I was going to write "I'm back in the U.S.S.R", and then remembered that I've already titled a post that way before. D'oh!

Good news everyone, I've decided to get back to my blogging roots! I just spent a good chunk of time trying to redo the design of this sad little blog, which quickly reminded me of how frustrating, confusing, and ultimately futile it is to try to make a cute blog for free, which also reminded me that this is one of the reasons I stopped blogging. But you know what, I'm over it. I ain't trying to impress anybody. (Actually I am, I always am, cause I want people to like me always and I can't stand the thought of someone not liking me or thinking anything critical about me or my blog in the slightest). But also, I'm really trying to work on that insecurity, so the ugliness of my blog will be a good exercise in not caring. Typing this introductory paragraph, I was also reminded of how much blogging resembles social interactions, because I've been trying to make such a good first impression again and not say anything that sounds trite or boring, but really it's a losing battle, because how many millions of Mormon wives have at one time or another approached their neglected blogs all repentant like this, writing similar introductory paragraphs apologizing for not blogging in a while, lamenting over the state of disrepair into which their blog has fallen, resolving for all the world to see that they're going to be better about it from now on, etc. My point is, no one is original, and that's another thing I've been actively working on - embracing my lack of originality - so again I think this is a good exercise for that. Also, since I've always been and always will be terrible at keeping in regular contact with loved ones, I figured, hey - why not let's kick this old-school and rely on that old blog of yours to fill people in. It works particularly well because even when I do venture to make a phone call to you, you know you're only going to get the bare minimum from me. And so it is that blogging remains one of the introvert's best tools for interfacing with the world.

I just remembered another way in which blogging resembles social interactions: It's so awkward when you haven't seen each other in a while. So many stupid small talk niceties that must be performed before the substantive subjects can be broached. But like small talk, it's a necessary evil, so until we get back in our groove with deep discussions of the soul*, here are our family's updates:

JJ:

-is currently off at Annual Training, doing whatever it is they do at Annual Training (I promise I do make efforts to be a good wife and actually ask, but the answers don't usually do anything to improve my understanding).

-is keeping busy with work and its inherent weekly business trips, his new role as Commander of the 1-171 Medevac detachment, visits to and from various family members, and playtime with me. Learning to balance all these obligations has been a steep learning curve for him, but very good practice, I'm sure, for all the obligations in life still to come.

-recently finished and thoroughly enjoyed Winds of War and War & Remembrance - twin miniseries' from the 1980's following WWII and the years building up to it.

-scours Zillow and Trulia every chance he gets for that elusive dream home that we may or may not be looking to purchase in the next couple months here.

I:

-am enjoying my new part-time job as a receptionist for Robert Half. Working only four hours a day really is all it's cracked up to be, let me tell you.

-am trying, again, half-heartedly, to get back into running. Mostly so I don't die at the Spartan Super that we're competing in next month.

-have an endless pile of books on my bedside table and articles pulled up on my devices that I keep intending to read - but they usually lose to some form of entertainment or social networking. I'm a hapless victim of my generation, what can I say?

-tried and failed miserably to complete Whole30 last week. All I'll say is, a life without bread is no life at all.


 Meatball:

 -'s new favorite habit is to paw frantically at my bum when I'm standing around doing something and he's bored.

-is no longer a little puppy and looks more and more like a real pug every day, minus the obesity. He's still pretty lean compared to most full-grown pugs.

-loves to chew on hard plastic and is happily gnawing on an old clothes hanger as I write this.

-had so much fun in Boise last month with our nieces and nephews that we babysat for a week. I'm afraid he's quite bored now that it's just him and his sedentary parents again.

We:

-are looking forward to vacationing on the Oregon Coast next month with JJ's family. I'll be making a brief stop in Seattle to see bestie Steph, and Portland to see sister Christie and fam. Can't wait to visit my 'hood again!

-are probably moving soon, as mentioned earlier. The owner of our house is listing it this week, and we'll be getting 30 days notice once someone makes an offer, so we're using this opportunity to look for houses. Jj, wants to stay close, or even buy our current house that we're renting; I would like to move a little bit east if possible.

-have had fun doing sessions at different temples around the valley - all we have left to check out is  Draper, and then we'll start exploring down south - especially the new, beautiful Payson Temple!


Ok, thanks for sticking with me, folks! I will say, I think blogging is very good for my little introvert soul. Like any contemplative type, reading is my inhale and writing is my exhale. When I don't write enough I tend to start composing blogs posts or journal entries in my head, and everything feels a little bit backed up until I release my thoughts on "paper". So even if it takes months for my three followers to notice that I've started blogging again, and even if they're turned off by my ugly blog design and never come back again for updates, this'll be good.



*TBD on that, actually. Reading over my last blog, I'm obviously extremely embarrassed by all the "weighty" topics I attempted to cover, so this blog may actually end up functioning as a more typical, superficial forum for loved ones to come see what we're up to. Haven't decided for sure yet, stay tuned.