4 years ago, I would have never believed that Akron would be my absolute favorite place to live. I've bounced all over north east Ohio, and have never felt more home as I do in Akron. It's so laid back AND CLEAN! You would never know it if you're not from here, but they clean the streets regularly and there is so much green space for such a low price. Everything in Cleveland is so developed. When it comes time to settle down and buy a house, I will most definitely be buying in Akron. Sorry, Cleveland. You are temporary.
However, I want to look at it as a new start and I should make the most out of it and this time in our lives. So I'm going to make a summer bucket list. The I want to accomplish over this summer.
1) To grocery shop and meal plan for the week. The whole point of moving to Cleveland is to save money. So I've gotta milk this time for every penny it's worth. I want to start couponing and buying things on sale and meal planning for the week based on my work schedule. I want it so Fiancé will only have to eat fast food when he's craving Popeyes (he craves Popeyes a lot and there's one close to where we are moving). I also want to start buying more organic. I know, you're like, "whaaaaaaa? That's going to be more expensive." Yes, but I'm going to give the tips from this article about eating organically on a budget
2) I'd like to enjoy the local music scene more. There is something about hearing music live that makes you feel like a brand new person. Anything from rock to rap to jazz, I just want to experience it all. It doesn't even have to be someone I know. New music is always the best. This is something fiancé and I have been talking about getting more into for the longest. We've gone to a few shows together and always have a blast!.
3) Sewing my own clothes. I said this was something I was going to start doing, but haven't really gotten around to it. I wanted to see if I could go the whole summer without spending any money on clothes and that I would just make everything (besides thrift stores). I have not bought anything yet, but I also have not sewn anything either. Step one with this plan is to get my craft area up and running. The actual sewing wont be too hard. Especially seeing as I wear all of my clothes loose and flowing. It's the inner hippie in me.
4) Take Sweet Baby Zo Zo more places. I try to get her out of the house as much as possible, especially now that it's TRYING to get warm outside (80 degrees today, 70 tomorrow. Make up your mind, Ohio. Is it spring or summer?) I just want to make sure I do it more regularly. Whether it's the park, zoo, museum or just over to her great grandmother's house to hang out for a bit, baby girl needs to see the world.
5) Saving up some wedding money. Yes, fiancé and I have officially set a date. June 20th, 2014! There will be a lot more details and how to's to follow up on, but right now it's kind of on the hush, but I will tell you it'll be a combination of Jumpping the Broom, Welcome Home, Rosco Jenkins, and lots of old school/southern charm (we're having shrimp and grits)
There are lots of other things I plan on getting my hand into this summer, but I nice short list is realistic for my life right now. We picked up our keys yesterday. The landlord hugged me and told me "welcome to the family". I think this is a sign of good things to come. Now, to get start packing. . .
