[instrumental]

We have moved and gotten (most of the way) settled into our house. It's an older house with its share of issues to deal with, but I don't think we could have found anything better for us (short of just designing it ourselves). We still have a decent list of things to do...
Now:
Finish installing gutters (we have about 50 ft or so left to hang...out of just over 200).
Finish rain barrels (trash cans that I cut holes and added plumbing bits to, just need to install mosquito nets over the openings to limit that issue).
Get rid of rats in the attic (we thought this wouldn't be an issue as all evidence of rats was fairly old, but shortly after we moved in, we started hearing things =\)
Get preventative termite treatment (expensive, but dealing with termites later is substantially more expensive).

Later:
Install an exhaust fan in the bathrooms (I should be able to do this, probably in the winter when the attic is more reasonable)
Install more insulation in the attic (again, when the attic is more reasonable)
Install new windows (I probably won't be doing this on my own, but I think it might be within my capabilities...might have a few of the tougher ones done so I can watch, then decide if I can do it or not...new windows that can open [current ones are stuck due to paint + foundation shifts] will also be much better for the electricity use as well as reduce the amount of noise).
Close off the exterior door in the bedroom and replace with a wall (we don't use the door, so why have it? Also it lets in a fair amount of noise)
Install a new water heater (tankless? This is something we just know will be done eventually...not really planning it)
Install new A/C (probably wait until this one goes out or we can comfortably afford it one winter)
Insulate the crawl space? I've read that this is fairly easy (I'm very comfortable under there as it is, and it will make the house more comfortable in the winter)
Build a workbench/organize the garage.

The house backs up to Mopac and the train tracks that run along it, but the noise really doesn't bother us too much...after the first couple of nights, at least. The noise actually reminds me of when my family used to go to the beach -- I would fall asleep in the living room and my grandmother would open the sliding door the next morning and I would wake up to the sound of the waves.

It's kind of neat, though. I feel like Erin and I are just much more established and maybe a bit more "grown up" now. Which brings me to another point...I'm not sure that Erin and I will ever get married. Some of the reason, I guess, is just "fairness" issues -- if we can't enjoy this benefit or that right because we are unmarried, then it is probably that gay folks in the same situation can't enjoy those same benefits or rights. Additionally, I think we both see marriage as a bit of an outdated concept.

I think I had more steam for this entry before I started, but I got distracted during my lunch and kind of forgot about it...