It's the End of the World as We Know It

As of Monday, my wife will practically disappear. That's right, the first day of PA school is upon us!

So not only is Natalie going to be gone all the time studying, but I actually have to go back to work! Natalie has been earning all the money for us while I went to school for the last year, and since she's going to be studying her little heart out, I have to go back to work. We've been able to take the last few weeks off to spend time together (which has been so nice) but the vacation is officially over as of Monday morning at 9:00. Except I don't have to go to work until Tuesday, but a vacation is not much of a vacation if you're by yourself.

We're trying to save money like everyone else (which is pretty much a forgone conclusion when you're spending $40,000 a year on tuition and books, but every little bit helps, right?), and we decided we're going to spend more time cooking at home instead of eating out. I have (re)discovered that I really enjoy cooking. I have been getting online a lot lately to look for recipes and fun things to cook. I really want to get a barbecue grill for our postage stamp backyard, but I'm having trouble convincing Natalie that it's a good idea (what do you mean we are spending more money than we make, since when does that ever stop anybody? Haven't you heard we're in a recession; we're supposed to go out and buy stuff, that's what being a good American means these days! ... strangely these arguments aren't working). Barbecue or no barbecue, we have cooked every meal this week, with the exception of one totally justifiable lunch at Olive Garden with my mom and sister (Olive Garden soup + salad = little piece of heaven).

I am going on two more business trips this month; I am going to Boston in 2 weeks, and New Jersey the week after. Unfortunately, we may have seen the end of trips where Natalie gets to come along, unless we have some amazingly improbable coincidence where Natalie doesn't have to study for 3 days and I get a trip somewhere interesting. So mostly I just bring home pictures and souvenirs (which is a rather paltry substitute, but at least it's something).