So, my original vision for this blog didn’t really include us posting about once a quarter year, so my apologies that Jess and I don’t write more often. I hope you all can find it in your hearts to forgive us. (Notice: the previous line included a healthy dose of sarcasm.)

It’s fall, the leaves on the trees are turning and falling, the Central Valley fog has been hanging around, the weather has been cool, and sometimes cold. I must say, I am enjoying this Northern California weather a bit more than what you SoCal people get. I know that many of you would most likely disagree with that sentiment, but I’m fine with that . Our heater, like our air conditioner, isn’t really the best, but hey, what else are blankets and sweaters for? As a result of this, our cats have been what’s most likely the cuddliest they have ever been (no doubt solely as a survival mechanism, they think they are so sneaky).

We had a really great time seeing most of you Thanksgiving weekend, it’s unfortunate that we can’t see each of you more often, but that’s how things go I guess. And most of you are probably thinking, “Well then what did you think was going to happen after moving even further away than you already were?” and all I can say is ¯\_(o.0)_/¯

Anyways… onto the meat of why you read this: info on the glamorous lives and Mike and Jess Small!!!!

Most of you know the majority of happenings up and coming for us from our conversations had over Thanksgiving weekend, but I thought I’d fill in those who either we weren’t able to see, or maybe don’t remember what we said, for various reasons. Jess, alas, is not going to start the Masters at Sacramento State University due to the irresponsibility of not one, but two college professors that did not provide Jess with her letter of recommendation on time. The nerve of educators, so irresponsible sometimes! (Love you, Mom!) So Jess will just be working and things of that sort until the fall.

I am going to be taking a class or two at the American River College, which is a local community college, starting in January. I’m getting general units out of the way at a community college and then plan on getting into the Viticulture & Enology program at UC Davis. For those that are unsure: Viticulture is the study of growing grape vines and Enology is the science of fermenting grapes to make wine. I’m really excited about this program and this is really the first subject that I’ve come across that has given me a desire to go back to school and spend all of that money. Yay debt!!

We’re still somewhat lacking in the area of friends up here in Sacramento, and that has taken its toll in some ways. So if you think of us, I would say that that is one area that Jess and I could really use your prayers and/or well wishes.

On another note, Jess and I have been talking about taking up fishing since the American river is just a few miles from us and there are other areas close by as well, and my good friend Randy, who lives in San Francisco has hooked us up with a fly rod and reel. So I’ve gotten a few books from the library on fly fishing and have been practicing my cast and such and Jess is looking to acquire a regular spin reel and rod, so I have to say that we’re both pretty excited about starting to fish up here. It’s something that both us have always wanted to do more of and it would be a shame to not take advantage of our convenient surroundings.

So…. that’s about it, I guess. Hope you all are doing well, and we hope to see you all soon!

-M :/

Why Sacramento, you ask? It wasn’t an arbitrary decision, I promise. We both want to go back to school, and paying out-of-state fees isn’t our favored way of wasting money. So we wanted to stay in CA, but live in a place where the rent is cheaper and where there are also good Universities. Since Sacramento possesses those qualities, and I have some family there, we decided to relocate there. On another note, we aren’t going to miss the beaches or the “temperate” weather here in San Diego: we never go to the beach, and last summer our apartment was so hot (what with San Diegans “not needing” A/C) that we want to move before the real summer heat kicks in. Yes, it is ironic that we are moving somewhere that the summers are hotter, but we will actually have A/C in our apartment! What a novelty!

Things are moving along speedily. We put in our 30-day notice and are making a trip to Sacramento this Saturday (5/31) to look at apartments. We plan on making the move with all our belongings and our two cats on June 15th. It will be a long drive, but there will be a bigger apartment with more amenities waiting for us at the end of the trip, and we are excited about the move!

- Jess

M :/