So, we made it. The bugs are BIG! And they're everywhere!!! Palm trees intermingled with pine trees. And just what is the difference between spanish moss and kudzu?
Eric has developed a preference for energy drinks. He says they're healthy - but he had to ask me if ginsing was good for you.
More later.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Macon Whoo-pee
Okay, the title is an easy shot. But after 9 hours in the saddle, so to speak, I'm not capable of anything more creative.
After 2-1/2 days of hard driving, we have finally arrived in Georgia. I loathe my car. I do not want to get back in the driver's seat. Eric has offered to let me drive the UHaul and trailer tomorrow, but I don't think so!
Let me go back and add details from the last few days. (I couldn't blog as much as I wanted to last night since my laptop was needed for computer radio.)
Let's see - Durant. Friday night in the big town. Now, my parents and I used to stop in Durant as the halfway point between Dallas and Muldrow/Ft. Smith. I can't count the number of times we stopped for Mickey D's in Doo-rant. I've also been down there several times for music auditions for OAI. That, however, doesn't have anything to do with actually finding hotel space in Durant. We ended up staying at the Budget Inn. Okay spot, as long as you didn't want to take a shower. Bathroom was a little too ratty. On the upside from the Motel 6 the night before, we did get a larger tv with more channels, a microwave and fridge. Nathan was happy - there was a Mickey D's with a playground in the other end of the parking lot.
Eric had determined that we needed to leave at 7:30 a.m. to be sure and get to the hotel in plenty of time to get the game. I told him I would pack the car (I can do it without getting cranky). I just want everyone to know that even with me doing all the trips back and forth to the car, we were on the road by 7:25 - 5 MINUTES TO SPARE!
Now, to be fair, let me give you an idea of what is involved in loading and unloading the car. All three of us has separate luggage for our clothes. 1 vanity case for bathroom needs. 1 milk crate with any drinks/food for the hotel room. 1 laptop case. 1 small igloo for drinks. 1 16 inch tv for Nathan to play his PS2 on. 1 cat in a carrier. 1 cat on the loose. 1 container of cat food. 1 box of kitty litter, and 1 litter box. Aside from all of that, we have to bring in charge cords for the 2 cell phones, the 2 walkie-talkies, the GameBoy system and the portable DVD player.
We traveled from Durant to Idabel. Got lost. A very nice police man from the Choctaw Nation stopped to give us directions. Makes me wish that we had a least gone by the Choctaw Nation museum in Durant. Turned south from Idabel to DeKalb, Texas. Now, we were pronouncing it De KALB with a hard L. Apparently, however, the locals call it DEE Kab.
From there we traveled through Texarkana to Shreveport and had lunch at the local Subway. Nathan has seen the commercials where kids talk about how everything else in their lives are chosen for them, but at Subway they can pick whatever they want. So Nathan wants to go to Subway any chance he can get. Nathan's idea of the ideal lunch? A ham and cheese sandwich on white bread, with 3 pieces of bacon and extra pepperoni. I think that covers just about every part of the pig. Point of fact - Shreveport is where Eric and I spent our wedding night. This time I think we lasted about 30 minutes in town.
From Shreveport we kept truckin' on I-2o to Jackson, Mississippi. The north Jackson La Quinta Inn was a definite step up from the Budget Inn. The wireless connection was not as easy as advertized. I ended up spending about 15 minutes on the phone with a techno geek in India to get online.
That brings us to today. Luckily, the searing retinas were not as much of a problem. The 1,000 foot pine trees lining I-20 provided enough shade that the morning glare wasn't as much of a problem. It was odd not to see the horizon because of the trees.
The town of Chunky, Mississippi wins my vote for the most unusual place name that we encountered. Have to also highlight the convenience store worker in Mississippi, who when we asked her if she knew where the time zone changed said, "I don't think it changes down here in the south. I think it's north of Virginia." Bless your heart.
