Becoming Locals

     It's been two months since we pulled into Phoenix on a record 100 degree April day. The first month was stressful trying to figure things out but the second month has been pretty dreamy. The weather has been really mild, 85 to 95 degrees most of the time with an almost constant breeze. I've figured out that 100 degrees in Phoenix is much more bearable than 100 degrees in Washington due to the lack of humidity.
     Eli had a rough time at his new job for the first couple of weeks because the pay here is so lousy compared to Washington. However, the 3rd week proved to be an excellent paycheck and we were very grateful.
     May was a struggle financially due to the lack of expected pay and the expensive move. The Uhaul was $1400.00, Gas = $1000 and restocking a new house was another $400. Then there was the cost of me flying back to Washington and flying the girls out here for Mother's Day. As per our usual M.O., we overshot the budget a little (insert sheepish grin).

     I have a couple of Washington friends here who have also transplanted. Elicia who works way too much (poor girl) and Diane who works way too little. She knows how to live! She comes over every Monday to hang out at the pool with Jonah and I. We have fondly dubbed it Funday Monday. It's the best day of the week. She has also become my personal trainer. One Funday Monday she got the bright idea to train for a marathon with ME. I've never been much of a runner but she is very convincing. She comes to my house and makes me run 2 days a week at 5:00 a.m.! I'm amazed at my progress. I didn't think I had it in me.
     Meeting new people isn't always easy but I've learned to seize every opportunity whether it be at the pool, the mailbox or the park. I've met a handful of people right here in our complex and everyone of them is really nice. Irma and her mom, Zina, are from Bosnia. Madi and her mom, Melissa are from California. Annette is from Portland and yesterday I met a realtor named Nicole who was cleaning out one of the condos she has listed for sale. Nicole is from New York. It seems almost no one is from Phoenix. We all have come for the same reasons. Sunshine or work.

     The kids are out of school for the summer already but I did get Jonah enrolled in Kindergarten. I was so happy with the adorable little school. I had been so nervous about the school being big and feeling like we would be lost in a sea of students and parents but instead, it was really small and just 5 blocks from our home. Another big shocker was that school starts on August 11th! I've never heard of a school district starting so early? Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to it and so is Jonah. We'll meet lots of great people through the school. I hope.
     I'm still running the rocker baby clothes website (www.BornCoolBaby.com). I've had it for five years now and it's come a long way but it's still more of a supplement than an income. Most of my sales are through Amazon.com and a small amount come directly through the site. I'm thinking of opening a store at an indoor Swap Meet in Goodyear. Indoor Swap Meets are kind of a big deal here and it would allow me a perfect schedule. They are only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'm currently working on building up plenty of stock, adding more products and searching Craigslist for a few fixtures. The next step will be to get a second car (Eli and I share the only one we brought here) then we'll rent a booth and give it a shot!
     I miss my girls terribly and can't wait to see them. Jonah and I are heading home for another visit in 2 weeks for Taryn's graduation. Unfortunately, we can't afford for Eli to join us. Poor guy has to keep the dough coming in. I dare say, he likes it here more than I do. He doesn't have much interest in flying to Washington for a visit. Not yet anyway. He has made some friends at work and one couple had us over for a BBQ on Memorial day weekend. I was elated to find that his wife, Amanda was fun and easy to talk to as were all of the other people there. Their house was modest but so, so fun. Jonah and their son, Nate played in the pool for hours while we gabbed and ate fabulous food that was terrible for us.
     We are all feeling very healthy, happy and grateful for everything, the weather, the job, the personal energy we get from the sun and the technology to keep in touch with loved ones.
     Sending sunshine you way and God bless you all!