I got so excited about my blog and then I haven't had time to post until now.  Last week Ryan and I had to buy a new refigerator for the house.  We spent hours gchatting about what kind would be best.  I wanted to upgrade to the 2 door-side by side refrigerator and then I got worried that it wouldn't be big enough to fit a pizza box.  That was pretty much my biggest concern.  Will our new fridge fit a pizza box?  I also didn't want a fridge with the freezer on the bottom because I have this feeling that that is where food goes to die.  I felt so much anxiety about not making the right decision or spending more money than necessary.  But we got a fridge on sale and then we got it delivered and they took the old one away.  The online reviews for our fridge were pretty good and we got an extended warranty.  All of that was just in time for Ryan's birthday/housewarming potluck.  The party was so fun.  I got to talk to a lot of people that I don't to see very often.  We watched my work's lady gaga parody video a few times and it was a crowd pleaser.  I got a vegan treats cake and people brought pies and homemade ice cream.  We even got a plant for a housewarming gift.  It was nice to be able to show people the house.  I feel really proud of it, even though I'm not totally moved in and haven't been able to help with a lot of the labor of painting and floors. 

School sucked up so much time and energy this semester.  My final is this Friday and I cannot wait until I don't have to worry about school work any more.  I really want to concentrate on going through my stuff.  Getting rid of things, moving, eating better, going to the gym, and working on the house.  It would also be nice to see friends and feel like I am a part of a community again.  I've been feeling pretty isolated due to school work.  Having to get up early for work and the cold weather haven't exactly motivated me to get out to events.

The day after the party was spent cleaning the house again because Ryan's mom, sister and niece were visiting from Michigan.  Hanging out with other people's families is always a challenge for me.  I feel like I always get shy and tongue tied.  It was fun hanging out with his niece though.  She is 3 and talks non stop.  She doesn't miss anything and asks questions about everything.  When I was in Michigan about 10 mins after we first met she asked me "Why do you have hair on your mouth?  I don't have hair on my mouth."  I felt a little awkward but just told her that it grows there and some people have it and some people don't.  I like that she speaks her mind and asks so many questions.  She was also really fond of my cat, which I really appreciate.  I liked letting her feed TK treats.

I realized while ryan's fam was staying at the house that Titty Kitty appeared to be hunting something in the house.  She does this by staying by one area for hours and trying to get under whatever shelf or furniture is there. I was so afraid that Tk was gonna catch a mouse and run around the house with it in her mouth, which may be frightening for a small child.  Luckily TK found her mouse at night after they had already caught their flight.  She has been on the hunt ever since for more mice.  It is cute when she is up all night patrolling the house.  After she catches her prey she sleeps for days and barely lifts her head up to eat.  Being a mouser is a hard job.

Yesterday I went to NJ to go to the dentist and had dinner with my mom.  We went to Olive Garden.  It is a not so secret guilty favorite of mine.  After dinner we went over to the public library for their book sale.  They get tons of book donations that they sell for fundraising and then at the end of the sale they have a day where you can pay $5 and fill up a brown bag with as many books as will fit.  I used to be a very fast, avid reader and I could plow through books pretty quickly.  Owning books wasn't really a problems since I was always reading.  Now I acquire books as if I read quickly, but it takes me months to finish a book, especially while taking classes.  I have amassed a huge collection of books that I intend to read.  I grew up in a hoarding household and have spent a lot of time resisting the urge to hoard.  The process of getting rid of stuff is mysterious to me, so it is better if I don't bring stuff home.  There are still a few things that I tend to hoard because they are nice to have around and you can "always use."  Books have become one of those things.  I try to keep them organized and I do get rid of some from time to time, but having a wall full of books is comforting to me. I came home with one bag full of books that I am excited to read.  I'll let you know in a few years when/if I get to them all.

Things that have been on my mind lately: moving, birth control options, the depressing state of reproductive justice in PA/the country, and the Obamas.