It's been more than 6 weeks since Jim quit his job, and almost 3 since Natalie left hers. Time's been flying by as we wrap up our lives here in Phoenix and make plans for the next step. In the midst of all of this commotion, we decided to take a few moments to reflect on what we're most grateful for now.
1. Sleeping in as late as we want to. We love staying up late, so it's great to be able to sleep 'til the double digits every day.
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| Please do not disturb. |
2. Eating more fresh fruits and veggies. We're glad to be eating a healthier diet these days. We cook most of our own meals, eat very little meat or processed foods, and are losing weight. Win-win, if you ask us!
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| So colorful and so tasty! |
3. Rediscovering our passions. This is a biggie. Jim's been mountain biking several days a week and Natalie's broken out the colored pencils and has started drawing again.
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| Ready to shred the gnar. |
4. Exploring new hobbies. Who said old dogs can't learn new tricks? Natalie picked up crochet over the holidays and has enjoyed putting her skills to use by making brooches, scarves, blankets, and hats. Jim has been learning about everything else.
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| Homemade gifts for friends and family. |
5. Living within walking or biking distance of everything we need. After we sold our home, we made a point to find an apartment that's close to a library, park, and grocery stores. It's been a great way to save money on gas and get some exercise!
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| Have basket, will haul groceries. |
6. Reconnecting with family and friends. While we were working, we didn't do a very good job of keeping in touch with the people we love. Now we're back and more chatty than ever!
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| That's good craic! |
7. Playing at the park. The park has become our backyard now that we're living in an apartment. Getting out and seeing the sunshine is good for the soul.
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| Playing ball with Mylo at the park. |
8. Day dreaming about our adventures. We spend a lot of time dreaming about where our travels will lead us. It's fun to fantasize about the all of the amazing things we'll see, the people we'll meet, and the things we'll do along the way.
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| The property we'll be taking care of in Provence. |
9. Taking advantage of our local library. We can't say enough good things about the Phoenix Public Library. They've got an impressive collection of books, eBooks, and DVDs that can be checked out for weeks at a time!
10. Spending more time together. 'Nuff said.
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| A bicycle ride for two. |
