After 4 1/2 days on the road, we finally made it to CA! I will post more about our new town...which I already LOVE!...and pictures of our Little Tiny Baby Pretend House...which is not as bad as I had anticipated!
Thanks for your prayers and good thoughts!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Packin' It Up! Packin' It On Up!
The past few weeks we have been wrapping things up here in Middle TN.
I have tried to say goodbye to various friends, but have been unable to do so. We keep saying, "How about next week?"
This coming Monday is our going away party with our college buds (just struck me funny to refer to them as that since I have been out of college for 15 years!), but we aren't calling it that. It's our "(insert last name) to Davis" party. It'll be the last time we hang out with "our group". Sad, yes.
I have spent my Dillard's gift card on Calphalon frying pans and Clinique make up since there isn't a Dillard's store out there.
Changed over our utilities and changed our address.
Have sold and given away a ton of stuff. Still have a chocolate fountain that has become a thorn in Collin's side. Maybe LBJ will want it?
What do we still have left to do?
Packing, packing, and more packing. We got a pretty good start though. The boy's room and our room are pretty much done. Just have the bathrooms, living room (which is almost done), and the kitchen. Guess that is the advantage of living in a 1000 sq ft. apartment. Have I mentioned yet, in this post, that we are moving into a 594 sq. ft. apartment? Still can not wrap my mind around that...which should be easy since it is so small! The apartment, not my mind!
Tuesday we pick up the truck. We'll start packing it then and finish up on Wednesday. This should seriously be our easiest move yet. I haven't even begun to panic yet!
Thursday...the wagon train is heading West! We are planning to do a total of 9 hours drive time a day. This will be very doable even with all of the stops and breaks we will take. If you have to have kids travel with you, you want our boys. Seriously, they are fantastic! They keep themselves busy without a tv in the car. We like listening to music and books on tape (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit are this trips picks), talking, and telling stories. The boys read, draw, play, you name it! We just make sure to take breaks and stop at playlands or parks. This trip I made special travel binders with cool coloring pages, activities, roadside bingo, ect. I am also planning to give them a special "treat" to unwrap every morning and afternoon. I got things like bubble gum, a coupon for an ice cream cone, silly putty, and collective rocks. One is going to ride with me and the other with Collin in the moving truck. We'll switch periodically.
We should pull into Davis on the 24th or the 25th. I am excited to explore our new town. I think I am going to like it there very much.
We are scheduled to move in on the 26th. I am going to try very hard not to be overwhelmed by the size of our new home. We will make it work and it will work great. Not really planning to spend much time inside anyways. We'll be in Northern California!
So, if you are reading this and you are the praying kind, please pray for safety as we travel across America next week. And maybe throw one in there about us being able to settle in quickly and make friends. :0)
I have tried to say goodbye to various friends, but have been unable to do so. We keep saying, "How about next week?"
This coming Monday is our going away party with our college buds (just struck me funny to refer to them as that since I have been out of college for 15 years!), but we aren't calling it that. It's our "(insert last name) to Davis" party. It'll be the last time we hang out with "our group". Sad, yes.
I have spent my Dillard's gift card on Calphalon frying pans and Clinique make up since there isn't a Dillard's store out there.
Changed over our utilities and changed our address.
Have sold and given away a ton of stuff. Still have a chocolate fountain that has become a thorn in Collin's side. Maybe LBJ will want it?
What do we still have left to do?
Packing, packing, and more packing. We got a pretty good start though. The boy's room and our room are pretty much done. Just have the bathrooms, living room (which is almost done), and the kitchen. Guess that is the advantage of living in a 1000 sq ft. apartment. Have I mentioned yet, in this post, that we are moving into a 594 sq. ft. apartment? Still can not wrap my mind around that...which should be easy since it is so small! The apartment, not my mind!
Tuesday we pick up the truck. We'll start packing it then and finish up on Wednesday. This should seriously be our easiest move yet. I haven't even begun to panic yet!
