Changing Tastes... we hope

Another example of my photog skillz: I didn't even bother moving our Christmas napkins or my antibiotics before snapping this beaut'

But, you get the point, right? This picture screams: We're going vegan!!!!

Before you call some sort of police force to have Drew taken away from me, we're just trying it for a month. And what better month than the one where we have tomatoes coming out of our ears??

Anyone who knows us can tell you that Drew and I aren't the healthiest eaters. We normally grocery shop once a month because that's how often Drew gets paid which prompts questions form our friends like "What do you do about fresh fruits and veggies?" To which I respond "We eat a lot of Dorito's."

This isn't going to become the norm for us but we are definitely looking forward to our tastes changing this month and looking at other options than animal products to get our protein. We were inspired by this documentary. And we have a whole bunch of others in our Netflix queue to watch as we battle through this month.

Don't worry, I won't be journaling my every meal. Mostly because there probably won't be tons of variation: peanut butter, tomatoes, corn, apples, repeat.

I can just tell you cheese will be the thing I miss in all this, not meat, milk or eggs. Any vegan recipes you'd like to share would be greatly appreciated.

Look for a post on about Saturday where I say "Nevermind, Drew made deer jerky."

Retired at 24

Our garden has grown into quite the beautiful creature lately. We have had lots o' lettuce and spinach and soon will have tomatoes. We've taken a lot more pains this year and water it and tend to it like real farmers. And I must admit I'm pretty proud when people come over and brag on it.

Where our garden is located now we can see it from our front porch or our patio. So, we can admire it anytime we spend time outdoors. Even when we spend time in our state-of-the-art Olympic size pool like we did yesterday.

He built a fire in 90 degree weather to keep the gnats off of him.

This weekend I've also been working on our guest room, sprucing it up a bit in anticipation of having company soon.

I love our house and it is so nice to have all of this extra indoor and outdoor space. But I can't help but wonder if we've got it backwards. We're only 24 and we aren't ready for a family anytime soon. I think we got this house in the hopes of lots of company which does happen occasionally but not a lot. Everyone is busy, like us and it's hard to get away.

Our lease here ends next year around the time I'll be finishing my Master's and around the time most of our friends will be leaving. So, some big changes are in store for us. Namely: downsizing and relocating.

I do promise to make the most of this place for the next year and I hope to have a place just like it someday to call our own but we aren't there yet. We need to make sure we aren't retired at 24. So if you want to experience life here on Bishop, make plans for the next 10-12 months, I've got your room ready! And these 2 are lots of fun to hang with.

A Christmas Conundrum

We did Christmas differently this year. Something akin to a John Grisham novel I read years ago. We still put up the tree, had holiday parties and ate enough to carry us into the new year. But we ditched the gifts.

I remember being little and my mom always saying she did not like to receive gifts and as a child I found that very strange. But now I totally get it. It's a lot of pressure to open up a gift in front of the buyer, especially when you have a terrible poker face like me. I was never very dramatic as a child and often came across ungrateful in the gift reaction department.

And even the lack of gift giving wasn't a wholehearted effort. We still bought Chinese Christmas gifts for 3 different parties. But buy and in large we didn't buy gifts. This isn't a completely new thing for us. Drew and I have never done gifts for one another. So we just took it to the next level. No gifts from us and no gifts to us.

The response from our families was varied. From silence, to the rolling of eyes to all out unwillingness to accept the fact that Meg and Drew were scrooges this year. Part of it was money. We didn't really have extra money for tons of gifts this year.

But bigger than that was the realization of how little the two of us need. Christmas is my favorite time of year and not having gifts was not going to affect how excited I am to go home and drink punch until my teeth are red and eat my weight in sausage balls.

The realization was not only about us and how much crap we already have but also the realization of who is really in need. I did find myself trying to rationalize buying my 13 year old brother something, because "he's still a kid." But let's face it, homeboy didn't need anything. The money we put aside each month as giving money we used to give to others this holiday season.

I'm not writing to pat ourselves on the back or condemn those of you who got some awesome new gifts, (I know there are some of you out there who are 26 years old and with child who just love to unwrap gifts and I get it) but I'm writing to inspire. To inform you that it's okay to speak up and say we want to do things differently. You can inspire others, I know many of my family members who came to me and said they were so grateful to be able to give to others this year. And frankly, it's okay to feel guilty. Because for the last few Christmases as I sat in a room full of adults (mostly) opening gifts I couldn't help but think the whole thing was ridiculous. I wonder how my heart will feel when we have little ones but my hope is that it's something similar to this: A Holy Experience

That particular blog post changed my view on so much and I'm so grateful that it's become a part of us.

And in the interest of full disclosure I did receive a beautiful handmade scarf. Along with the most anxiety-ridden gift ever: a sewing machine. (which I asked my grandmother if I could return to her if I can't figure it out).

To which she replied: "well if you take it up there thinking you can't do nothin' with it then I guess you won't." Prayers appreciated as I attempt to make her not embarrassed of me proud.

I realize I use this picture a lot but it just sums so much up. And that cute little bird is just a sangin'

Changes

Change is upon us here in the Moore-Hubbard household. Drew is graduating college in a few short weeks, we are moving into a new place next week, and as if that wasn't enough I've accepted a short term job in Washington D.C. that begins in 4 weeks. We are running around like chickens with our heads cut off. I have been packing up boxes like it's my job (I suppose it sort of is). Drew is finishing up all of his papers and projects (thank God I will never have to hear about that robot again!) and he's also getting into car accidents (okay just one) and making us (at least for a while) a one car household....and by car I mean Drew's truck which I can neither drive nor park so I'm hoping my Cobalt can bounce back. *fingers crossed*

It really is sinful how much stuff we have acquired in less than a year. We are in a one bedroom apartment, where have we been putting all of this stuff? I guess it's true, the more room you have...the more crap you acquire. I have not even begun to pack up our kitchen or bedroom. I'm a little disgusted with myself right now. Why do two people need this much stuff? I suppose the answer is we don't need it but rather we want it.  It never seemed like we had this much until the task of packing it all up fell to me, now I'm ready to take about half of these boxes to Goodwill!

As excited as I am for our new house I am going to miss this place. This was our first place as husband and wife and I still love it. We definitely are not moving for ourselves but rather to have room for company. If this apartment were in Wise County and we never had company we would stay in it for the next 5 years. It has been the perfect first place for us and I will be so sad to leave it.

Also, the mommy in me is freaking out a little bit about how all of this will affect Ike. Yes he is just a dog but that makes it harder. I can't explain to him what is happening and that he will have his own yard. And I know the poor little guy will miss all of his doggy friends here at the apartment. I know I sound like a freak but I hope he adjusts well. I'm also 100% sure he will not like his new shocking collar he will have to wear because we are so close to the road in our new place.

I can't wait to post pictures of the new place and I will give you all and update of my new job soon! I'm excited for the changes but still a little sad.