Friday, April 12, 2013

Colorado Springs, the beginning of the end

Hubby and I moved to Colorado Springs in July after the most frustrating eight months yet. Kansas City didn't hold much interest or much promise and kitty potty training had failed miserably. We were disappointed from the beginning, and it never seemed to get much better. Being newly weds only made it harder because we were beyond broke and - I think- trying to hold on to the honeymoon phase. We were living off Ramen Noodles and probably had an iron deficiency, so we were hungry and cranky and tired. After plotting in our spare time about making the move, we finally had our perfect opportunity when Aaron was fired on the spot because his boss caught wind of our musings. We didn't actually have any immediate plans to pack up and head out, but all of a sudden, we were moving! We had nothing to stay for. We got rid of pretty much everything we owned, rented the biggest U-haul we could afford, threw the cats in their crate, and we were gone. Luckily we chose the hottest day of the year to head out. By the time we reached Colorado Springs, the A/C barely worked in the truck, and our cats were thoroughly pissed off.

We got moved into the apartment we had randomly chosen from Google Maps (luckily not too bad a choice) in just a few hours because the altitude hadn't started to affect us yet. After a month of sightseeing, I got a job, Aaron got a job, and we thought we were settled in.

For me, it actually took a long time to convince myself that I liked it here. I was still in love with Iowa City, and still am for that matter, so it was hard for anywhere else to compare. It's beautiful in Colorado, no one can deny that, but it wasn't home.

Now, several months later, Aaron and I have purchased our first house together, and I don't need a map to find the grocery store, so I feel like we can actually make it here. Unfortunately, I was laid off at my job, so I'm back on the hunt which makes feeling content hard. We have more company now, though. Some of our friends from Iowa moved in with us, so it feels nice not to be lonely and we don't spend our nights staring at each other anymore. We also adopted two dogs in the span of about a month, so with 2 cats, 2 dogs, our friends' dog, and the 4 of us, we have a full house!

When I'm not applying to jobs or reviving a blog, I can go explore Colorado Springs and all that Mother Nature has to offer. Can't wait for summer - wish it was warmer!
Leo (our friends' dog) and Link, neither of which like Aaron

Ganon, our fuzzy blanket

Zooey, the only girl and the one true Alpha

Neil Patrick Harris, the lazy, tubby, scaredy-cat, and also the best cuddler