Once we got to the Alabama border, we got off I-20 and went on state highway 80. Eric, who was in the lead, managed to miss the highway 80 exit. He can never criticize my cognitive mapping skills again. Apparently his Potawatomi rader wasn't working today. An extra 15 miles out of our way, and a lovely detour through the town of York, Alabama, and we were back on track.
We were definitely on the civil rights circuit today as we drove through Selma and Montgomery. The key phrase is 'drove through'. I don't think you get any credit for studying history or connecting with the struggles by just 'driving through.' I feel bad that I haven't taken any pictures to document our journey to a new life, but please! I've got enough electronic crap and road weariness that I'm lucky to keep track of my purse, much less my camera.
The last 'little' bit from Columbus to Macon seemed to last for-EVER! And I couldn't get the Cowboy game on the radio. Once we checked into the Ramada Inn we found the game on tv, but by then it was all over but the crying. The '72 Dolphins can rest easy tonight.
Tomorrow, luckily, is just about a 3 hour drive. About another 4 days in a Motel 6, and we hopefully will be able to move into senior NCO quarters at Ft. Stewart. I'm ready.
After 2-1/2 days of hard driving, we have finally arrived in Georgia. I loathe my car. I do not want to get back in the driver's seat. Eric has offered to let me drive the UHaul and trailer tomorrow, but I don't think so!
Let me go back and add details from the last few days. (I couldn't blog as much as I wanted to last night since my laptop was needed for computer radio.)
Let's see - Durant. Friday night in the big town. Now, my parents and I used to stop in Durant as the halfway point between Dallas and Muldrow/Ft. Smith. I can't count the number of times we stopped for Mickey D's in Doo-rant. I've also been down there several times for music auditions for OAI. That, however, doesn't have anything to do with actually finding hotel space in Durant. We ended up staying at the Budget Inn. Okay spot, as long as you didn't want to take a shower. Bathroom was a little too ratty. On the upside from the Motel 6 the night before, we did get a larger tv with more channels, a microwave and fridge. Nathan was happy - there was a Mickey D's with a playground in the other end of the parking lot.
Eric had determined that we needed to leave at 7:30 a.m. to be sure and get to the hotel in plenty of time to get the game. I told him I would pack the car (I can do it without getting cranky). I just want everyone to know that even with me doing all the trips back and forth to the car, we were on the road by 7:25 - 5 MINUTES TO SPARE!
Now, to be fair, let me give you an idea of what is involved in loading and unloading the car. All three of us has separate luggage for our clothes. 1 vanity case for bathroom needs. 1 milk crate with any drinks/food for the hotel room. 1 laptop case. 1 small igloo for drinks. 1 16 inch tv for Nathan to play his PS2 on. 1 cat in a carrier. 1 cat on the loose. 1 container of cat food. 1 box of kitty litter, and 1 litter box. Aside from all of that, we have to bring in charge cords for the 2 cell phones, the 2 walkie-talkies, the GameBoy system and the portable DVD player.
We traveled from Durant to Idabel. Got lost. A very nice police man from the Choctaw Nation stopped to give us directions. Makes me wish that we had a least gone by the Choctaw Nation museum in Durant. Turned south from Idabel to DeKalb, Texas. Now, we were pronouncing it De KALB with a hard L. Apparently, however, the locals call it DEE Kab.
From there we traveled through Texarkana to Shreveport and had lunch at the local Subway. Nathan has seen the commercials where kids talk about how everything else in their lives are chosen for them, but at Subway they can pick whatever they want. So Nathan wants to go to Subway any chance he can get. Nathan's idea of the ideal lunch? A ham and cheese sandwich on white bread, with 3 pieces of bacon and extra pepperoni. I think that covers just about every part of the pig. Point of fact - Shreveport is where Eric and I spent our wedding night. This time I think we lasted about 30 minutes in town.
