Ryan and I decided to start a new way to delve deeper into our marriage and explore our feelings for one another. He was listening to a song this morning and sent a line from the song to me and mentioned how much he liked that line. After we talked for a few minutes about what it could mean, he came up with the idea that we could pick a line from a song every day and discuss it as it relates to our marriage, our lives, whatever. It will be a neat way to explore our musical tastes and our relationship at the same time.
This week we’ve got some interesting things ahead… tomorrow will be a very long day for me, as I will be going in to work at 9am as usual, but staying very late to cover for one of the other producers who needed to take a personal day. I don’t mind, because Ryan has to work his evening shift tomorrow, too, and my boss told me that I could just keep the overtime. So I won’t be missing any quality time with Ryan, and I’ll get to make a little extra money. I just hope I remember to do everything that he does.
I’ve started a tumblelog at sarahsmile.tumblr.com, which is importing from this blog’s feed as well as some other sources (Twitter, my Weight Watchers blog, Vimeo, etc.). I just thought it would be a fun way to catch all of the little things that happen in between my (sometimes infrequent) posting on this blog. Feel free to check it out!
Categories: life
Ryan and I seem to be falling into a nice little pattern of having dinner downtown once a week. We went last Tuesday for my birthday, and went today because we just didn’t have any leftovers to eat. But it’s been really nice… I get to go downtown, which is off of my beaten path, and avoid the usual traffic on 183 (I still hit traffic on Mopac closer to downtown, but at least it’s different traffic!). And we get to spend some time together, trying a new restaurant, and walking around downtown. Tonight we went to Wiki Wiki Teriyaki on Congress, and we were the only ones in the whole place – which was just fine! It was good food, pretty inexpensive, and after we ate we walked down to 6th and back to San Jacinto, then back up to 10th so Ryan could go back to work. It’s warm, of course, but it was a nice walk. I always feel very metropolitan walking downtown in my work clothes with Ryan. 
I got home and watched House (a rerun… but still good) and then tried to hang our towel bar in the bathroom. But our stud finder has found its way out of the toolbox, so I can’t hang it properly and it won’t stay in the wall (not that I left it… I just couldn’t hit wood). I wouldn’t have hung a Kleenex on it! So, I may have to buy another stud finder, but hopefully I can call it home soon… I think I know who has it.
Ryan and I will be meeting up at Flying Saucer when he gets off work for a pint or two… a nice nightcap for this warm day. I can’t wait!
Categories: life
I got home a little while ago from visiting Vino Vino with Sara… her treat for my birthday. I had a really good time, and it was nice to just sit and chat with her. I’ll definitely have to take Ryan to VV sometime soon… if only to read their slick descriptions of the bottles for sale.
I had a pretty stressful week at work, so it’s been nice to keep things pretty low-key. I’ve mostly been watching TV, unpacking some more, and relaxing. Things are feeling more settled at home, which is nice, but they’re not completely settled yet. I’m still trying to figure out where things are in the kitchen and the dogs are still learning the rules and remembering what it’s like to live in an apartment.
Ryan and I have gotten out to explore the neighborhood more, little by little. We’ve also visited the local Flying Saucer, and Ryan’s started tracking his beers in the system so that he may be able to achieve another plate on the wall here. I think we may be able to strategize it better since he’s been through the process once before in San Antonio.
We’re really enjoying trying out the local restaurants, drinking local – or at least regional – beer, and trying to learn about what’s going on. I’m hoping we can get into the cultural scene soon, too… instead of just the food and drink scene. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Categories: life
Well, I have a lot to catch up on, but I won’t do it here. I figure this blog is more about capturing the present to review in the future than just rehashing the past.
I’m glad to be here in Austin… I’m enjoying my job, and I feel more at home since Ryan moved down this weekend. We’re still swimming in boxes, and I have yet to cook anything in the apartment, but we’ve explored a little bit of our neighborhood. Sunday we had a lovely, leisurely brunch at Kerbey Lane, and it was just what the doctor ordered. We also got to visit Woody’s Pizza (part of the Little Woodrow’s empire I guess) with our friends after unloading the Uhaul Saturday night.
Today’s my birthday, and Ryan is working his regular (late) shift. I was able to drive downtown and have dinner with him while he was on a break, which was nice. It was really cool strolling down Congress and soaking up the late afternoon heat under the watch of the state capitol. I’ve always been fascinated by its presence and I look forward to visiting again sometime.
I think we’re far from settled, but we’re getting there. I hope things shake out soon!
Categories: life
This weekend Janette, Ryan, Rachael and I went to see “Sex and the City: The Movie.” We had a great time at the show at the Angelika in downtown Dallas, and at Balcony Club after the movie for drinks. And I think we all looked pretty great, too!
Categories: life
I’m excited about the weekend… Ryan, Rachael and I are heading to Janette’s for a laid-back couple of days so we can see Sex and the City: The Movie on Saturday night. It’s been kind of a crazy week; Ryan is on the road right now, nearly to Austin, so that he can interview with the news director at my station tomorrow morning. (Prayers!!!) Then tomorrow afternoon, Rachael will meet us in Austin, and the three of us will caravan in two cars up to Dallas to meet Janette so that we can start the fun!
