There has been a lag since the last post and that is because our time here in Austin has been full of ups and downs. We had thoughts that this area just isn't going to work for us, and we need to make a new move. Things have settled down and we are beginning to find the joy in being in a new town and have started branching out from our RV resort. So this post is about our take on Austin up until this point. For starters the big downer was my job. Things did not go as planned from the beginning, and was actually told to "go home", they couldn't use me. Having spent so much time getting all of my certifications in order, I thought that I had everything that a job could want in a Labor and Delivery nurse. Apparently, my advanced certification was too much for this hospital, and they wanted only intermediate, but didn't have a class for 2 weeks. Needless to say, I have my "intermediate" certification, but have had a whirlwind orientation due to the mess-up. Things have settled down work wise, and I am finding the groove of the hospital, staff and patient population. Thank goodness! I would hate to think that a job/hospital would send our whole family packing! Although, we are pretty mobile, it is still unsettling how quickly things can go south.
And, South we are! Let's talk about this weather in Austin....."it's never like this". We have heard this saying just about everyplace we have been! (Hot weather in Salem,OR;cold winters living in Sparks, NV) Does the crazy weather follow us? Most people we talked to said that it is unusual for it to be humid in Austin. Even without the threat of rain, it was humid! And with the humidity, comes the bugs.....oh, those bugs, they're bigger in Texas! Jason is the lucky one that is the go-to guy for the pesky critters. He's left with welts and scratchy bites all over his feet, legs and arms. We are stocking up on the benadryl creme for him! We have experienced some great thunder and lightening storms so far. One thunderous boom even set off our truck alarm at midnight (I thought it was the neighbors, so I ignored it...whoops!). We are thankful that we are on high ground and are not having to deal with mud pits or threats of flooding. But let me tell you, when it (rain) comes down it is deafening (especially in a metal box)....and drenching!
Austin has also made us appreciate our jobs in the past, and how close we were. Driving to work takes 30-45 min with traffic. All I think about is my wasted time spent seeing the same thing everday I go to work. Austin is a much bigger city than we thought. It takes us 1/2 hour to get pretty much anywhere....
OK, OK, OK! Enough! We have turned a new page on our Austin chapter book, as seen in the photos below.....
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| Yum, Sweet Tea and Rum! |
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| Skateboard swing |
The time here is flying, we've been here 5 weeks already! The boys are getting to experience some alone time from one another. While one flies to LA to visit with Jason's mom, the other goes to Jason's grandmothers house, who lives 4.5 hours away. Its a nice break for them as well as us. Homeschooling is still going well, the 1st quarter grades our out and they are doing as well if not a bit better than when they were in city schools. Go Jason! Andre is learning to shoot a bow and arrow, and getting pretty good. The boys are also enjoying having a new skate park to ride.
Our explorations have taken us to Marble Falls (bust!), McKinney Falls (bust!), South Congress (yeah!), 6th street bar scene (wow-wish I was younger w/o kids), Stubbs restaurant and music venue (woohoo), San Antonio riverwalk (very cool), our friends Anne&Andres (good times!). We have explored some hiking areas/trails all of which are very dog friendly (Elwood is especially pleased!). Food, yes we've explored the food scene. My red meat meter is going up! Our favorite BBQ so far has been Rudy's, but we haven't been to the top ones yet. Jason found his new favorite mexican restaurant and Andre is tasting his way through burgers and rootbeers. (After looking at pictures, I guess I'm finding the drinks that go along with the food?!)
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| Stubbs music concert:Michael Franti |
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| A "Dos-a-rita" |
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| San Antonio Riverwalk...a beautiful day |
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| San Antonio, Tower of Americas, 700 feet up! |
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| Beautiful churches in San Antonio |
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| Andre's Halloween costume |
Family is coming this week and we will be doing much more exploring and a lot more eating for sure! The weather is supposed to hold out while they are here, so it should be "perfect" fall weather for Texas. This next chapter should hold many more adventures and happy times!