From Shreveport we kept truckin' on I-2o to Jackson, Mississippi. The north Jackson La Quinta Inn was a definite step up from the Budget Inn. The wireless connection was not as easy as advertized. I ended up spending about 15 minutes on the phone with a techno geek in India to get online.
That brings us to today. Luckily, the searing retinas were not as much of a problem. The 1,000 foot pine trees lining I-20 provided enough shade that the morning glare wasn't as much of a problem. It was odd not to see the horizon because of the trees.
The town of Chunky, Mississippi wins my vote for the most unusual place name that we encountered. Have to also highlight the convenience store worker in Mississippi, who when we asked her if she knew where the time zone changed said, "I don't think it changes down here in the south. I think it's north of Virginia." Bless your heart.
Once we got to the Alabama border, we got off I-20 and went on state highway 80. Eric, who was in the lead, managed to miss the highway 80 exit. He can never criticize my cognitive mapping skills again. Apparently his Potawatomi rader wasn't working today. An extra 15 miles out of our way, and a lovely detour through the town of York, Alabama, and we were back on track.
We were definitely on the civil rights circuit today as we drove through Selma and Montgomery. The key phrase is 'drove through'. I don't think you get any credit for studying history or connecting with the struggles by just 'driving through.' I feel bad that I haven't taken any pictures to document our journey to a new life, but please! I've got enough electronic crap and road weariness that I'm lucky to keep track of my purse, much less my camera.
The last 'little' bit from Columbus to Macon seemed to last for-EVER! And I couldn't get the Cowboy game on the radio. Once we checked into the Ramada Inn we found the game on tv, but by then it was all over but the crying. The '72 Dolphins can rest easy tonight.
Tomorrow, luckily, is just about a 3 hour drive. About another 4 days in a Motel 6, and we hopefully will be able to move into senior NCO quarters at Ft. Stewart. I'm ready.
There's a bright golden haze on the meadow...
As we pulled out of Durant on state highway 70, the fog over the fields was pretty, but driving due east into the rising sun tends to burn the retinas.
It did seem like the real start of our adventure. After all, today we were crossing state lines!!!! Nathan insisted on riding with me for the morning leg. I had to endure 2 rounds of the Alvin and the Chipmunks sound track. Who decided that the Alvin soundtrack should be hip-hop?
Eric managed to survive driving the UHaul and trailer in city traffic. I'm so glad we're doing this on the weekend when traffic isn't so bad. But we were on a schedule! Had to get to the hotel in time for the game! Move it! Move it! Move it!
All sorts of random thoughts while driving for 9 hours. Besides the afore mentioned Alvin question - you know how people who fly for long hours have to work about leg clots? Has anyone ever done a study on long haul truckers? Is this something I should be worried about? Has southern Louisiana recovered from Gustav yet? Nobody talks about that any more, cuz it's all about Ike now.
You'll all be releaved to know that we made it to the LaQuinta Inn with an hour to spare. Of course, no Fox Sports Southwest on the tv. Had to make due with internet radio to listen to the game. This is now our life.
Yet another dinner of pizza. Seriously, Nutrasystem for me when Eric goes to ANOC.
Another 9 hours to look forward to on Sunday! The feeling of adventure generally wears off around 2:00. Then it's just trudge on through to the hotel.
It did seem like the real start of our adventure. After all, today we were crossing state lines!!!! Nathan insisted on riding with me for the morning leg. I had to endure 2 rounds of the Alvin and the Chipmunks sound track. Who decided that the Alvin soundtrack should be hip-hop?
Eric managed to survive driving the UHaul and trailer in city traffic. I'm so glad we're doing this on the weekend when traffic isn't so bad. But we were on a schedule! Had to get to the hotel in time for the game! Move it! Move it! Move it!
All sorts of random thoughts while driving for 9 hours. Besides the afore mentioned Alvin question - you know how people who fly for long hours have to work about leg clots? Has anyone ever done a study on long haul truckers? Is this something I should be worried about? Has southern Louisiana recovered from Gustav yet? Nobody talks about that any more, cuz it's all about Ike now.
