Meanwhile, on the Homefront...

With Andrew off to Carlisle and me still home, perhaps you have been wondering what I have been up to.  Perhaps not, but if you have, here's an update on things here in Michigan:

First, and foremost, I have been continuing to work.  My work will grant me twelve weeks off, beginning mid-September, and because I really do love my job and want to return to it after this adventure, I am here working full time.

Also, our tenants moved in.  The first moved in the day after Andrew left, Tuesday 26 August.  The other two moved in on Friday (the 29th).  I am truly grateful for these girls.  They are not in the way, and from everything I've seen, they seem like wonderful women to have in our home and I thank God for guiding our paths to intersect with each other.  They live in the basement, and I stay upstairs.  We're not in each others' way, and yet, there is someone else in the house, and if I hear strange noises as I'm falling asleep, I assume it's them and don't get paranoid.  Further, they seem to enjoy each other, and with cool evenings and open windows, I can hear them chatting and laughing downstairs, which is really nice.

For a few days this week (yesterday, today, and tomorrow), I've been living with some relatives who need an extra pair of hands around the house this week.  I've been cooking, doing dishes, running errands, and helping out, all the while keeping myself from feeling lonely or alone.  It's been a good arrangement.  I'll return home tomorrow night, have one day on Friday for myself and the chores that need to happen at home, and then I'll be back to work again this weekend.

So yes, I'm missing Andrew every day, but we're able to skype a couple days a week, and email on the others.  I'm keeping busy and doing well, and when I feel sad or lonely, I just put on my new hiking boots and go for a walk, telling myself it's okay to feel a little silly wearing hiking boots in a residential neighborhood, because soon enough I'll be wearing them to hike in Great Britain with Andrew, and then having them broken in won't seem silly at all.