Apartments, Bikes and Grades

Happy days are here again...after nearly one year of living separately, Matt and I have decided to move back in together. It's been a very rough year for both of us in terms of emotional, psychological and fiscal well-being, but we both feel reasonably ready to take this important step.

Despite (or perhaps even because of?) everything that we've been through, Matt and I love each other very much and remain dedicated to the survival and ultimate renewal of our marriage...well, I shouldn't speak for Matt, but I'm guessing he'd agree with me on this (feel free to shoot me down, honey -- I'm sure you're itching to do so anyway ;-P). And then of course there's the plain fact that schlepping back and forth between our respective apartments in Capitol Hill is getting freakin' old!

Anyway, we've picked out a new two-bedroom apartment about a block and a half away from where Matt is currently living -- an excellent location for two downtown commuters without a car, as several major bus lines run close by and there are not one but two grocery stores are within two blocks -- more motivation for me to get my mad-culinary-demon self in the kitchen and rattle some pots and pans, muah-ah-ahhhh! Spicy lasagne for everyone!

The proximity of beautiful Cheesman Park is also a big plus...Matt and I like to go there to walk, talk, look at babies and dogs and roll around on the grass (last night we sprawled out smack-dab in the middle of the park and watched a thunderstorm roll in with accompanying sights, sounds and smells...lovely. And yes, we got back inside before getting too drenched and/or struck by lightning). The apartment building is about average for the area, the apartment itself is quite large and *gasp!* even has a dishwasher, so I think Matt and I will be quite happy there while having enough space to be able to have some alone-time when necessary. All in all it's a pretty copascetic arrangement, which naturally is making us nervous...Matt's had issues with his management company before and we're both leery of being jerked around by these people, but thus far negotiations seem to be progressing in a more orless satisfactory manner. We haven't signed a lease yet but have an appointment to do so at the end of this week; we plan to make the move on Saturday June 10th (and will of course accept any and all offers of strong backs to help us out,*ahem*). Keep your fingers crossed for us, folks!

In other news, Matt and I saved our income tax refund this year and have finally replaced our bikes (which as you may remember were stolen out of our former building [along withall of our neighbors' bikes] about a year and a half ago). We put the bikes to immediate use by pedalling away from the shop and heading out for some breakfast and errands, and this past Sunday saw a long ride of between 12 and 15 miles along the Platte River bike path. We emerged dehydrated, saddle sore and exhausted but otherwise glad that we were both able to make the ride without collapsing (although I nearly did so when we ran out of water -- I've since learned the hard way that not bringing enough water and relying upon the parks system to have the few available water fountains turned on is DUMB). We've mutually decided that these new bikes will be kept inside our new place...no sense tempting fate in Capitol Hill.

Final grades from Spring semester were released late last week...Matt did famously (straight A's, wooo!) and I did marginally (two Cs and a B, poo...), but we're both glad to have the semester behind us and the summer in front of us. It was a rough semester, especially for me, but I am already attempting to gear myself for better performance this Fall. And for some reason that I can't understand, I usually do better in Fall semester anyway...usually.

That's about all for now...here's hoping that some other Fosters will be updating their blogs soon, hint hint... ;-)