The Long Journey - Feb 23, 2008
Now that I'm finally here, the trip seems anti climatic. It was a long drive. Took longer to load than I expected, so we got a late start on Saturday, and made it just past Indianapolis. It was a learning experience pulling a trailer, driving a truck that needed 11 feet of top clearance. Gas stations were tricky!! thank goodness for truck stops that are RV friendly ! hahaha The other thing required was pulling in to all the weigh stations along the way. We only had to pull into three, out of the seven we passed!
Sunday was a very long day, tough drive because of the wind and rain and roads. We only made 400 miles in about 10 hours of driving - way below my expectations - through St Louis and stopped 50 miles shy of the OK border. Pulled into a Super8 -- and discovered that the driveway did NOT go around the building. Which meant I had to attempt to back up the truck and trailer. It was dark, and cold, and it'd been a lonnnng day, so we just left it where it was, and decided that in the morning we'd deal with it. Ended up pulling the car off the dolly, disconnecting it from the truck, turning the whole she-bang around and getting it all back in place, pointed in the right direction. Thankfully, without hassles! There had been frost on the ground, the vehicles, but we had parked in such a way that the sun was melting it as it first came up.
After watching the weather channel's forecast for the drive across OK, I knew that I had to make it all the way, because a mix of rain/sleet/snow was expected the next day. And Ohio had enough of that for me! hahaha There was snow on the desert up this high, but nothing on the roads, thank goodness. Another 11 hour driving day, but we made it across and into Texas. The goal was Amarillo, but the city is laid out funny along that stretch of freeway and I didn't dare get off. So we drove another hour, and found an out of the way motel, and finally rested.
The next stop was going to be Las Cruces New Mexico. That's a college town. and the freeway literally dumps you into the middle of town, and the hotels are mostly settled into downtown, near the college. The ones on the outskirts of town looked like they rented "by the hour" --- uh, no thanks. *grin* so... onward some more, another hour to the next town. Another small one on the outskirts, thankfully, that I could pull around in. And a truck stop quite local, too. Because we're so far south, we had a Border Patrol inspection. Pulled up, the man waved us through. YAY --- guess we looked rather innocent and road weary?? Although, the last weigh station and inspection combination we pulled into near Tucson stopped us, asked us what was in the truck (household goods!) and he asked "Where ya moving from?" then said "Welcome to Arizona". That was pretty nice; he sure didn't have to.
We arrived at my Aunt's about 2pm. My Dad had given detailed instructions to get there; called back and given more directions; I'm not sure he realized just how big and wide I was with the truck and trailer. We drove through construction areas; and me, I just took up my lane down the center of two lanes through a couple of parts --- didn't want to be knocking over the cones and barrels! But we arrived, safe and sound, no mishaps. It was great to see Mom and Dad, that's for sure.
My Aunt's grandsons are the greatest, they came over after working all day, and unloaded the truck, from 530 to 8pm. got it all indoors. Hard to believe I had that much stuff!! but,,, I did, I do, now its time to let go of some of it! My Dad built me this bed frame thing that stores lots of stuff UNDER the bed; made it queen size, so I have a real sized bed now, and not just a twin day bed. :) That's gonna be nice... (wanna come sleep over? *giggggles* oh wait, my granddaughter is sleeping in it with me this weekend... )
Well, that about sums up the trip, it was good, non-eventful, and its great to be on the west coast, closer to my folks, and to family. Lots to be thankful for, and look forward to. Thanks to everyone for the good thoughts, prayers ... I may be in a different location, but I'm still here!
New Place, New Thoughts - Feb 24, 2008
Current mood:optimistic
It's 6:30 Sunday morning. And while I'm technically still on "vacation", I'm wide awake. I visited my new store last evening (and got some household essentials and groceries while I was there) - and I'm excited about getting started.
For my gals in Ohio: Yes, it looks like 5374, same floors, etc. Although, set up wise, its more like Englewood, flipped. Things are in odd places. But the store is HUGE and the folks I encountered were friendly. Yay! Furniture --- gosh, you can tell its a very busy place, and I'm guessing it's not been "worked" since the new mod stuff arrived. lol. I'll have my work cut out for me - but I love a challenge :) And in case you're wondering - YES, I had to have some BBQ boneless for supper. LOL And the prices of food items that I regularly purchase... they're the same here as they are there. So that was a relief. Gas was $2.79 , but I've seen it as high as $2.95.
It's a short drive to work, 20 mins max. I turn left from my driveway, go about 2 miles, turn left again, and go about 6 and its there on my left. The speed limits all the way there are 45, so the commute will go fast, unless there are many ppl going my same way. There might be, as there's a freeway just past Wal-Mart. There's LOTS of little shops out front, several small eating places, nail places, SuperCuts, Anna's Linens, can't remember the rest. And it's a very busy place.
Yesterday's weather was gorgeous - about 70 most of the day. When the sun drops, the temp drops quickly. But it stayed warm enough to have my windows cracked open all night. My bedroom is on the east side, so I get great morning sun. My patio stays out of the sun most of the day, cool in the shade. The first place I got things set up in was out on the patio. I can take my morning can of Diet Coke, and curl up into a blanket, slide open my bedroom's patio door, slip out into the morning air, and cuddle into a chair and watch the world wake up. My view is of the complex's courtyard, a grassy area, with some trees and bushes. Just to the right is one of the three swimming pools. The one here near me is the one with the hot tub in it .... *grin*
The folks here are real nice. First day here, the man across the hall offered to help unload things. He's got a real cute little miniature hmm.. Dachshund I think. Funny how even though I'm sure he's old enough to be considered a "man" - he's young. (yes girls, too young for me!! [hmmm..... *ponders* ..... Yep, he is] he he he )
This next week will be filled with looking things up, and venturing out and finding them - - the motor vehicles place, the library. Yesterday I wandered the complex, trying to locate the mail boxes! and yes, I found it, and my mail. Woo Hoo!
I unpacked several more boxes yesterday, it's the little things now, hanging up clothes I haven't even seen since last summer! and the little knick knacks I've had packed away for that long, as well. But it was slow going. Brianna loves to "help"; as we touch everything, put it where it ought to go, we try to go on to the next thing. But she loves to touch, play, and move things. Half our day seems to be spent looking for the tools we set down just a few minutes ago. *chuckles* OK, so I'm complaining a bit , but I wouldn't have it any other way. She will only be five once ..... and yes, I love it.
Although, it's interesting - I have always had so much patience with kids. Guess my own two, with their complications--- no, challenges! And I had plenty with my step kids as well. But I'm used to being on my own. I wonder if patience is something we lose along the way when we don't have the need to practice it ??? And, more important, will it come back??? I'm sure it will, with time and practice, and a house that's more organized than mine is right now!
OK, enough rambling. Am going to attempt to get some pix loaded from the camera to the computer.
