It's been almost 2 years since I last blogged. Shame on me...considering I have loads of people checking my blog everyday and wondering when I will write again! Just kidding...no one has missed me on here! But, we are starting a new chapter of our lives, a little over 3 hours from where we've spent the majority of the last 10 or so years and now we are more than a quick hop-and-a-skip from our parents and friends, so I figured it was a good time to revive the blogging so everyone can keep up with all the loads of fun we are having...or right now, just the loads of unpacking we are doing!

For those family members and long, lost friends who need a recap of the last 2 years, here it is: In the last 2 years, Matt had a successful surgery on his back for a herniated disc and is doing fine now; Juliette has grown, and grown some more, learned lots of new things, will be 3 at the end of August and is STILL not potty trained (I'm sure you'll hear more on this in the days to come); I started a monogramming business: www.melissasmonogrammingonline.com and earlier this year lost my job of six years in the publishing industry to company downsizing and relocation, so I am currently going on my 3rd month of job hunting. After 5 years of rejections, Matt was finally accepted to 4 Ph.D. programs in English at Kent State in Ohio, University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Middle Tennessee State University in Nashville and University of Louisiana Lafayette. Only one school was able to offer him funding (which means they pay his tuition and give him a monthly stipend for teaching 2 classes a semester) and that was ULL. Almost 2 weeks ago we moved to Cajun Country and that brings everyone up to date!

We are living in a large house that was built in the 30s and are loving it so far. We have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, kitchen, separate dining room, tons of storage space and a huge enclosed sun room that runs the entire length of the house, which is serving three purposes: my sewing/craft room; Matt's guitar room; and a 2nd living area. Out of all of those rooms, about half are unpacked and decorated, so I still have lots to do. Check back tomorrow and the rest of this week for the tour of our new home, as I will load pictures and show you around as soon as I get a new battery for my camera and find the cord I need to download the pictures to the computer.

So, not to leave you empty handed, here is my list so far of the Pros and Cons of Cajun Country and our new home:

Pro - Super big house holds ALL our stuff and we still have empty drawers and cabinets!
Con - We don't have a disposal anymore, but thankfully neither of us have to be the dishwasher.
Pro - Lafayette has a recycling system with a separate can to use just for those items.
Con - We no longer have a privacy fence which means I will not be donning a swimsuit to play in the kiddie pool with Juliette. :)
Pro - SUPER Target. Do I have to say more?
Con - Apparently the Grand Theatre thinks their facilities and movies are far superior than anyone elses and changes $8.50 per person.
Pro - Three and under are free at the Grand Theatre, unlike at Tinseltown.
Con - Moving is horrible on the sleep habits of a 2 year old. Juliette has yet to go to sleep before 11:30 every night.
Pro - Chuck-E-Cheese is right here in town. Quite possibly this will later turn into a Con after a handful of trips to see the rat.
Con - I have yet to find a job in this Cajun Country that I am qualified for that pays enough. Mostly all the available jobs are in the medical field.
Pro - There are Starbucks EVERYWHERE. On the way to Target (which you know has one in it), at one intersection, I am within a few blocks of 3 freestanding ones and 2 in-store ones. So far, I've only given in to the urge for a Mocha Frappicino once.
Con - Where are all the donut shops?? Apparently, no one eats them here!
Pro - There are plenty of pizza places, though! This is more so a pro for Matt and Juliette since they are the resident pizza lovers, but I am fascinated at the amount of them. I've yet to count, but it's definitely in the double digits and I'm not talking about chains either. Matt and I have decided that Thursday nights will be Pizza Night and we are going to sample pizza from a different, local pizza place each Thursday to see what we like the best.
Con - It's going to cost me a lot more to get my hair cut and highlighted now! :(
Pro - Albertson's Butcher Deli -- now I don't have to buy 2 lbs of chicken at $7 if I only want 1 lb and then I only have to pay $3!
Con - I can't find an eggplant colored bed skirt in this town! Or at least in the 4 block radius of Wal-mart and Target.
Pro - Because we haven't met anyone, I can freely go to the store without make-up on and know without a shadow of a doubt that I will not run into someone I know.

OK...I suppose that is enough for now! Happy Monday everyone and check back tomorrow afternoon for some pics of the house!

Melissa