What? You mean she's still alive?

Why, yes, I certainly am. Even on this rainy last day of March, I find myself wearing a sunny yellow bell-sleeve jacket just to appear cheery. Truth be told, I am a much more cheerful person these days. Went through a dark time, though, and kept to myself a bit. Why dark? Well, we sold the farm and (gasp!) moved to town! I can hear the collective sigh across the agrarian blog-o-sphere. The self-imposed shame was getting a little heavy and I finally decided to come clean with y'all.

We are building a house in town...

I really love my new job...

I adore my family...

I am healthy (in the "I really don't work out, love my Doritos, but it could be worse" sense)...

I realize that the few of you who actually read my blog for the "farm life" ramblings might be disappointed. Believe me, I miss the farm and my chickens, and the ridiculously large garden, and the creaky old farmhouse, too. But it was time to make a change in my physical and emotional surroundings.

It's gonna be okay - - and I'm not just sayin' that. I believe that God has a plan that even I (the control freak that I am) can't understand. I hope some of you will follow us on our new adventures. Should I change the title of this blog, considering the circumstances? I need to think on that one a little.

For those of you still with me, here's a few photos of the "missing months":

DD came a long way with her cross-country skiing this winter:

DH built this awesome barn for her animals (complete with a hay loft, tack area, feed bunks, removable gate, ladder, etc). He rocked her Christmas. Plus, she got a piano/keyboard and is taking "lessons" from her mama.

Then, I found this gorgeous doll house in the second-hand/antique shop. That clear bucket in the background held tons of dolls and furniture and miniatures. Picked up the whole thing for $30 - - steal of the century!

Easter time came around and while we were dying eggs, we dyed a bit of DD's hair PURPLE. Can you believe it was actually my idea?! See, I've mellowed a bit.

We spent Easter Saturday with my (extended) family in Denver, IA. We had a great time catching up with family I haven't seen in years. This is a photo of me, my mom, and my lil' bro.

And, of course, this is DH and me. He's such a hunk o' man!

And this is the lot where our home is being built.

And after the first week of construction. Actually, we wall forms are up, ready for the concrete, but I didn't get a picture of that.