakingly hung, and unpacking the cupboards that I have arranged just so. Mostly we're just getting really excited for the weekend when we can start transferring our things to our new place. Come and see us soon!

Pretty please...

Maybe it's the fact that Hurricane Ida has been drenching NC with buckets and buckets of water for days, but I really want these boots. I spotted them in Nordstrom the other day and it took more than a little strength of will to leave them behind. I'm not even a huge boot person, but I think I could actually enjoy the extended rainy season in this place if I could count on these lovelies to get me through.

I'd take them in the pea green, or the pretty plum. Aren't they great?

Challis Inc.

Yesterday I drove Christopher to school. I do this almost every morning and depending on what time it is, we're either bleary-eyed and not quite awake, or full of energy. On the energetic days we usually sing really loud to "I've Been Thinking About You" by Londonbeat (Shi-pow-pow!)

But yesterday when I dropped him off, I told him that I felt like we'd just finished up a business meeting. We talked about everything we needed to get done, people we needed to contact, health insurance, possible dentists, mailing problems, maintenance issues in our apartment, and of course, money. Instead of giving him a hug goodbye I felt like a handshake was much more appropriate.

I thought about it (don't worry, I still gave him a big hug) and I realized that we have to talk about that stuff sometimes. Even if it's way more fun to laugh about Londonbeat's terrible song, or stare out the window when we're tired. Sometimes a marriage is like owning a little business and even if that isn't incredibly romantic, a successful business is something to be proud of. I'm proud of ours!

Happy Halloween!

Christopher and I went to the much-awaited Statistics 2009 Halloween Gala on Saturday night. We danced our hearts out, had a blast seeing everybody in costume, and drank a lot of cream soda in order to fit in with our more alcohol loving friends.

Before the party. Christopher's mustache was a huge hit.

.

The professors went all out on their costumes

Christopher with friends from the program

Our good friend Jared as Dwight. As soon as I get a picture of his girlfriend, I'll put it up. Her costume was amazing!

Christopher with one of his professors. In the fish tank. We were laughing so hard after this picture, because he begged us not to make fun of him. He didn't understand that we really thought his costume was great!

Hallelujah

When we left Utah, one of the toughest things about the move was leaving behind the family and friends we had close by. Also, it was tough to leave behind Red Mango. I fell in love with their yogurt near the beginning of the summer, and Christopher took me their ALL the time. The small serving size only has 125 calories, and if you have them sprinkle strawberries or pineapple on the top, it isn't much more. Rich, creamy, tangy, and delicious. It was a heartbreaker to drive away from all that.

Once we got to NC, we discovered that a Coldstone creamery was practically next door. So that became our frozen treat destination. I'm not sure how many calories fits into a small Chocolate Devotion, but I'm guessing it's higher than the 125 region. Yes, much higher.

I knew we had to change our ways. Last night we went to a nice earthy little shop called Local Yogurt. And it is so similar to my beloved Red Mango, it's uncanny. The yogurt is so luscious and buttery, I would say it's downright sinful. :) Also, it's a little lighter on the wallet than Red Mango which made Christopher happy. After finishing my yogurt accompanied by fresh strawberries and a few chocolate shavings, I nervously approached the laptop in order to read up on the nutrition facts of this heavenly treat. The results? 125 calories for a small cup.


Since we moved here, I don't think I've been happier. Now I just need to convince them to provide punch cards...

The Wright Idea...

Christopher and I got to visit Kitty Hawk on our way home last week. Fact: I did not have the best attitude about this. I was hungry, and it was raining, and I had sand in my shoes. But deep down, I really did want to visit the Wright Brothers Memorial and Christopher and I are both glad we did.

We hiked up Kill Devil Hill where Wilbur and Orville did most of their early glider experiments. It was raining pretty hard by the time we made it to the top so we didn't get the best pictures, but a couple turned out. At the foot of this very hill the first flight took place. Pretty amazing. I am so grateful for these two men right now! Especially since I just went on Expedia and booked a flight to visit my family in Connecticut next week. Their glider has come a long way!

Also, as soon as we left the Wright Memorial, Christopher and I bought a pizza and I changed into my sweat pants in the car. So everything turned out okay after all.

Outer Banks

Christopher and I had the best time during our weekend at the Outer Banks. I realize that this is a lot of pictures. There are tons more so you can all look forward to that in the future. :) Maybe we're just hoping that they convince you guys to come with us on an Outer Banks trip next time. Spring Break, anyone?

I got to see a cotton field for the first time in my life. An old farmer told us to go ahead and pick some, so we did. And it was cool. It turns out that cotton on the plant is pretty much the same thing as the cotton balls under your bathroom sink.

We had to take ourselves and car across Pamlico Sound on a ferry in order to get to Ocracoke Island. So gorgeous. We played Scrabble to kill time and I won by one point. It was a sweet victory.

We rode these bicycles all over Ocracoke. We were glad we went in October because some people told us that before Labor Day it's so crowded on the streets, you can't very far on a bicycle. We rode them to the lighthouse, all around the harbor, and to the ice-cream shop.

I had no idea Christopher was taking this picture.

We went kayaking in the Sound, and discovered a really cool trail on the nature conservatory section of the island.

I love this picture of Christopher.

On our way home we stopped at this famous lighthouse in Cape Hatteras and climbed to the top. It was so so cool. I hummed Pete's Dragon songs the whole time.

On the way home we also stopped at Kitty Hawk and checked out the Wright Brothers Memorial. I'll definitely post pictures of that later. We really did have so much fun playing on the pier and eating pancakes at our little B&B. Happy Fall Break!