I'm Back

March for my birthday celebration

 I never intended to be away so long. These past seven and a half months have been full of so much fun and cooking. How much can change in seven and a half months? A lot. In February I was 26, working seven days a week and spread between three jobs. I was single, though very interested in a handsome man named Dave. He made me smile from inside out with his joy and enthusiasm. Fast forward to now: We're a happy couple. I'm 27. (Really?!) Spring was lovely. We celebrated  my best friend's wedding, and my birthday.
He taught me how to play bocce ball.  We cooked every Monday, my only night off. There was zombie prom, and a dinner party for Faby's birthday.

 Summer came quickly. It was absolutely glorious, the most beautiful summer Portland has had in years. We grilled tons, managed to go camping and to the coast, played outside, ate, drank and were merry. I got pleasantly plump with my little free time going to him and not to exercise. (Now ready to kick that to the curb! He still looks amazing.) I met his ma. We went wine tasting in Hood River and stuffed ourselves with pizza at Double Mountain. The only think that put a damper on the summer was how much I worked. Sixty-five to seventy hour work weeks are no fun when all you want to do is be with someone new.

So I quit two jobs, first one in May, then I left the other two weeks ago. Leaving the first was an easy decision. Leaving the last was something that took a lot of thought, some tears, raised fears and concerns and made me uneasy. I intend to write more about my decision later because it really is life changing. Then work put me on a nine night stretch, leaving me without a night off with Dave for two weeks and how much I missed him way surpassed any doubts I had about the change. Ultimately my desire for a little (or 25 hours) more free time won. Jobs can come and go, but this man in amazing. I don't want to spend another three years giving him what little time I have leftover because I'm working too much. I chose to invest in the relationship.

So far it has been great. We took a trip to New Jersey and New York. I am loving the breaks in between shifts, and getting home earlier. Weird to think that two weeks ago at this time I would have been headed towards work. I've already had a lovely morning, and I still have the rest of the day to do as I please. :)

Other than spending extra time with Dave, I have big plans with my new schedule. There is more time for Sunday dinner parties with either friends or family. I am going to train for next year's Portland Marathon. I'm betting a twenty-eight year old stubborn, driven, focused me can way outperform the uneasy, flighty twenty-two year old I was. I have multiple half-marathons under my belt now, and I want to get rid of this comfort weight or at least prevent further weight gain.  I also want to do a lot of writing... This blog will not be so neglected.

In Jersey at White Castle