Spring Is Coming!

It's hard to believe it's already March!  The time is flying by.  Our lives have been very busy these past few months.  Now that Zack is into his final push with school (estimated graduation date: spring 2014), his workload has increased a considerable amount.  But he's doing well, surviving and enjoying his classes for the most part.  He has spring break coming up and couldn't be happier about it!  It'll be nice for him to unwind and relax for a week.

Finally got a new computer! The MacBook he got in '06 is still working, but he really needed a better one...so we used his educational bonds to make it happen!

We have now had Penny for 3+ months and are finally settling into routines and the like.  She is getting bigger, healthier and smarter.  We are constantly amazed and amused by the things she does.  It's been really exciting and fun for us to teach her things.  She knows the words 'treat', 'chewie' (those rawhide sticks), 'potty', 'food', 'bed/gotobed'.  She's gotten good at sitting, then laying down for a treat.  When we play catch, I tell her to 'drop' the ball, then have her sit and then I throw the ball down the hall.  If we want her to catch something in her mouth, we say 'catch' before throwing it into the air.  She's pretty accurate when there is food involved!

playing in the yard

'look what I found!'

Zack sent some pictures to me at work to cheer me up

 

Yes, we are becoming those kind of people, who talk about their dog often.  And take lots of pictures.  We are aware of that.

I went on my first walk with Penny a few weekends ago.  Previously, Zack had taken her when he got home from school.  By the time I got home from work, it was too cold or dark to go on a walk.  I had a great time!  She was so happy to be walking with BOTH of us outside, I bet it was like a dream for her.  We've also been able to play out in the yard with her more.  She's getting good at catch, her favorite toy is green rubber circle thing Zack got for her.  It's great because it rolls really well, which makes her chase it around the yard frantically.  And then she'll walk back to us, trying to swing it up on her head.  It's seriously so cute.

napping in the sun

'LET'S GO, DAD!!'

look how curious the puppy is!

I've been having some success with my new food/exercising routine!  I've lost a few pounds in the past few weeks and that feels really good.  It's nice to have success, because it keeps me excited and motivated that I might be able to do this!  I've been having lots of fun cooking new recipes or experimenting with some of our favorites.  I thought eating healthier would be harder, but it's actually gone really well!  I've been creative with different smoothies, snacks and meals for us.  It's been so much fun for me, turns out I'm pretty good at cooking.  Something that I want to work on is making some of my favorite recipes a bit healthier.  I've had success with recipes from the internet, but I'm curious how adapting some of my family's recipes would go.  For the record, my version of healthy isn't exclusive, per say, I know I could be doing even more to be super healthy.  But for now it's a start and I fully believe that gradually change will be more beneficial to us in the long run.

Zack and I had a pretty low-key Valentine's Day.  Our lives have been so hectic and we've been working hard to budget better that we decided to put our money and energy into future trips (like going to see Zack's favorite band, Neutral Milk Hotel, in Boise next month).  I was just thrilled to have the night together, as neither of us had to work that night.  Zack got me some very pretty red roses and a sweet card, which is all I wanted.  I got him some chocolate and a leather wallet I meant to get for him for Christmas but it completely slipped my mind.  We got bagels and spent the night together, relaxing.

my gift to Zack

pretty roses

:)

I don't think we have ever been this consistently busy.  There were a few weeks where we only had a few hours together and poor Penny hardly got to be with both of us at the same time.  We've had to really work together to make sure everything gets taken care of.  Adding Penny into the mix has been slightly more difficult, as we can't leave her in her crate all day nor outside just yet.  But we've made it work.  And it sounds silly, but planning to spend time together on the weekends, making just 'us' time has really helped our lives stay balanced and happy.  But it might be good practice for the summer, as I've been preparing to have Zack gone all summer.  Since we still aren't sure what he'll be doing and where he'll be, I'm just preparing to be all by myself. 

Speaking of, Zack has had some interviews for the jobs he's been applying for.  There have been so many jobs and interviews and places running around in my head that I can't keep them straight.  He knows what he's doing and I know he'll find something.  He's smart and talented and interested in this stuff, so he'll be great, even if his experience isn't as high as other candidates.  I know he'll find something! Once we hear back and make the decision, we'll be sure to inform everyone.  I know it's been hard to not have any stable answer about summer plans, but it's just as difficult for us.  We really hope that both of us will be able to attend the weddings this summer. 

Zack's hair has gotten really long; it's the longest I've ever seen it in real life.  I'm surprised how much I like it.  He's been growing it out for awhile, since he'll have to eventually cut it for work.  It's really nice, thick and shiny.  One day he asked me to try to put it in a ponytail.  This happened:

GIANT HAIR

right before I gathered his hair up

almost all of it

twinsies

 
Overall, we are still enjoying life and making it happen!  Here are some more pictures!

