78701

Thoughts from a different (work) zip code-

I love my job and the people I work with, especially my boss. It's a relief to finally have a job and be able to support myself and my son. It's still so incredible to be downtown with all the great restaurants and action. It's a foodie's paradise here. And I'm a 1/2 block from the trail and lake.
Parker and I usually head down to the water and parks every weekend along with a trip to Whole Foods for veggies and the playscape on the plaza. There is ice skating up there right now! I think I'm going to try it and hopefully Parker can just hold onto me the whole time.
Happy holidays to my friends and family!

Photos are- view from my boss's window at work, Parker on Town Lake at Shoal Creek, playscape on plaza, old trestle over Shoal Creek and another shot of the Whole Foods Plaza.

78704

I have not posted in a LONG time. I'm perm and moved into my own place in Austin. 78704! Keep South Austin even weirder! I love it down here. It's just under 4 miles to work and I found a great new daycare for Parker that's on the way. That saves me about 40 minutes a day and we are both a lot happier when we get home. My apartment is in this cool older community with a green belt running through it and tons of trees. It's like living in a tree house. I can't wait until my balcony area is complete and the weather turns slightly warmer. I see lots of evenings being spent out there on comfy chairs with candles sparkling amidst lush greenery.
The inside is mostly done. I need a few bookcases, a chaise lounge/sofa chair and a possible a bench by the door. But for now, everything's unpacked. It's so awesome to have my own kitchen again! I've been a cooking fool. It feels so nice to be settled after the years of not having my own place. Parker doesn't know what to do with his own room. The cat spends the most time in there, mainly to escape Parker since he's never in there.

I'm grateful that after all these weeks of searching for a job and jumping through hoops to make sure I did everything "right" for the state, I am finally employed. Downtown, no less! Being down there makes me feel...better. I like Round Rock, but it could be anywhere. Downtown is Austin, all weird and funky with high-rises, cowboy boots and bats. With water and green and people moving. Excitement and possibility. The reason I moved here. Now to turn this temp job into a perm position.

Parker Turns Two!

My son is two! Such a big boy.

Live From Austin

So we've been in Austin for a week now. All settled into our temp place. I will always be grateful and thankful for my friends who took me in. Parker's so happy. He loves the dogs and can even call both of them by name. Quite a feat for a kidlet who still isn't talking. He learned how to say banana on the drive down here and we sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star until he fell asleep. He did great and behaved wonderfully despite having his nap cut short and then strapped into a car seat.
Now time to find a job and then a place to live. Only good things ahead for us. Pictures soon. The bluebells are in bloom so poor Parker has to go sit in a field of them and pose like he's having the time of his life.

Things Mom Dresses Me In

Don't you just love it?

Monday Morning

Today I saw K driving down the street as I looked out the window while changing Parker. I knew most likely he had to pass our place on the way to his. But I'd been lucky and not seen him. It upset me a lot more than I realized. In fact, I think it gave me a minor panic attack. I can't wait to move. It's very unsettling to have him living across the street. My arm is still sore to the touch almost a month later. But Parker and I spent some time outside and I feel much better.