A Light at the End of the Tunnel

As mentioned in previous blogs, when we moved into our basement apartment in mid-May, we got rent off in order to put in a kitchen. Good news! It's almost done!

Dave is finishing up laying the tile currently, which will be grout-ed, sealed, and then all that needs to be done is putting the appliances in! Yes, it sounds like a lot, but just imagine a room without correct wiring, plumbing, and half the drywall off, and you'll see it in our perspective.

This near-completion means several things:

1. We'll have a kitchen!
2. No more simple microwave/skillet/toaster meals. (significantly fewer of them at least...)
3. We can finally finish unpacking, and get our house in order.
4. The sink will be hooked up, so we can use our washing mashine without it flooding the kitchen when it drains.
5. Before and after pictures are almost ready
6. PARTY TIME!

Yep, we're having a party on Friday to celebrate. So if you want to come, let me know, and I'll tell you where we live.

I also applied for another full time position at I.S. So we're both hoping that I get that. It's called Course Maintenance and Product Testing Supervisor. It doesn't pay as well as the one that I applied for before and...didn't get. But, it definitely pays better than my "temporary staff" position, even though I got a $1 raise the other week. Another good thing, is that it would have benifits. BYU takes good care of its employees. Which, I hope includes dental, because I'm pretty sure I have more cavities. :(

Budgeting

The other week, I looked over our expenses. I went through all our accounts and added everything up in categories. #1 most expensive was rent, of course. #2 most expensive, I'm sure will not come as a surprise in this economy, was gas. We spent more than $400 on gas in the month of June. That equal about a tank a week or more. I work out near Springville and Dave works at BYU in the RB as well as all over the place for his other two jobs. Seeing how we live in North Orem (WAY north), we knew we would be spending a little more on commuting. Last month, Dave would ride his bike to work, and I would drive the car to work (I think I'd die if I tried to ride my bike that far...). After work, I would pick up Dave from the RB and we'd put the bike on the bike rack on the car. Apparently, this was a lot more driving than we expected.

In order to be more frugal, I bought a bus pass for $30 that is good until September 15 through BYU, even though I graduated already. :) Dave rides his bike every day to and from work. It takes me a little over an hour to get from North Orem to Springville, which used to take me 15-20 min via freeway. It takes Dave about 25 minutes to ride to work, and 35-40 to ride home. He also got a bus pass in case he can't ride his bike for some reason.

This morning, I had flashbacks of seminary days as I dazedly showered as fast as possible at 5:45ish and cooked breakfast in the toaster as I ran from room to room getting ready. Two thoughts ran through my head: "How on Earth did I do this every morning throughout high school even earlier than this!?" and "Well, if I survived seminary, I can do this too...if I get to bed earlier..." Dave was also up to turn on the sprinklers and help me. Hopefully we'll save $400 or so this month by not driving unless necessary. We'll see.

Husband Tag Stolen

So I wasn't technically tagged for this, but I've wanted to fill it out since I saw it in January...but I didn't have a husband then... so here goes.

• What is his name? Dave
• How long have you been married? 2 1/2 months!
• How long did you date? a little less than 11 months, including 5 months of engagement
• How old is he? 25
• Who eats more? if it were a competition, he'd blow me out of the water. Just daily eating he eats about 3x as much as me.
• Who said "I love you" first? me, I think. we talked about the possibility for like a week, and then I finally said it.
• Who is taller? Dave, by 6", we're going to have really tall kids...
• Who sings better? I like singing better, but we both are probably the same level of competency.
• Who is smarter? depends on the subject.
• Whose temper is worse? I think we're probably about the same, but I can get pretty grumpy sometimes.
• Who does the laundry? Usually me, but if I don't do it in time, he'll throw a load or two in if necessary.
• Who does the dishes? We're technically taking turns week for week or so. But we have to currently wash them in the bathroom, so we both hate it equally. We'll see what it's like when the kitchen is finished (with a dishwasher!!!)
• Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I sleep on the right side if you're standing at the foot looking at it.
• Who pays the bills? We both work and whoever has money in their account pays the bills. One of these days we'll become more organized...
• Who mows the lawn? The neighbor girl that wants to do service.
• Who cooks dinner? Me when I feel like it. Otherwise it's kinda "fend for yourself" for now. When the kitchen is done, we'll possibly take turns...don't know for sure yet.
• Who drives when you are together? Me when I'm picking Dave up, otherwise Dave.
• Who is more stubborn? We're both VERY stubborn. It's kinda like the pot and kettle. We're both black.
• Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Neither of us are ever wrong, and nothing is ever our fault either.
• Whose parents do you see the most? Dave's. They live here. We eat Sunday dinner at their house.
• Who proposed? Dave, duh.
• Who has more friends? As evidenced on Facebook...me, but I count all my acquaintances too.
• Who has more siblings? Same. I have one sister and three brothers. Dave has one brother and three sisters.
• Who wears the pants in the family? Dave. He's very manly. Oh but I wish we could both be "forever in blue jeans"

I tag Brianne, Carrie, and Tess (when y'all get married...)