You'll all be releaved to know that we made it to the LaQuinta Inn with an hour to spare. Of course, no Fox Sports Southwest on the tv. Had to make due with internet radio to listen to the game. This is now our life.
Yet another dinner of pizza. Seriously, Nutrasystem for me when Eric goes to ANOC.
Another 9 hours to look forward to on Sunday! The feeling of adventure generally wears off around 2:00. Then it's just trudge on through to the hotel.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Hurry up and wait
Technically we're homeless. Since 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. It was funny to see what possessions we owned that were so important to us that we had to move them ourselves - 2 mattresses, 3 computers, radios, 2 tvs and the coffee pot. We really don't have enough to fill a UHaul, but had to have the UHaul to haul Rufus (Eric's antique truck - or as I like to call it, a really big, expensive lawn ornament).
I won't lie - nerves were frazzled and snappy repartee wasn't necessarily a good thing while we were packing the last bit of house before we had to turn over the keys. (That was the hurry up part). But finally it was over. Then we sent Nathan to school, ran a few errands on post, then just had to hang out until we could check into the Motel 6. (That's the wait part). Eric and I really didn't know what to do with ourselves. We had lunch at the mall and wandered around there and the PX and into a couple of pawn shops. Highly unusual for the both of us. I don't wander around shopping emporiums just to kill time. Too easy to spend money un-necessarily that way.
Motel 6 was hopping last night. If it weren't for the cats, we could upgrade our lodging choices. Tonight we stay at the big town of Durant. Whee-hoo...
Nathan and I slept in while Eric went to finish up some paperwork in post. Unfortunately the paperwork hasn't come through for us to have his promotion ceremony today before we leave. After one last trucker's breakfast at Big Chef's, Nathan and I are just waiting for Eric is come get us. (More waiting).
I won't lie - nerves were frazzled and snappy repartee wasn't necessarily a good thing while we were packing the last bit of house before we had to turn over the keys. (That was the hurry up part). But finally it was over. Then we sent Nathan to school, ran a few errands on post, then just had to hang out until we could check into the Motel 6. (That's the wait part). Eric and I really didn't know what to do with ourselves. We had lunch at the mall and wandered around there and the PX and into a couple of pawn shops. Highly unusual for the both of us. I don't wander around shopping emporiums just to kill time. Too easy to spend money un-necessarily that way.
Motel 6 was hopping last night. If it weren't for the cats, we could upgrade our lodging choices. Tonight we stay at the big town of Durant. Whee-hoo...
Nathan and I slept in while Eric went to finish up some paperwork in post. Unfortunately the paperwork hasn't come through for us to have his promotion ceremony today before we leave. After one last trucker's breakfast at Big Chef's, Nathan and I are just waiting for Eric is come get us. (More waiting).
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Packers & Promotions
Monday, T-minus 4 days, has come and gone. Packers showed up about an hour earlier than I was really prepared for. Yeah, moving sucks, but on the plus side, the army provides the packers and heavy lifters. It took 3 people just five hours to pack everything.
Should have supervised them a little bit more. One of them packed the 8 roll pack of paper towels. Paper towels!?@?! I kept looking at them on the shelf, thinking I should move them to somewhere safe, but 'nah, there's no way they'd pack the paper towels.'
On the positive side, Eric's sequence number came up. So as of October 1, Eric will be an E-7, or a Sgt First Class. For the non-military types out there, there are nine levels of enlisted soldiers, E-1 through E-9 (E-enlisted, get it?). E1 through E3 are various degrees of privates. E-4 is a specialist, which used to be a corporal (think Radar on MASH). E5s and up are sergeants, also known as NCOs or non-commissioned officers. E7s and up are senior NCOs. It only took Eric three years to go from E6 to E7. That's almost unheard of, at least in the band field. (Probably happens more often in combat units). You're not even considered for promotion until after the 2nd year. The fact that he made it in the third year means that he worked hard and had some great reviews by his raters. I am so proud of him. The pay increase doesn't hurt, either. ;)
Should have supervised them a little bit more. One of them packed the 8 roll pack of paper towels. Paper towels!?@?! I kept looking at them on the shelf, thinking I should move them to somewhere safe, but 'nah, there's no way they'd pack the paper towels.'
