My husband is working on getting a new job, one that would have him home every evening and weekend, with paid vacations and benefits, and I am giddy at the idea. I felt reluctant to encourage him to seek out a new position, because I know that he loves what he does and felt that if he was doing something that was less than thrilling -- but, we're both ready for a change and I feel very strongly that our productivity and happiness depends on seeing each other more, at least for the time being.

On the other hand, having him around more will be a huge adjustment. We both acknowledge that we get lonely, and that being healthy and motivated is easier when you have a partner to do it with, but at the same time, we're both very used to being alone when we want to be. But, marriage is about finding balance. And we'll find it.

So, it's now August 26. According to my calendar, we plan to move in 248 days. That seems like a really long time, but we all know that the older you get, the faster time moves.

I've been feeling dissatisfied with life, in general, lately. My job is beginning to annoy me, and I wake up more mornings than I'd like to dreading my workday. I'm more than disgruntled with the fact that I haven't gotten any sort of raise in 2 years, and that my job becomes increasingly stressful and filled with things that are, in fact, not my job. For a while, I was sympathetic to the fact that it's a non-profit, struggling economy, etc...so, I was okay with working for less than I'm worth. But, lately, it's just not working for me. Hopefully that will change soon.

Life at the James house is good -- stressful, as I do not spend nearly enough time with my husband, which puts strain on us. It's ironic that we all we both want is for the other to be happy and to have what they want, but that's what causes us to argue. But, hopefully, that will change soon, too. It would be magical to have a partner who is awake and home when I am. Magical.

There are a lot of things that I wish for: a budget with much fewer "to be paid" rows, a dog that liked kids and didn't growl at strangers, a job that I love and pays me enough to eliminate some of those "to be paid" rows, friends that lived down the street instead of across the country --- but, at the end of the day, I've got very little to complain about. But I will anyway. :)

It's been a while...

I used to have a Livejournal, but since all things in my life seem to be new lately, I figured I would make a switch here, as well. I haven't journaled in forever -- but it seems to help, and I miss just writing, in general. Until I tap into my more creative energy, my life is about the only subject I feel confident writing about.

I was just mentally going through a list of all the "new" in my life in the past year or so. It includes: a new apartment (2.09), a new husband (2.09), a new middle and last name (2.09), a new email address, a new phone (finally got my beloved BlackBerry), a new phone number, and various other new items which aren't all that important to me. A pretty major list.

I'm optimistic about the new year. I have Scott and I back on our strict budget, as we've got some major plans to make. Some major, expensive plans. First, a move to the Arctic, AKA Minnesota. We are both anxious to leave Phoenix and set up shop in a new city. Predictably fulfilling our roles as The Practical One and The Impulsive One, respectively, I am hesitant to move until we've got oodles of money saved and Scott wanted to move yesterday. Hopefully, we will meet somewhere in the middle that's comfortable for us both. At some point after our move, we'll begin the business of having babies -- which both excites and terrifies me so much that I can't really talk about it. I'll save that topic for another day.

Anyway, it feels good to write. I love reading my old Livejournal, from back in the days when I should've been saving money and preparing for this point in my life, but instead was spending every dime I had to spare on beer, and spending ever moment I had to spare wasting time with my friends and my one big, long, romantic mistake. But, it was a kick in the pants, and I'm glad I documented at least parts of it. Hopefully, when I look back on this one, it will remind me of the great first years of my marriage, when it was just Scott and I.

Speaking of my marriage, it's almost been a year. It feels like it was just a few months ago that I was getting back to work and living through the hell that was changing my name, professionally. (It took weeks to get my email address changed, and then all my saved stuff back from when I was loneill, instead of ljames). Married life is exactly what I expected it to be, which is a good thing. I'm a lucky lady to be Mrs. James. On a side note: it's still 6 weeks away, but I am soooooooooo excited for our anniversary dinner. Scott's chef is going to personally cook us a meal, and we'll not know what we're having until it's put in front of us. But, we can be assured that it will be delicious, and that there will probably be foie gras involved.

Another side note about being married (and attached to Scott James, in general): it has made me a much more adventurous and snobby eater. I love to watch my husband cook and listen to him talk about food and his job. And I love how well-fed I am.

I probably should get back to work. My business cards should be changed to read: Lindsey James, Time Thief -- because that's really what I'm best at.