What a difference a day makes

The view from my balcony on Sunday:


The view from my balcony on Monday:


Ok, I know I'm the worst blogger in the world, because I haven't been, um, blogging. I wish I could say I've been too busy, but with all the national coverage this snowstorm in nyc has been getting you'd probably figure out that's not true. I've been holed up in my apartment for 3 days, working from home. I only left to drop off drycleaning, which was only across the street, and even that took about 10 minutes just to cross the crazy mountains of snow outside.

So things have been good. My parents included Chris on our family's Christmas card, which was unexpected to say the least. I didn't get to go home for the holidays because I was working, and flights were crazy expensive (and it's just as well that I didn't because I'd probably be stuck in a layover in Denver right now). I did get to skype with them, but it wasn't quite the same- I think I'll try to go back and visit early next year.

Chris and I have been cooking a ton. Mostly cold weather stuff.

He gave me a better Christmas gift than I gave him. Argh.

The thing is, with gay couples that live together, I'm pretty sure that both people get the same amount of use out of any gift item. Example, last year I gave him a North Face jacket that I wear all the time too. He got me a cast iron dutch oven that we both use to cook (and is amazing, for anyone who is debating getting one).

Sorry this post is so late and so boring. I'm really thinking of changing up this blog, maybe freezing this one and moving to tumblr or some new format just to change it up a little... I really loved this format, but I don't feel like I'm in the same place that I was 2 years ago when I started it, and maybe it's time for something completely different...

I love my unemployed boyfriend

So I mentioned a few posts back that Chris recently got laid off, and I haven't really had time to process it, with all the crazy traveling. I think that actually, given that he has his severance to last him the next 2 months, and unemployment benefits, it will actually be really nice.

Him
To tell the truth, he was really stressed at that last job; the hours were bad and he hated it. It's very frustrating to be in a relationship with someone and witness them struggling against an obstacle they can't rise above, so in many ways I think this is gonna be a good move for him.

Also, with the free time, I'm kinda hoping that he'll get back into a regular fitness routine, which had fallen by the wayside with work and stuff. I know it's super shallow of me, but it's nice, right?

Also he's gonna cook for me on Wednesday! Sweet potato gnocchi, a recipe he picked up from his family over thanksgiving break!

Me
His unemployment will also force me to be more cost-conscious with my daily living, which, really, I needed. The recent travel has been AMAZING, but it really has kicked a little dent in my savings. With Chris having more free nights, and being more cost conscious, I'm hoping we will be spending more time cooking and watching movies at home, going to museums (which I get into for free), and going out drinking a little less. With the weather starting to turn cold in NYC, this is a good thing for other reasons.

The gift issue
The one big thing that really gets complicated now is the gift issue. So my 30th birthday is coming up in 2 weeks (ugh), and then Christmas is just 2 weeks after that. I was already really stressed that Chris might get me something super-extravagant for my birthday, and now I'm even moreso. Beyond that, his gift will kinda set the ballpark for Christmas gifts.

What are some good inexpensive ideas for new couples to do gift-wise? We really are not the "make things for each other" crew.