On the positive side, Eric's sequence number came up. So as of October 1, Eric will be an E-7, or a Sgt First Class. For the non-military types out there, there are nine levels of enlisted soldiers, E-1 through E-9 (E-enlisted, get it?). E1 through E3 are various degrees of privates. E-4 is a specialist, which used to be a corporal (think Radar on MASH). E5s and up are sergeants, also known as NCOs or non-commissioned officers. E7s and up are senior NCOs. It only took Eric three years to go from E6 to E7. That's almost unheard of, at least in the band field. (Probably happens more often in combat units). You're not even considered for promotion until after the 2nd year. The fact that he made it in the third year means that he worked hard and had some great reviews by his raters. I am so proud of him. The pay increase doesn't hurt, either. ;)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Texas in My Rear view Mirror (with apologies to Mac Davis)
In general, I'd say that I'm excited about the move out to Fort Stewart. But honestly - today just sucks. Had to say goodbye to my parents this morning. Now, I know that I will see them again. But who knows when or where. It felt like I was saying goodbye forever. (Drama queen...)
After a three hour drive - in which Eric missed the Decatur exit because he was so preoccupied about the move - we had to come home and start the pre-packing. The movers are coming tomorrow to pack. But because we're doing a partial-DTY move, we have to segregate out what we're taking from what the movers are going to pack. My ideal would be to wait until Nathan has gone to bed and after we've had dinner. But no..... Eric has already packed 3 forks, 3 knives, 3 plates, 2 coffee cups, 1 grill pan, etc. Too bad he packed all that before he cooked dinner. "Honey, where are the plates?" "You've already packed them, dear." "Oh..."
Yeah, I'm having to pack my clothes that I'm taking with me 4 days before we actually leave. He wants me to unplug the alarm clock since we'll be taking that with us. But I will actually need it plugged in for tomorrow morning !!!!
He's so much more stressed about the move than I am. But today every decision is grating on my nerves. Eric, of course, is perversely thrilled that I'm finally stressing - he's been stressing since January. He's worried about the cat damage to the back door, the paint chips missing on the entry hallway, the housing situation once we get out there - etc., etc., etc.
I've had to pack financial and identifing information out in the garage. I'm cringing at the thought of my identity being stolen because someone will steal my blank check books. For some reason, my husband doesn't think that way. He wants to put my musical instruments - the cello, violin and guitar - out in the garage tonight. Are you crazy?!?@? Unlike your electric bass, my instruments are wood and can't handle the changes in humidity. Eric: "Where's the welcome packet from the realtor?" Me: "Somewhere out in the garage. (where we've put everything that we are taking - not the movers). Good luck finding it."
I'm currently watching the Cow-punks playing football against the Packers. Luckily, they're up 20 to 9. Just reminds me that out in Hinesville, we probably will only get Dallas and OU games once in awhile. I'll have to settle for SEC and the Atlanta Falcons. Blech! I don't want to have to develop a hurricane plan. I don't want to get used to new allergans. I don't want to live in Eastern Standard Time. I don't want to have to decide between voting locally or absentee in Oklahoma.
Tony Romo looks like a frat boy, but damn if he hasn't brought the Cowboys 26 to 9.
I think what really is stressing me is the fact that I don't know what time the packers are coming tomorrow. The last time the Army moved me, they didn't show up until almost 5:00 p.m. Nothing is worse that sitting at home waiting for the packers. You can't leave - you're a prisoner in your own home, just waiting for them to arrive. Aargh! Had to resort to my Queen Greatest Hits this afternoon. For some reason, the absurdity of Queen helps me deal with the stressors of life. Thank goodness for "fat bottom girls" who make the rockin' world go 'round on their 'Bicycle". We maybe the "champions", but I just need "Somebody to Love".