Thursday...the wagon train is heading West! We are planning to do a total of 9 hours drive time a day. This will be very doable even with all of the stops and breaks we will take. If you have to have kids travel with you, you want our boys. Seriously, they are fantastic! They keep themselves busy without a tv in the car. We like listening to music and books on tape (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit are this trips picks), talking, and telling stories. The boys read, draw, play, you name it! We just make sure to take breaks and stop at playlands or parks. This trip I made special travel binders with cool coloring pages, activities, roadside bingo, ect. I am also planning to give them a special "treat" to unwrap every morning and afternoon. I got things like bubble gum, a coupon for an ice cream cone, silly putty, and collective rocks. One is going to ride with me and the other with Collin in the moving truck. We'll switch periodically.
We should pull into Davis on the 24th or the 25th. I am excited to explore our new town. I think I am going to like it there very much.
We are scheduled to move in on the 26th. I am going to try very hard not to be overwhelmed by the size of our new home. We will make it work and it will work great. Not really planning to spend much time inside anyways. We'll be in Northern California!
So, if you are reading this and you are the praying kind, please pray for safety as we travel across America next week. And maybe throw one in there about us being able to settle in quickly and make friends. :0)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Separated At Birth
***WARNING...DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS SEE THIS!***
Asian Singer
***I have to give Collin full credit for this one! He found the cd in the dumpster at our apartment and instantly thought of Kuato! Way to go, Honey!***
Asian Singer
Kuato from Total Recall
***I have to give Collin full credit for this one! He found the cd in the dumpster at our apartment and instantly thought of Kuato! Way to go, Honey!***
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Big Water + Boat + Good Friends = My Happy Place
We spent a beautiful afternoon and evening on our friend's, Nathan, boat on Percy Priest Lake. The air temperature was 85 degrees while the water temperature was 86. Clear, blue skies and no humidity. It was perfect.
The Crew
My dear friend, LBJ...she is as beautiful on the inside too!
The Crew
My dear friend, LBJ...she is as beautiful on the inside too!The boys had a great time swimming. Magnus was fearless. He was jumping off the boat, swimming away from the boat, and by the end of the day he was diving! Thane was a bit more cautious, but I was just happy he wanted to go in!
After a bit of swimming, we got the skis out. Collin had not been skiing since he was about 12. He was able to get up, but then the lake got the best of him.
I had skied before, but I am by no means good. The last time I had skied was about 15 years ago. I was able to get up and stay up for about 5-10 seconds. A victory! However, there are no photos to prove it.
LBJ's fate was much like Collin's. She was able to get up, but then...
Nate, on the other hand, grew up on the lake. Here he is wake boarding...
He, however, was unable to control the skies, so Nate pulled him in...
Here are some great photos from our day...
Check out the cool effect the water created behind me and Collin. By the end of the day, we were pooped!
After a bit of swimming, we got the skis out. Collin had not been skiing since he was about 12. He was able to get up, but then the lake got the best of him.
I had skied before, but I am by no means good. The last time I had skied was about 15 years ago. I was able to get up and stay up for about 5-10 seconds. A victory! However, there are no photos to prove it.
LBJ's fate was much like Collin's. She was able to get up, but then...
Nate, on the other hand, grew up on the lake. Here he is wake boarding...
Wanna see who else tried it...
He completely surprised us! You have to understand, this is the same kid who, at the beginning of the summer, was afraid to jump into the 3ft. with a life vest and a floaty ring!
He, however, was unable to control the skies, so Nate pulled him in...
Here are some great photos from our day...
Check out the cool effect the water created behind me and Collin. By the end of the day, we were pooped!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Yankee Girl Says Goodbye to Dixie
As our time of living in the South is drawing to a close, I have been thinking a lot about the things I have experienced and learned from spending 7 1/2 of the past 9 years here. It's different here than the NW and even the Midwest. Not in a bad way. Not in a good way. Just different. And I have come to appreciate those differences. For instance, things/items have different names here and I get funny looks when I call them by what I am use to.
Examples...(Now, not everybody in the South refers to these items as I mention, but several people I have run into here do.)
1. I call it a purse. Here, it is a pocket book or even a hand bag.
2. I call it a couch. Here it is a sofa.
3. I call it a cart. Here it is a buggy or a basket.
4. I call it pop. Here it is coke. Everything is coke. Then the server asks, "What kind?' You then answer, "Dr. Pepper." Why? Why not cut out the "middle man"?