Zack took some picture with Penny & sent them to me while I was at work...they're too funny together.

'Can I have that please?'

'I want that ball, Dad!!'

this one cracks me up, her cute little facing looking at him!

Every time we go anywhere, she automatically sits in the driver's seat like she will drive us around. It's hysterical.

pretty normal

Sometimes she looks at me with such disdain I can't help but laugh; you'd think I never gave her ANY attention or any bonus little treats! Heaven forbid I want 20 minutes to read!

we like trying to get her to walk on her hind legs. it's so goofy

now she's a fan of Zack's guitar playing (when we first got her, it freaked her out)

This is a common sight around the house. She will slip her paw under the door if I'm in the second bedroom exercising or we put her in the hallway while we eat.  It's so funny to see her little paw, and then when we touch it, she gets so excited ('OMG HUMAN INTERACTION!')

we went shooting one day, I like this picture because it makes me seem pretty cool

She adores me, she is always licking ... everywhere on me. She gives me hugs, which are my favorite.

She loves being picked up and cuddled

goofing around at Hasting's one day

Rugby attire + goofy attitude

Penny-back ride

Penny's friend, Bella (the neighbor's dog). They freak out when they're both outside at the same time, it's so silly. We love that she has 'dog friends'.

 

So we put this Spongebob blanket I got a decade ago in her crate (it's soft, thought she'd like it). Little did we know she'd been eating it. Zack found evidence while on 'doodie duty'. Goodbye, Spongebob blanket!

I had flour on my hands when she came into the kitchen, so I chased her around and got her 'floured'.

Whirlwind

Our lives have been crazy the last month or so.  It seemed like everything happened all at the same time: I got a new job, Zak lost his job, we decided to move, my aunt passed away, my brother came to visit, I went home for a few days, Zak got unemployment benefits, Zak got a new job, we moved, finals week for Zak....It's hard to believe that it's May, and we are in our new place that we just love.  April absolutely flew by and we are still trying to maintain any semblance of normalcy and structure in our lives.

Let's see, I've already talked about my new job, which is still going well.  I've mostly got the hang of things, but I'm constantly learning something new every day.  But I enjoy it for the most part, and it's a good job, so can't really complain.

Zak was told he was let go from his job about two days after I got the final word about my job.  I was pretty shocked, and so were all our friends.  We initially suspected it was because of Zak's numbers lately, and he had been pretty apathetic for the past few months while he was focusing on finding a job more related to his field and school.  I was pretty annoyed, because the company is run so poorly that if it was because of his numbers, why wouldn't they have given him a months' notice or something?  Surely, a man who has spent 2 years at the company, got certified in diamonds and gemstones and has been a foundation to the store is worth the company's time.  But, nope.  And what even angered me further is that Zak's boss, and our ex-friend Mat seemed not to even care or have fought for Zak at all.  And Zak was always supporting Mat, defending him when other co-workers complained.  Zak was a great friend who always had Mat's back.  But it seems like Mat didn't feel the same way.

Well, after a week or so, Zak was contacted by one of the Department of Labor workers, who notified him of the real reason he was let go: Harry Ritchie's claimed he stole about 5 - 6 books of stamps.  Ridiculous.  True, Zak has used stamps in the past for personal letters, but it wasn't a big deal--even Mat and the former manager were fine with that practice, everyone has used company supplies for personal reasons at one time or the other.  It turns out that a few days before Zak was let go, Mat accused him of taking the books of stamps, he said there should be 5 or 6 books and that there were only 2.  Zak was closing that night and took a picture of all the 6 books of stamps, and a piece of paper with the date and his signature, and asked the new girl to witness the picture.  He sent it to Mat and it wasn't brought up again.  So, having found out the real reason Zak was let go, the agent told him if he could get some letters from former co-workers verifying the use of stamps for personal use now and then, he would do his best to get Zak his unemployment benefits.  Luckily, we have awesome friends who wrote some great letters backing up Zak, saying he would never steal from the company, and all of that.  Two days later unemployment was granted, BOOM.  What we think happened is that the branch manager and Mat conspired to get Zak fired, which is actually something they would do.  Mat has no back bone and has completely changed in the two years we've known him.  Obviously, we are no longer friends with him or Erika, as I am still in rage mode whenever I think about this.  They have been crappy friends for the past year and we don't need them.  The friends we do have would never betray us and in short are awesome.

So then the day after Zak got unemployment benefits he got the word that he got a job!  It is at a seedling nursery that is an extension of the U of I, and will be great for his future career.  He'll be growing and taking care of trees and doing forestry-related things.  I'm really excited for him.  The nursery is about 2 miles out of town, but he will be able to ride his bike there, in normal clothes, so that is good news.  They will also be able to work with his school schedule for the fall so he can work part-time.  His first day is the 14th and we are really excited!