Maybe it's the just the "Pressure." I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow.
After a three hour drive - in which Eric missed the Decatur exit because he was so preoccupied about the move - we had to come home and start the pre-packing. The movers are coming tomorrow to pack. But because we're doing a partial-DTY move, we have to segregate out what we're taking from what the movers are going to pack. My ideal would be to wait until Nathan has gone to bed and after we've had dinner. But no..... Eric has already packed 3 forks, 3 knives, 3 plates, 2 coffee cups, 1 grill pan, etc. Too bad he packed all that before he cooked dinner. "Honey, where are the plates?" "You've already packed them, dear." "Oh..."
Yeah, I'm having to pack my clothes that I'm taking with me 4 days before we actually leave. He wants me to unplug the alarm clock since we'll be taking that with us. But I will actually need it plugged in for tomorrow morning !!!!
He's so much more stressed about the move than I am. But today every decision is grating on my nerves. Eric, of course, is perversely thrilled that I'm finally stressing - he's been stressing since January. He's worried about the cat damage to the back door, the paint chips missing on the entry hallway, the housing situation once we get out there - etc., etc., etc.
I've had to pack financial and identifing information out in the garage. I'm cringing at the thought of my identity being stolen because someone will steal my blank check books. For some reason, my husband doesn't think that way. He wants to put my musical instruments - the cello, violin and guitar - out in the garage tonight. Are you crazy?!?@? Unlike your electric bass, my instruments are wood and can't handle the changes in humidity. Eric: "Where's the welcome packet from the realtor?" Me: "Somewhere out in the garage. (where we've put everything that we are taking - not the movers). Good luck finding it."
I'm currently watching the Cow-punks playing football against the Packers. Luckily, they're up 20 to 9. Just reminds me that out in Hinesville, we probably will only get Dallas and OU games once in awhile. I'll have to settle for SEC and the Atlanta Falcons. Blech! I don't want to have to develop a hurricane plan. I don't want to get used to new allergans. I don't want to live in Eastern Standard Time. I don't want to have to decide between voting locally or absentee in Oklahoma.
Tony Romo looks like a frat boy, but damn if he hasn't brought the Cowboys 26 to 9.
I think what really is stressing me is the fact that I don't know what time the packers are coming tomorrow. The last time the Army moved me, they didn't show up until almost 5:00 p.m. Nothing is worse that sitting at home waiting for the packers. You can't leave - you're a prisoner in your own home, just waiting for them to arrive. Aargh! Had to resort to my Queen Greatest Hits this afternoon. For some reason, the absurdity of Queen helps me deal with the stressors of life. Thank goodness for "fat bottom girls" who make the rockin' world go 'round on their 'Bicycle". We maybe the "champions", but I just need "Somebody to Love".
Maybe it's the just the "Pressure." I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow.
Tattoos
Just came back from visiting family in Dallas. You know, I only see my cousins maybe 3 times a year. They all live in the DFW area, and other than college, they mostly always have. I've pretty much not lived there since I left for college. And since they're siblings, they are so much more intertwined than I would expect to be. But know what? I still am excited to see them, and my aunt and uncle and just like to hang with them. We didn't do anything more exciting than eat lasagne and what college football, but it was one of the more enjoyable visits I've had in awhile, simply because I got to spend time with them.
I remember when Pam's children were the babies, and everyone doted on them. Then it was my son Nathan's turn to be the center of attention. Now it's Jasmine's son Jack who everyone wants to see.
It just brings into relief for me how much will change before I will be back with my extended family. Who knows when we'll be able to return. I didn't get to come to Jasmine's wedding when we moved to Fort Campbell. What other changes will happen in the next year?