In a week, I’ll be heading up to Dallas again to meet Janette and Ryan, and we’ll be getting on a plane a week from tomorrow to fly to Portland. In Portland, we’ll meet up with my cousin Sean to road-trip to Montana for the family reunion. We’ve made a “local beer only” pact for the week that we’re there, which is perfect because there’s a microbrewery in Polson, the town where my grandparents live, and at least a couple more down in Missoula, about an hour away. There’s already talk about growlers and pony-kegs! Oh my!
It’s been a hectic few weeks of traveling, but I’m mostly excited about it all because I have been keeping a handle on my health. I’ve been eating well, and drinking my water like I should. I’ve made plans to attend a Weight Watchers meeting with my aunt while we’re in Montana, and I’ll be getting in a lot of walking that week, I’m sure. I’m actually excited to get on the plane next week, because I know that it’s going to be so much easier to buckle that seat belt than it was last time I was on a plane (which was what… I guess when we went to New York back in April). I even traded in my 10% keychain that broke for a new one at my Weight Watchers meeting this week, no questions asked!
It’s nice to have these things to look forward to when our living situation is in such turmoil. I’m looking forward to having a whole week to spend with Ryan – and on vacation, no less. It’ll be a nice break from reality.
Categories: family · friends · travel · weight loss
Today Ryan and I are celebrating our second anniversary! But unfortunately, this year we are spending it a couple of hundred miles apart, as I am in Austin and he’s up in Sherman. He sent me some beautiful flowers that are making me smile and feel all those butterflies in my stomach every time I look at them.
There’s not a lot to say here that I haven’t said to Ryan already. Happy Anniversary, baby!
Categories: life
I started my new job in Austin yesterday, and I really like it a lot. The station is cool, I really like everyone in my department, and the work is challenging, but not so hard that I feel like I am going to flounder. I have been trying to keep close contact up with Ryan, since he’s still back in Sherman remotely looking for a job and occupying the house while we’re trying to sell it.
I’m staying with my old friend from way-back-in-high-school, Sara. She’s got a cool condo about 10 minutes away from the station, and has generously let me stay in her guest room while I learn the ropes at work and try to find an apartment that will do for Ryan and I for a while. I haven’t seen a lot of her this week since I came in on Monday, because I’m working nightside this week and she’s usually in bed or almost in bed by the time I get here.
It’s kind of hard to immerse myself in life here in Austin right now, though. I’m eager to explore the city but I don’t want to do too much until Ryan comes down here for good, so that we can make it our home together. I feel a little like really enjoying my job is sort of betraying my life back in Sherman, although this is my job now, and the reality is that I do enjoy it a lot. I am a little more invested in it every day, and I know that I’m going to love it at my new station.
But I have left a big piece of my life behind – as long as Ryan is still back home, the transition won’t be complete. I’ve only gone to work, HEB, and a Weight Watchers meeting since I’ve been here. But there honestly isn’t a lot that I want to do without Ryan around. I want to be able to enjoy and explore new things with him here… I want to save the good stuff for doing with him!
So, for now, I just remember why I’m down here at all… to go to work at my new job. Which I do like a whole lot. I just feel like everything’s in limbo right now.
Categories: family · life · moving · self · work
After a whirlwind courtship, I have been offered – and have accepted – a job at KVUE in Austin. I’m excited to get back under the Belo umbrella, and also to work as part of a larger department in a more focused role. I think that the job opportunity is incredible, and I’m also excited that Ryan and I will get to return to Central Texas and live closer to some of our dear friends.
Of course, I am sad to leave Sherman and my folks, but it’s still closer than Seguin, Joplin, or San Antonio. I will miss getting together with them at Cellarman’s and seeing them at church. But I think, after living back here for nearly a year and a half, that I am past the Sherman time in my life. It was nice to reconnect with my hometown and have Ryan get to know my family better.
Now, we are getting into the time in our lives when we’re thinking about our long-term future. We’re thinking about starting a family (not immediately, but not too far into the future), and about where we want to be for the foreseeable future. Austin is a great place for us, geographically, because it’s right in the middle of all of the people we love. It’s close to TLU, so maybe instead of opening those alumni emails with a little twinge of sadness, we can actually participate in a few of the events that happen on campus.
Living in Austin will also be a totally new experience for me. I’ve never lived there, and I have only visited (as opposed to driven through) a few times. I am not impressed with I-35, but I know that there’s more to the city than that. The people I know who live there or who have lived there really love it, and I know that we will love it there, too.
My first day at work will be May 27th, which is coming up really, really quick. I basically had just enough time after accepting the job Friday morning to give my current employer two weeks’ notice. It’s been a fast decision, but even with all of the listmaking and overthinking, it came down to going with our guts and just trusting that this is going to be a wonderful opportunity for both of us. Keep us both in your prayers as we try to find a place to live and sell our current house, and as Ryan continues to search for a new job!
Categories: family · friends · home · life · moving · self · work