This past week we moved (I will expand on a different post) so it was another week of craziness for us.  We were able to move a day before, so we actually slept at our new place a night before our lease started.  We mostly spent the next day cleaning our old place.  It's funny how this move has affected me and Zak differently, he was much more relaxed and for some reason, I was really stressed.  I think it was because I couldn't control a lot of the packing and cleaning since I was gone all day, but I knew he would do a good job.  He did do a good job and I was so glad he took care of most everything.  It's like releasing a big breath, unpacking and setting up our home.  I can actually go through boxes and get something.  I'm still adjusting to everything, mostly the kitchen and bathroom, but I love it here.  We both do.  I think I did like, 5 loads of laundry our first night, I am so stoked to have the washer and dryer!  Pictures and further elaboration will come later this week.

In short, we are in a happy and good place right now.  Things have started looking up and it's a good feeling to not have so many things hanging over our heads.  Things to look forward include: actual spring weather (beautiful skies, but with wind and 50 degrees simply doesn't cut it in May), bbq with our friends this weekend, Zak starting work and ending school, and planting things in our backyard!  Hope this update helped fill the gap in your hearts for information about our lives!

Some May Happenings

I thought Jenna would appreciate this

So far, May has been pretty good. There has been one night of stormy weather, but the days are lovely and are warming up quite nicely. The other day the weather was so nice, I decided it was time to plant some stuff in our front yard. I went to a local little garden shop and got some nice plants for a good price. I got 4 geraniums, 2 wave petunias, a red pepper, an Early Girl tomato, a set of 4 Roma tomatoes, and oregano. I spent a warm hour planting all of them. I am pretty pleased with how they turned out! I just hope they grow nicely. I also got some begonia and gladiolus bulbs from Walmart and planted them. Maybe they'll grow?

it looks so much better now!

new plants!

My parents got me a bread maker! Before Jenna came to visit, I had asked my mom if she wouldn't mind me having it, since she doesn't use it a whole lot. It turned out hers was too big for Jenna to bring up. So I abandoned the idea and resolved to make bread by hand for awhile, until I got get one of my own. Then I was talking to my parents a few days ago and my mom asked if I had gotten the box from UPS. I said no, and she was frustrated because the delivery should have happened already. It was kind of a big mess. But I eventually got the box and I was so surprised! I love it! I don't know where we're going to keep it, but it's awesome and I am super psyched. I made some bread that night and it was a big hit with Zak. I wasn't thrilled with the recipe that came with the instruction manual, so I'm going to hunt around until I find a good one we both love. But anyways, thank you Mom & Dad! I'm so excited to use it!

I was that excited

it smelled so good!

I also made some homemade salsa this weekend. We had some tomatoes that were going soft, so I thought why not? and went for it. It was pretty good, but made our entire fridge smell like garlic! The salsa itself wasn't very garlicky, but it was one strong smell! We had Mat & Erika over for games and salsa, and everyone loved it! I am going to make some more soon, since it was tasty and not too difficult.

this was the first time we used that big chip & dip bowl I got for my bridal shower, it's so cute!

That is all that has been happening with us, I suppose. We are preparing for Zak's mom & sister to come out, which is sooner than I thought! At least the house is mostly clean, since we just had Jenna here. Well, that's all!

also this picture is for Jenna & her friend who got me these socks (they say 'Rachel is spoiled rotten')

Spring Cleaning to the Max

This week we buckled down and did a lot of cleaning, specifically in the second bedroom upstairs. Jenna will be here soon, and shortly after her visit, Zak's mom Glenda will be with us for a few days. Plus, we haven't really done a whole lot with that second bedroom, save throwing it all in the closet, etc. Zak has rearranged some of it a few times, but we haven't gone through the bins and tubs of stuff since we moved.

We initially meant to just make the room look nicer, but I got started on one bin, and four hours later, had gone through everything. I decided that we each needed a bin for our individual winter wear, and one joint one for our summer things.

As we went along, we both found clothes that we haven't worn for years, and decided that a trip to Good Will was inevitable after awhile. I should've taken a picture of all of the stuff we gave away, it was a whole trunk full! I figured I would be able to survive without some of the shirts I used to wear years ago, or those old boots...We had a bag full of shoes and boots, and a huge bag of clothes from both of us. And these four chairs we got from our apartment manager for free when we first moved in. I also decided I could do without some purses and wallets. You're welcome, Good Will and the people of Moscow!

We also threw out a ton of stuff. But once it was all over, I felt incredible! We ended up fitting everything back into the closet, had used the bins smartly, and it looked wonderful. So now, Jenna, Glenda, anyone who wants to visit, our guest bedroom is nice and ready for you!