So, tattoos? While we were all together last night, for some reason we started talking about Grandpa Jacobs. Pam was the only cousin who actually knew him. The rest of us were born after he died. But even she didn't know about his tattoos. Somehow Jasmine remembered something that Uncle Robert said. Apparently as a navy man, Grandpa had a tattoo of a rooster on one foot and a pig on the other. How random is that? He also had an anchor (typical for a submariner) on one arm and a kewpie doll on the other. (Still haven't figured out about the kewpie doll). I had to google for the answer as soon as we got home. According to navy lore, since crates of chickens and pigs (kept onboard as footstuffs) tended to float, these crates were often the only things that would survive a shipwreck. So in a supersitious effort to keep from drowning, sailors would have a rooster on one foot and a pig on the other.
To me, as someone who is crazy for genealogy, it was a special touch to find out some random little detail about a family member - something that just pops up when family gets together and just talk. (Of course, this also highlights one of the great axioms of genealogy - whatever great discovery you've just made, some other family member will say, "oh, I could have told you that." Then why didn't you?!?!?@?)
I remember when Pam's children were the babies, and everyone doted on them. Then it was my son Nathan's turn to be the center of attention. Now it's Jasmine's son Jack who everyone wants to see.
It just brings into relief for me how much will change before I will be back with my extended family. Who knows when we'll be able to return. I didn't get to come to Jasmine's wedding when we moved to Fort Campbell. What other changes will happen in the next year?
So, tattoos? While we were all together last night, for some reason we started talking about Grandpa Jacobs. Pam was the only cousin who actually knew him. The rest of us were born after he died. But even she didn't know about his tattoos. Somehow Jasmine remembered something that Uncle Robert said. Apparently as a navy man, Grandpa had a tattoo of a rooster on one foot and a pig on the other. How random is that? He also had an anchor (typical for a submariner) on one arm and a kewpie doll on the other. (Still haven't figured out about the kewpie doll). I had to google for the answer as soon as we got home. According to navy lore, since crates of chickens and pigs (kept onboard as footstuffs) tended to float, these crates were often the only things that would survive a shipwreck. So in a supersitious effort to keep from drowning, sailors would have a rooster on one foot and a pig on the other.
To me, as someone who is crazy for genealogy, it was a special touch to find out some random little detail about a family member - something that just pops up when family gets together and just talk. (Of course, this also highlights one of the great axioms of genealogy - whatever great discovery you've just made, some other family member will say, "oh, I could have told you that." Then why didn't you?!?!?@?)
Monday, September 8, 2008
Crunch time
Eric went to transportation and housing today. Movers come on the 22nd to pack, come back on the 23rd to actually move. We'll have a barest of necessities in the house that night. Pick up a U-Haul on the 24th. Pack it up on the 25th, turn over the keys to housing that day. Spend the night in a hotel, then have the farewell on the 26th and head east.
We'll be roughing it for a couple of days. Now the thougtht of moving is really starting to hit home. We went to Norman last weekend to see family and see a football game. It was a really good visit, but it just underscores what we will be without for the next 3 to 4 years. Our parents are getting older. This past year Eric lost his favorite cousin, who was only a year older than he was. We've had losses this year, and we can reasonably anticipate losing a parent within the next 5-10 years, or at least for them to become more frail. That's very hard to deal with when you can't be there with them. I'm still looking forward to the move, but I get very maudlin thinking about leaving my family.
We'll be roughing it for a couple of days. Now the thougtht of moving is really starting to hit home. We went to Norman last weekend to see family and see a football game. It was a really good visit, but it just underscores what we will be without for the next 3 to 4 years. Our parents are getting older. This past year Eric lost his favorite cousin, who was only a year older than he was. We've had losses this year, and we can reasonably anticipate losing a parent within the next 5-10 years, or at least for them to become more frail. That's very hard to deal with when you can't be there with them. I'm still looking forward to the move, but I get very maudlin thinking about leaving my family.
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