an update in list form

1. On Wednesday, we checked out a house on Bull Run Mountain. We did this so we could continue telling ourselves that we really did just want to rent for now. We were expecting this house to be in poor shape on the inside for some reason. Well, it wasn’t. It was in great shape, and it was unbelievably cute and awesome. It’s closer to the base of the mountain, but this is good because we like to go grocery shopping with our tandem and we decided that riding up to the top of the mountain would pretty much kill that activity. More info on the house at a later date (like when we actually own it).

2. On Thursday, I had an interview and was offered the job! Yea! I’ll be a part-time (with the eventual possibility of full-time) speech-language pathologist in a community hospital in Northern Virginia. I’ll be working inpatient and outpatient, peds and adults, maybe even NICU! I’m very excited about this job! Did I mention that I am really excited?!

3. On Thursday night we went to a seafood shack (Blue Ridge Seafood) in Gainesville, VA to celebrate everything. I realized (re-realized?) as I was chowing down on our steamed mussels that I am very happy when I’m on the east coast, even when inland a bit. While VA may not be “home” like MA, I think there is a good chance it can become “home” (especially with our future mountain house!). Actually, I was born in VA, so it will be kind of nice to have “home” be close to where I was born.

4. Saturday we raced at the first Spring Fling race of the season in Lawrence, KS. We were pressed for time so we just did one race a piece. I raced in the Women’s 3/4 race. I pushed it too hard at the beginning and blew up. I took 4th out of six starters. I was trying to be too aggressive in not being at the end of the paceline, but I should have just sucked wheel. Plus, I wasted a lot of energy braking through corners. Typically I’m pretty good about not braking through corners, but this time I just couldn’t get myself setup right. I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with 1st and 2nd place for the whole race, so I should have made it so that I could have worked with the girl who took 3rd. Oh well. I had fun and got a nice hard ride in.

5. Sunday, we went for a wonderful, warm sunny tandem ride up Blue River Road. I don’t remember how long we were out. It wasn’t really long because we had to be back at the house by a certain time, but it was long enough to feel the good effects of the sun. Oh yeah, it was shorts and short-sleeve jersey weather for most of the weekend!

6. Sunday, put an offer in on the house.

7. Monday, received counteroffer.

That’s all I have for now. I leave for sunny Mexico tomorrow for a nice vacation with Mom. It would be nice if Zach was coming along, but I’m glad to be able to spend some quality time with Mom. We’e going to do a snorkeling tour, and I am going to test out my Olympus 790SW waterproof camera. I’ll be sure to post photos!