The State of Things: April

Welcome to the second edition of The State of Things! It’s nice to stop and reflect on what’s going on in my life at the beginning of the month and just bring you all up to date with where I’m at. 

Reminiscing

My Seattle trip in March was wonderful! I have plenty more posts coming up on various aspects of that trip. It was noteworthy for several reasons: it was my first time to Seattle, the longest I’ve been away from my husband, and the first time I traveled alone, to where I knew no one, since my Italy trip in early 2011. Traveling alone is such a core part of me, and I’m so thankful that I don’t have to let go of that as a married woman.

Planning

Now that I got a ‘big’ solo trip out of the way, I’m eager to travel with Andy (and Juno)! This summer will be Juno’s first trip to Maine with us, and I can’t wait to go on tons of hikes together and see her splashing in the ocean. I’d also like to go on some camping trips, and we have so many great state parks here in New York. Andy and I haven’t even explored any of Western or Central NY yet, so we have a lot of options!

When it comes to Juno and travel though, things get complicated. She gets incredibly anxious in the car, even if it’s just a fifteen minute ride. I sit next to her in the backseat, both of us buckled in, and pet her to keep her calm, but she still whines nonstop (she sounds like she’s in pain), tries to jump into the front seat, and tries to break free of her harness. Do any of you dog-owners have suggestions for making longer car rides easier on all three of us? Also, has anyone been camping with a dog? What was that like?

Watching

Did you guys see The Walking Dead season finale?! I can’t believe there wasn’t more action! And I definitely expected more people to die. I’ve heard Bates Motel is good and have been thinking of starting that. Any other TV recommendations?

Moving

My trip + being sick with a cold for the last week have messed up my gym routine, which is frustrating. I’m still going, just not as often as I had been. However! Now the weather is warmer, so I plant to start running outside, and adding some biking into the mix. Yay! I’ll keep the gym membership for strength training and as a back-up for those inevitable rainy spring days.

Eating

There’s a new food truck in town and I’m so happy about it! You all know about my love of doughnuts. Well, Gracie’s is a fairly-new business based across the river in Leeds, and they cook and bake all their offerings from scratch, from the condiments to the burgers to the sodas, and of course, the doughnuts. I have yet to try their fries and plan on stopping by tomorrow afternoon!

Working

Things are in flux work-wise, and that’s okay. I’m so grateful to have work that to lose one out of three jobs isn’t a terrible thing. At the moment, I have two days off a week, which feels glorious. We’ll see what the next few weeks bring!

*

I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Today’s post is C for Currently. Yesterday was B for Birmingham and tomorrow is D for dining: my fantastic vegetarian meals in Seattle! Thanks for following along, everyone!