Jeep! Jeep!

I think that is what the roadrunner should have said in all the WB cartoons. As some of you already know, Ben and I have finally graduated to becoming a two car family. Ben seems happy to have more freedom (since I always stole the Subaru and left him stuck at home)and he gets an impish grin on his face every time someone stops to ask about what's under the hood of that car. Below is the article that featured it in Diesel World Magazine, in case you are also wondering what is under the hood of his car. And also to brag for Ben that his car was featured. Thanks a gazillion to Ben's dad, Dad Young, for taking all the pains and time to oversee it's never-ending need for attention until it was all finished. We are so glad to have it!

It's What Month!?!?

Seriously? March? Impossible. I must have been in a coma for the last two months, because it totally seems like January to me. And it's not just because it snowed yesterday (although that helped).

Life has seemed at a standstill for the beginning of this year. This is mostly due to having too much to do and not having any time to do anything fun. I haven't worked out since January. I haven't traveled. I haven't really been home. It's been, shall we say, a little busy.

Classes have been grueling. And for the 1st part of the year I took on an extra project that consumed a couple hundred hours of time I didn't have. And then I have spent the rest of my weeks catching up. In addition, it is recruitment season at my work, which has required a lot of overtime and working on weekends. Or what used to be known as weekends and what is really just a very long week running into other very long weeks.

This next week is finals. I have to bear my head down for 7 more days and then, I will have done all I can do and the Spring Quarter will be over, as will recruitment (at least most of recruitment). And then maybe life will feel like it is moving again. Come to think of it, it's really not so bad to have your head in January and then wake up the next day to find it's almost April. I like April. It's very springy.

AND these months have not been without cause for celebration. This month we got our tax return back. Happy, happy return. And with it, Ben & I paid off the rest of my car loan and his student loan in one fell swoop. Yeah!!!! I can hardly believe they're done. They were our two remaining loans (aside from the mortgage, of course). I was incredibly delighted. When I get done with all of this winter craziness, I may even throw a party just to celebrate. But now that those are taken care of, I have to admit that I feel a loss. I looked forward to this day for so long. Now what do I look forward to? Never fear. We have enlisted the help of a financial planner. Hopefully he will give us some guidance on what to do next. My guess is he will not tell us to pay off the mortgage quickly, though I kinda wish he would. I hate loans of every kind, really.

There were some other highlights from the past few months of inertia. Ben & I celebrated Valentine's by going to one of our favorite restaurants in Cincy, Daveed's. We actually remembered to make a reservation early enough that we didn't have to choose between eating dinner at 4:30 or 10pm. And it was lovely (and delicious). Other rare news, I impulsively bought us 2 sky-diving tickets with a groupon offer. So, expect some future posting on that adventure, when we get around to it.

Well, It's not over yet, so I must be getting back. The chain at my desk is tugging me to pay attention, reminding me that I really don't have time for this. At least not for 7 more days. Till next time.