Bedbugs

When we first moved into our apartment, we didn't know that much about bedbugs or what the process was for treating them. And frankly, we were not that concerned because we were not being affected by them. We went on our honeymoon for a wonderful week and a half, only to return home to find a notice under our door. While we did not have bedbugs ourselves, we still had to attend a building meeting concerning them. Because other tenants were having issues with them, it meant that we ALL had an issue to face. We learned that they spread easily and can come from anywhere. The whole building, therefore, had to be treated in order to prevent them from moving to any of the other units. The procedure was extensive and time consuming. And, needless to say, very tiring. But we complied with all the requests of the pest control professionals, which included moving everything three feet away from the walls, emptying our closets, and unplugging all electronics from the walls.

This took place in the fall. It was a very frustrating time, since we couldn't get into the pile to get what we needed all the time. I found myself particularly frustrated during my first commission because my work space was limited, and I was frequently searching for things I needed that were lost somewhere in the pile. After a couple treatments, we were all set to put things back.

We were very slow at this, but eventually we started getting things organized again. During the spring, however, after several months of having no building, bedbug issues anymore, we discovered that we had them in our OWN apartment. To make a long story short, we took care of them right away and did what we could until pest control could come take care of them. We went through the whole treatment process. Again. This time we had it down. We went all out against the stupid things, drying everything on high heat, storing everything in plastic bags, and yes, moving everything to the center of the living room. Again.

It was hard work, but we haven't seen a bedbug in weeks. Woo! Go, A-Team! This was definitely a great way to start off our marriage. With a challenge we had to go through together.

Saturday's Track Trek

This past weekend, we picked up where we left off, continuing south into more of Rocky Hill. We had some time constraints, so we couldn't travel as far as we would have liked. Still, it was a new adventure with new discoveries for us.

Feeling Naked

We took this picture on our honeymoon.

Before we got married, I never wore rings. Or any jewelry, really. Not my thing, I guess. It took me quite a while to get used to wearing my wedding band. I used to fidget with it all the time. Sometimes I would even take it off to do dishes because it was so uncomfortable.

Now, I don't really notice anymore. In fact, a couple weeks ago we were playing Red Rover at youth ministry (we are volunteer leaders for the senior high at our church), and I had to take my ring off for it. It was the first time in a while. My hand felt so naked without it! I kept rubbing my fingers together in discomfort. It just didn't feel right. I was relieved to finally put it back on at the end of the game.

Southbound

Last weekend, we continued our railroad expedition, this time heading south on the tracks. We crossed the town line into Rocky Hill, which was exciting for both of us. It meant we were making real progress. We got to see some very cool things! Things that you never see from the road. Things you would never think to look for.

We finally came across on of those old manual track switches. It was old and rusty and marvelous.

There is usually significant walking distance between roads, and so whenever we come to one, it feels like a major checkpoint in the journey. And I am almost sad that all of the "railroad crossing" signs we see along the way don't really have a purpose anymore. They stand alone, obsolete in a modernized society.

We got to pass under a bridge, which was exciting.

The walls underneath were decorated with all kinds of elaborate graffiti. We thought aloud how we could come here for shelter if we were homeless.

We also got to pass over a bridge. We were a little nervous at first, since it was old and hadn't been used in a very long time. And neither of us was in any mood to take a dive into mucky, cold water. Still, we mustered up the courage to cross it and made it to the other side, dry and in one piece.

After the bridge, we crossed another road, which led us to the final section of track for the day's journey. This tree, although it had fallen, was still budding!

We must have walked about a mile on this stretch of track. It was beautiful, with trees on either side and absent of any road noise. It was peaceful and lovely.

We eventually walked parallel to a small river. My favorite part about water is its reflective quality.

This color change in the path, as well as the log on the tracks, marked the end of our weekend walk. We turned around and walked the whole distance again, this time feeling a little braver and a little more satisfied.

A New Road Ahead

We began our journey together on October 3rd, 2009. That was our wedding day. I suppose you could say the journey began when I said yes to Adam asking me out about four years ago, but there's really nothing quite like being married. We are no longer two separate people in a relationship, for now we are one flesh, unified by the covenant of marriage. And so that is why I say our journey began only months ago. That is when we finally knew that this life together was ours to explore fully and without reserve.

We wanted to start this blog some time ago, but, as the title illustrates, we have had several "lemons" to suck on since marriage began. Not because of marriage, no. We've just found ourselves in various situations since then that we've had to deal with, like unpacking only to repack, only to unpack again, all in the first several weeks of marriage. I will not recount all the stories or details here, of course. Instead, I will move ahead to where we are currently.

With the arrival of warmer weather, Adam and I began to walk the train tracks that run behind our apartment building. They are old and unused, and so they are perfect for exploring and walking along. We set a goal to explore as much of the railroad as possible. Not only are the tracks fun to walk, but we also get exercise by doing so. And the best part is that we get to do it together, enjoying each other's company.

These are a couple photos from the second day we walked. We will hopefully be able to document more of our railroad adventure as time goes on.