On July 31, 2004, we entered into a life partnership in the presence of dear family and friends. Four years later, we reflect upon our vows - marveling at all that has happened since we started dating at age nineteen, and continuing to enjoy the sharing of all of these little moments that, strung together, form our own past and future.

This shot's for my Mom, who's been dying to see my new haircut and the freshly painted walls in my soon-to-be studio. Wam bam badabing! Two birds down.

First, the hair. Love it. I've had short hair ever since I became a francophile and spent a semester skipping along the cobblestone streets near the Loire and whispering je t'aime to my then-new love between sips of red wine. That same love of mine still has a preference for short hair (or perhaps it just reminds him of being twenty in France?) Anyway, I'm happy happy. It's so easy. I'm also sodium laureth sulfate and other creepy chemical-free. For the past few weeks I've been using baking soda and apple cider vinegar to wash and condition my hair, an idea I found via Amy. Even Patrick is converted. And really, if Patrick drank the Kool-Aid, anyone can. :)

Second, the studio color. Love that, too. We rode our bikes to Home Depot (for lack of a good ol', family owned hardware store within biking distance) and I stood in front of the wall of paint chips. I couldn't find any of the low- or non-toxic brands that you all so highly recommended, and we're really trying not to use the car, so I allowed my hand to drift to this color, drawn by magnetic attraction. It's almost a Mexican aqua, but not quite. It's wasn't until downloaded this picture and had a good look at it that I realized my subconscious had other motives for loving this color. Recognize it? It's none other than Behr's Sweet Rhapsody, the same color that bedecks the walls of Amanda's studio. Ha! Amanda has clearly set the standard for the perfect studio color! Now to finishing the shelving and that huge table ... the studio should be in working order in a few days time.

That is, if I don't get stuck in this insanely comfortable puff chair that arrived yesterday as a gift from my parents. Holy cow. All I want to do is read.

We're here ... physically and mentally! While our move was technically complete about a week and a half ago, we were still living in that post-move euphoria/box squalor until a few days back. What an interesting stage that is, the we're here and the hardest part is over so let's relax, but wait ... we're still living in total chaos, so let's not sleep until everything is livable stage. I'm pleased to announce that things are finally livable around here. We have a put-together kitchen. A music room. A living room. A bedroom (even if our mattress is on the floor.) My studio is freshly painted and waiting the refinishing of a nine foot-long work table. There's no sewing machine yet, but that will soon change. (Can you see me jumping up and down in gleeful anticipation?)

Thank you for all of your well wishing and positive thoughts sent our way as we completed this epic journey. It went as well as it could have gone, with no glitches to speak of, no stories that are only funny in retrospect. The cats are here and very pleased with their screened-in porch. All of our things arrived, and we were able to furnish our house cheaply with second-hand treasures. We quickly found a pair of bicycles which signal a lifestyle change and a turn away from our own dependence on fossil fuels. Things are looking bright and green from this new perspective.

I'll leave you with my current theme song for this Monday morning. Gotta love that Nina Simone. Wishing you a lovely day, wherever you are.

So I've been a bit busy, as my absence must have indicated. All of the fabric scraps are stuffed in blenders and mugs. We're eating out because all of the kitchenware has been cozied in to boxes for a little rest. Tomorrow morning's shower will be curtain-less and comical, I imagine.

The past week and a half has been saturated with social gatherings and goodbyes. (Um, as I write this, the desk has been taken out from under me.) Mexicans are really good at goodbyes, a talent that I'm not sure I possess.

I meant to write a tad more, but a last walk with my love to our isolated lookout is beckoning. Tomorrow morning we fly to Durham with two cats in bags. I'm sure they'll love that, right cats? Here's to hoping they'll love anything when on their "happy pills." We're in Durham, sleeping and eating on the floor for two days, then we fly back to Chihuahua with NC license plates in tote, attach them to our Toyota, fill it up, then drive to El Paso to pick up the other half of our storage, rent a Penske truck with a car trailer, and drive all the way to Durham. Wish us luck, good weather, and a lot of mental stamina!

I'll be back here in two or three weeks, after we're settled!