Crunchy leaves and crunch time!

When we returned to Drogheda last week, autumn had descended. And with crisp breezes and colourful leaves comes crunch time. It's that back-to-school feeling every adult gets when its time to leave the leisures of summer and start a new fall program (dad, you know what I mean!) to propel yourself into productivity.

Scott and I have a new abode to help our fresh fall start. On October 14, we moved into the residence formerly known as "The Spoon and Stars". Its a hostel-turned-rooming house that is surprisingly cozy. The Drogheda rental market is very competitive and, although the building is up for sale and we may be evicted once again, this is definitely the best place for us right now. After travelling for four weeks, its nice just to have a room of our own.

This year our fall program means looking for jobs. I am applying at call centres where my "American" accent is my secret weapon! Of course since Scott hates the phone and forces me to make all our routine calls, a call centre is out for him. I keep telling him that the sports betting parlours, which are all over Ireland, would be an ideal work environment for anyone going through fantasy football withdrawal, but he won't be tempted. We are both applying to cafes, pubs and shops - something definitely different from the office jobs we had in Canada. We're hoping that the Christmas rush will catapult us into employment quickly and after we woo employers with our Canadian politeness and efficiency they'll keep us on.

Making ourselves at home in our shared kitchen by making an apple crisp with Irish Bramley apples.