Hold Fast to Summer

It's been a long time since I've blogged!  Aaron and I have been so busy.  Here's what we've been up to

Moving
Aaron bought our townhouse in Cary long before we ever met.  I moved in after the wedding and, let me tell you, it was a total bachelor pad.  After renovating the kitchen and bathroom, we decided to put the house up for rent, mainly to ease my commuter time.  We were able to refinance the mortgage from a 30 year to a 15 year mortgage and get an awesome interest rate.  It took us about 3 weeks to find a renter and then we moved out!  We're excited about being landlords but it is not easy.  The same week that our tenants moved in the AC and dishwasher broke, Murphy's law of course.  Aaron was so quick and responsive and everything is back on track now.

Aaron and I moved to an apartment in Brier Creek which is a part of Raleigh that lines Durham.  It's perfect for me to commute to Duke and the state psychiatric hospital in Butner.  We're farther from downtown, but it's worth it not to have a daily conniption over traffic!  I don't have to take I-40 anymore, it's wonderful!

With my girlfriends on the 4th of July at our new place!

Decorating
Moving means decorating!  I felt so intimidated by decorating our old place - it was dated, Aaron's stuff was everywhere, there was so much to fix.  Our apartment currently is new and the layout is open and easier.  I purchased a couch off of Craiglist and am now shopping for pillows.  I want to do magenta and it's been hard trying to find the color in stores.  Ordering online has been a lot of trial and error.  Also, pillow prices can be more expensive than I ever imagined.  So far my favorite home designer has been Nanette Lepore - seriously, when I got my first pillow by her I sent my others back!  With the wonders of Google I can find some pretty good deals on her things.  I can't wait to show y'all the final reveal.

Magenta living room inspiration

Working at the State Hospital
I started working at the state psychiatric hospital this year (I'm still a Duke resident - year 2 out of 4).  The state hospital is usually reserved for the sickest of the sick patients.  I'm on the adult acute unit and some people have been there for over a year and half.  On the acute unit!  There are a few patients that will probably never leave.  It's definitely a change and a challenge but I'm excited for a new place to serve and learn.

Getting Ready for Wedding Season
Fall wedding season is creeping upon us!  So far we're attending 3 weddings in Nashville, New York and Raleigh.  We've been invited to more but I'm not sure if taking off and traveling for the others will be doable.  We're so excited!  Not too many of my friends are married so I can't wait to have some people join me in the ranks.

My engagement ring with Aaron's band.

I love weddings!

With unpacking slowly but surely getting done, I should be be blogging more often!