I miss writing.

That’s not completely true. I miss writing for me. I write all the time now, for work. And I love it. But ever since I started my new job in January, I haven’t had the urge or mental energy for other writing-type things. My blogging motivation was gone completely. But the last few weeks, I’ve been feeling the tug to come back. I don’t know if it’ll last. I don’t know if it’ll be anything like it used to be. It doesn’t really matter — this space is mine, for me, and that’s the best thing about it.

So what’s happened in the last seven months? So much. The girl graduated college (magna cum laude!), got married, and moved from Colorado to Alabama.

The boy moved out. He’s renting a small house with a friend, still working hard on his music. He’s close by, maybe ten minutes away, so we get to see him pretty often still. We’re trying not to be needy or pressure him, and let him have his space to be independent, which I think he needed at first. But it’s been a few months and we’re starting to see him more often lately.

The husband and I are empty nesters now. And guys? I kind of love it. I miss the kids — of course I miss them; they’re delightful, fun people — but there’s also a calmness and peace about it being just the two of us. It was hard for the husband at first but I think he’s starting to appreciate it more.

Duncan had his second TPLO surgery in January and recovery was long and slow, unlike the first time around. He limped for months and we did two extra x-rays just to make sure it was still healing okay, and it was both times. He’s finally stopped limping and now we’re just trying to build up his stamina for longer walks again. He won’t ever be able to go on the super-long adventures that the husband took him on before, but I think he’ll be happy with shorter ones.

After almost a year of skin issues, Jack went to a doggy dermatologist and was diagnosed with a staph infection. After two rounds of a new, stronger antibiotic, his skin cleared up and he became even happier and bouncier than before. We even had lots of people in the house during the wedding stuff, and he didn’t freak out nearly as much as he used to! It’s very encouraging.

Grace, eh, she’s fine. Thank goodness knock on wood etc etc.

I’ve been knitting. Of course I’ve been knitting. I’ve made socks and hats and cowls and shawls and THREE sweaters (two of the same pattern). I’ve added 51 skeins of yarn to my stash and used up 52.

I’ve read 36 books this year, which is already four more than I read all of last year. I’m being more intentional about making time to read and picking up a book instead of my phone. It started as just trying to clear out my To-Be-Read shelves a little bit, but I’m enjoying it. I’ve got more new plant babies than I can count and I’m still obsessed with LEGO and it’s just super fun to have all these things in my life that bring me joy.

It’s also super fun to have a work environment that brings me joy. I don’t know that I have ever felt so at-home and comfortable in a job before. My teammates are funny and quirky, my boss is supportive and intuitive, and almost everyone I’ve met at the company is friendly and helpful. I get paid to talk to people and write several articles a month, and yeah it’s about banking so I don’t always understand it and it’s not sexy, but I’m learning about people and what they’re doing and what they’re passionate about. I mean, they’re asking me to write all the time, and they LIKE what I do write! So weird! It’s just kind of almost perfect, as much as a job can be.

So there you go. Maybe soon I’ll be back and tell you about my current WIPs! Thanks for listening, friends.