5. I say "you guys". They say "y'all"...and I have caught myself saying that on occasion!
6. I say "maybe we could". They say "we might could"...okay, I have been told by my very southern friend that that phrase is not typical for the South, but maybe only in my area of the South.
7. I say "the canoe tipped over". Murray says "the canoe tumped over". (There is a little red line under this word as I typed it to indicate IT IS NOT A WORD! :o)
8. I say "we're gonna"...I know...very poor English. They say "we're fixin'"
9. I call it the Civil War. Here it is the War of Northern Aggression...but only to the real die-hards!
While living here, my boys have learned to call adults our age, "Miss First Name" and "Mr. First Name". If they are older than Collin and I then they are to refer to them as "Mrs/Miss Last Name" and "Mr. Last Name". This is not something Collin and I were raised to do and if they boys had not lived most/all of the life here (thus far) we probably would not have insisted on it. We have come to view it as a sign of respect and they will continue to refer to adults this way. However, we do not require them to refer to us as "ma'am" and "sir" as I have heard many kids call their parents. We are just plain ol' "mom" and "dad".
There are also some things that I am going to miss that are not necessarily "Southern", but they, from my understanding, are not in N. CA.
1. Cardinals. These are my favorite bird. I love their color, their markings, and their song. I love to watch them eat the sunflower seed from my feeder and chase each other away.
2. Lightening Bugs...some call them Fireflies. Collin has referred to them as "magical", and I think he is right. They are magical and amazing. No more catching them and putting them in jars at night only to escape from the holes that were punched too big in the jar lid.
3. Thunderstorms...need I say more?
And finally, things about Middle TN I will miss...
1. Barfield Crescent Park and Radnor Lake. MANY good memories hiking the trails at these two parks. Lots of dreams and plans made while trekking about.
2. McKays Used Books. Holy Cow! This is the biggest used bookstore I have been to. And really reasonable.
3. Our Parish...St. Patrick's Anglican Church. But more importantly, Father Ray and Beth.
4. The Nashville Zoo. I love this zoo. It is a great zoo.
5. Five Guys Burger and Fries. Only the greatest burgers in town!
6. #3 stickers on the back windows of cars...just kidding...no Dale fans here.
7. Bluegrass Music. Not sure how popular it is in CA, but I LOVE IT!
8. Clogging competitions and showcases. I will forever regret not learning how to do this.
9. Amy...my wonderful hairdresser who never messes up and knows exactly how I like my eyebrows waxed!
10. Last, but certainly not least, all of the many wonderful friends we will be leaving behind. (If you are reading this...I love you!)
Well, that about covers it. Good bye Middle TN and good bye The South!
Examples...(Now, not everybody in the South refers to these items as I mention, but several people I have run into here do.)
1. I call it a purse. Here, it is a pocket book or even a hand bag.
2. I call it a couch. Here it is a sofa.
3. I call it a cart. Here it is a buggy or a basket.
4. I call it pop. Here it is coke. Everything is coke. Then the server asks, "What kind?' You then answer, "Dr. Pepper." Why? Why not cut out the "middle man"?
5. I say "you guys". They say "y'all"...and I have caught myself saying that on occasion!
6. I say "maybe we could". They say "we might could"...okay, I have been told by my very southern friend that that phrase is not typical for the South, but maybe only in my area of the South.
7. I say "the canoe tipped over". Murray says "the canoe tumped over". (There is a little red line under this word as I typed it to indicate IT IS NOT A WORD! :o)
8. I say "we're gonna"...I know...very poor English. They say "we're fixin'"
9. I call it the Civil War. Here it is the War of Northern Aggression...but only to the real die-hards!
While living here, my boys have learned to call adults our age, "Miss First Name" and "Mr. First Name". If they are older than Collin and I then they are to refer to them as "Mrs/Miss Last Name" and "Mr. Last Name". This is not something Collin and I were raised to do and if they boys had not lived most/all of the life here (thus far) we probably would not have insisted on it. We have come to view it as a sign of respect and they will continue to refer to adults this way. However, we do not require them to refer to us as "ma'am" and "sir" as I have heard many kids call their parents. We are just plain ol' "mom" and "dad".
There are also some things that I am going to miss that are not necessarily "Southern", but they, from my understanding, are not in N. CA.