Some Pictures of Some Pretty Flowers

Zak got me a pretty bouquet the other day. I love this color combination, pink, orange and white. And now we have some pretty flowers in the house as spring hits Moscow. :)

Fire Alarms and Whatnot

Life has been flying for us in Rexburg.  Today Zak went with me to pick up my cap & gown & other graduation things.  I can't believe that I will soon be done with school in a few short weeks!  Of course, I can't wait--each class is a slow, annoying torture at this point.  It's hard to stay motivated, but I want to go out with a pretty decent finish. 

S E V E N T E E N  M O R E  D A Y S ! ! !

We have also had an excessive amount of fire alarms this past week and a half.  Like, 4 of them.  The only other time it had happened was in November, around 11 P.M. where it was cold and I had just gotten out of the shower and was thoroughly frozen.  Last week there was an alarm in the afternoon, which wasn't bad because it was delightful outside.  Another alarm occurred a few days later.  But last night was the worst.

12:40 A.M. the loud alarm goes off, and I immediately wake up.  Zak is a pretty hard sleeper and didn't wake up until I patted his arm.  Grumbling, we put on clothes, grabbed our phones and keys and walked outside.  We waited about 5 minutes outside until the police, ambulance and fire department showed up.  I am not the happiest person when I first wake up, and I'm especially not pleasant after being awoken to a stupid fire alarm and my neighbors all feel it is THAT important to laugh, giggle and yell at 1 in the morning.  Plus, I was cold.  I guess there was some small fire or something, because after 10 minutes, when we went back inside, the complex smelled a bit like smoke.  I know fires aren't planned, but seriously--who was cooking or so inattentive that a fire was started so late at night?  Really??  And today it's gone off multiple times in the last hour, but we were told they were all tests.

Let's just say we are thoroughly ready to be out of this place.

Also, I have started to do Pilates; my doctor asked if I was doing anything like that at my first appointment, but then I found this great little book at the D.I. for $0.50, so I figured I'd give it a shot.  So far, I've been slowly working on the warm-up and introductory exercises.  I haven't seen a whole lot of improvement so far, but I have noticed my abs or legs slowly strengthening again.  And it usually calms me down and helps me sleep.  My back pain varies every day; I went in for another appointment last Friday to get my prescription renewed.  I have been doing everything right-the exercises, starting Pilates, having Zak massage the pain, taking the pills, sleeping with a pillow between my legs at night-but I was still in pain.  Luckily, as I've continued the exercises and cohering Zak to give me massages every other day or so, my back is doing better, slowly.  The doctor recommended physical therapy, but I don't think it'd work into my schedule or that my back is at that point yet.  Hopefully I can get into better habits and be successful with all these exercises, etc.

It is also starting to get very nice around here, 80% of the time.  It's usually in the 40s or 50s with sunshine, but sometimes it..snows...Blah.  On Sunday Zak and I went on a 4-mile, 1 and a half hour walk around town.  It was beautiful outside and we walked down to the nature park that I've never really been to.  It was nice to walk with Zak in the sunshine and talk about everything.  Luckily, just as we were nearing home, the sky turned for the worse, so we chose the best time to go out, it seems.

Tomorrow I am being forced to go to Provo, UT on a field trip for my American Humanities class.  We are going to the BYU museum of Art, which I wouldn't mind, but the teacher is making such a big deal out of the assignments PLUS I was just down there on another field trip last semester and I hate driving down there.  But I should hopefully be able to see some of my best friends, Amy and Anne, while on lunch break or something!  So there is that to look forward to, plus I have a fun friend in my class and we are bringing movies in hopes that the suburbans we ride in will have DVD players.  Although yesterday my teacher was talking about how he'd rather us not bring our ipods, etc.  Yeah..no.  There is minimal to see on the 4 and a half hour trip to Provo, UT and we are leaving at 6 A.M. and I don't want to really interact with some of the people in our class.  Whatever, my teacher is kind of ridiculous, if you read my previous post.  Hopefully it'll be an Ok day, especially if I get to see my friends.

That is about it; we are trying to get Zak's financial aid and everything ironed out with U of I; it's been more of a pain than we hoped.  Zak's past employers at Horkley's never got him his W2 and when he inquired about it, we were told it'd be sent to our apartment.  It turns out that it was sent to the store and Zak wasn't called about it; he went in today and they had it.  UGHHHHHHHHh.  They are just so incompetent and it's always frustrated me, but now it's worse.  I can't believe how poorly they've treated this situation.  But, we only have one more form to complete, so hopefully next week it'll all be sorted out.  My school work is actually lessening, which is strange.  I got my capstone paper finished, but I need to format it, etc.  Should be fine.  Oh, the fire alarm went off again for 30 seconds.  Gotta love it.