1. Cardinals. These are my favorite bird. I love their color, their markings, and their song. I love to watch them eat the sunflower seed from my feeder and chase each other away.
2. Lightening Bugs...some call them Fireflies. Collin has referred to them as "magical", and I think he is right. They are magical and amazing. No more catching them and putting them in jars at night only to escape from the holes that were punched too big in the jar lid.
3. Thunderstorms...need I say more?
And finally, things about Middle TN I will miss...
1. Barfield Crescent Park and Radnor Lake. MANY good memories hiking the trails at these two parks. Lots of dreams and plans made while trekking about.
2. McKays Used Books. Holy Cow! This is the biggest used bookstore I have been to. And really reasonable.
3. Our Parish...St. Patrick's Anglican Church. But more importantly, Father Ray and Beth.
4. The Nashville Zoo. I love this zoo. It is a great zoo.
5. Five Guys Burger and Fries. Only the greatest burgers in town!
6. #3 stickers on the back windows of cars...just kidding...no Dale fans here.
7. Bluegrass Music. Not sure how popular it is in CA, but I LOVE IT!
8. Clogging competitions and showcases. I will forever regret not learning how to do this.
9. Amy...my wonderful hairdresser who never messes up and knows exactly how I like my eyebrows waxed!
10. Last, but certainly not least, all of the many wonderful friends we will be leaving behind. (If you are reading this...I love you!)
Well, that about covers it. Good bye Middle TN and good bye The South!
Wordless Wednesday...a bit early...and a bit wordy...
A year ago today, I was standing with my favorite person, in front of my favorite man-made object, in my favorite city!I have been doing a lot of looking back as a new chapter in our life is about to begin.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Left turn signal...arm straight out. Right turn signal...arm bent up at elbow.
We have a new hobby!!! I am so excited and can not get enough! The best part about it is we all enjoy it! Are you curious? It's biking!!!!!!!!
We are moving to a community where there are more bikes than cars. Everything is easily accessible by biking or walking. In preparation for this, we have gone on some bike rides around here. Yesterday we did a total of 10.5 miles...the boys included! From doing this, we have concluded that some changes in our transportation are going to have to take place. We purchased this great "bike" for Thane on Craigslist.com. We got a really great deal on it too!
It attaches to the seat post of mine or Collin's bike. He pedals right along with us. He loves it!
We are looking for a new/used bike for Magnus. Currently he is riding his little 16 incher and the poor kid can't even extend his legs. We are hoping to find a 20 in. mountain type bike for him. Something he'll be able to ride for a few years.
Collin has plans to modify his mountain bike...upright handle bars, softer seat, fenders, and some other stuff.
I am trying to decide between modifying my mountain bike or getting a multi-speed beach cruiser. I am leaning towards the cruiser idea. I would like something like this with baskets on the backside and front handlebars! Oh, and pink! Or, mint green. Again, I will be searching endlessly on Craigslist. We are also heading to a flea market this weekend to check out their selection.
Hopefully I'll remember my camera on one of our little outings and post some pics of us on our little adventure!
We are moving to a community where there are more bikes than cars. Everything is easily accessible by biking or walking. In preparation for this, we have gone on some bike rides around here. Yesterday we did a total of 10.5 miles...the boys included! From doing this, we have concluded that some changes in our transportation are going to have to take place. We purchased this great "bike" for Thane on Craigslist.com. We got a really great deal on it too!
It attaches to the seat post of mine or Collin's bike. He pedals right along with us. He loves it!We are looking for a new/used bike for Magnus. Currently he is riding his little 16 incher and the poor kid can't even extend his legs. We are hoping to find a 20 in. mountain type bike for him. Something he'll be able to ride for a few years.
Collin has plans to modify his mountain bike...upright handle bars, softer seat, fenders, and some other stuff.
I am trying to decide between modifying my mountain bike or getting a multi-speed beach cruiser. I am leaning towards the cruiser idea. I would like something like this with baskets on the backside and front handlebars! Oh, and pink! Or, mint green. Again, I will be searching endlessly on Craigslist. We are also heading to a flea market this weekend to check out their selection.
Hopefully I'll remember my camera on one of our little outings and post some pics of us on our little adventure!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)