Home Sweet Home

Well we're here!! In our house!! Again, we are renting, but it really feels like it's ours!

We could not have done it without all the help we had! 4 of hubby's students, a fellow staffer, and a friend of mine all came to help us load and unload and it went so smoothly!! And one of my coworkers took the dog for the day so he wouldn't be too worked up. The cats stayed in their crates most of the day but seem to be adjusting quite well now that they are free. I still can't believe how smooth it all went!

I will post pics of the interior as soon as we are done setting everything up!

All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust

It's funny how things change sometimes. I was getting ready to do a new post and went through some of my old posts and found a draft that I never published entitled, "I HATE Pennsylvania". I opened up and this is what I found:

I hate it here. I try to tell myself I don't but then I realize that I do again.

I'm pretty sure I'm never going to find a job in theatre here and while I actually do like working at Hallmark, it's not exactly what I want to do every day for my career.

I spend every day doing dishes and emptying the litter box and cleaning up after Rosco when he spills his full water dish all over the floor (Approx. 3-5 times a day).

I have no real friends yet, and I know that will take time but I haven't even found a place to really make friends. I joined a book club and it never seems to meet. We are supposed to meet next week but I haven't heard anything more about it. I joined an aerobics class, for the exercise but also to meet people. There are 6 people in class and I'm the only one under 30 with the exception of the teacher.

Now this was written in November 2009. I had forgotten all about it and I'm glad I did, because in the course of the last few months I have grown to kind of like it here. It's not quite home, but getting to feel a bit more like it could be. My book club still doesn't meet, but it did lead me to new friends, which was the whole point really. I have a full time job now, though still at Hallmark, and I enjoy it for the most part and have high hopes that I will get back to theatre and my passion for it.

I still do dishes and clean the litter box every day, but I no longer feel like that is ALL I do. And we got rid of the water bottle that Rosco spills, so that helps!

And the best thing to happen recently- we found a house! We have been living in a smaller town outside of the city and any time we want to do something we have to decide if it is worth the drive into town. Now we will be in the heart of it all! Hopefully this will make us feel a bit more like we are a part of it all. We will still be renting, but that's fine with me- I like it here, but am not committed to buying a home here yet!!

It has 3 bedrooms, a detached garage, all hardwood floors, and a yard!! I have never had a yard before! I am looking forward to planting flowers and herbs and making it our home. The owners want us to treat it as though it is our home and if we want to do any improvements, they will work with us to take it out of our rent. They even told me they would show up with a dump truck full of mulch if I want to re-do all the flower beds and start a garden!! I'm psyched!

Of course, I have never planted anything in my life, so this will be quite an adventure!

The title of this post is a quote from Disney's Peter Pan. I love that show and I have a particular connection with Tinkerbell and this quote just seems to speak to me. All things will work out eventually, sometime you just need that faith and trust, and a little pixie dust!

Overwhelming

There is so much to do and so little time!! I'm not even sure where to start! I've reserved our Penske truck for the move and I've tagged most of the yard sale stuff. I am hoping that after the sale on Saturday I'll be able to get a better grasp on what needs to be boxed up for the move! I'm also in the process of trying to get my cats more comfortable with the idea of being in the car. Cleo actually went for a ride the other day and did pretty well. She was vocal, but she was ok. Rosco however is scared to even go outside much less get in the car! We have an appointment with the vet next week to get them some calming meds for the trip. I hate to drug them but I would hate even more for them to be completely miserable!

It's weird because we leave on Sept. 1st so it seems like I have some time to get things done but when I looked at my calendar I actually only have about 3 days. I'm going to Vegas with friends next weekend and I am working full time all the way through Thursday, not to mention my part time job at the Fairfield Inn (there go my evenings!)...

So, I am feeling like I don't know how to get it all done. I need a checklist and more hours in the day would be great! The hubby has been working late for the last couple of weeks but he'll have a bit more time now to help which will also be a big help. It's easier to stay motivated when you have someone to keep you going!!

The good news is that we found a really cute townhouse in Pennsylvania!! It's 2 bedrooms and the kitchen looks REALLY nice!! So now it's time to get us there and get settled! Wish us luck!! The adventure continues!

I wanted an adventure...

And it looks like I'm getting one!

In three weeks my husband and I will be on our way to Pennsylvania with a Budget Truck and two very unhappy kitties. The husband got a WONDERFUL new job at Penn State! We are so excited but that means LOTS to do in just three weeks!

First step is to de-clutter!

Moving that far means cleaning out stuff that is unnecessary and having a yard sale. There's enough to move with just the necessities so I'm going to try VERY hard to not be a pack rat. Anyone who knows me knows I save a lot of junk. I can't help it that I want to save every party cup I ever painted in college!!

Step 2- Find an apartment IN PENNSYLVANIA!!

Not an easy task when you're in Tennessee and don't actually know anyone where you're moving! And it's a college town which means every apartment complex I've found is already fully rented for the year. Ugh. The good news is that I got in touch with a realtor today and they are going to see how they can help us find a place. Fingers crossed!

Next I figure out the best way to get my two sweet kitty cats to Pennsylvania without scarring them for life.

I am not above drugging them a little if it will make 14 hours in the car easier on their sensitive tummies and moods! I'm hoping to start taking them for little car rides here and there this week to help them adjust a little. Wish me luck!

And of course, find a job for me!

I'm hoping that my working part time at a hotel here will transfer nicely to a hotel there. That will at least give me something until I find my true calling!!

So here we go! I'm collecting boxes and I've already started packing things up for the big move. Everyone keeps warning me about the snow and I'm not sure how to prepare for a winter like I've never known but hopefully I'll have some time to ease into it. I'm excited about fall in Pennsylvania. Surely the leaves change there and I will really experience autumn like I never have before. This is all very exciting for us! And get this, it's illegal to NOT recycle there!! I kind of love that!! We're excited about moving somewhere that really cares about their town and the area. It will definitely be a change from Memphis!!

So stay tuned to see how this Southern girl survives up north!!

Home Sweet Home

I am actually getting to go back to Louisiana finally!  It will be a super fast trip, but so needed!  I'm leaving on Sunday morning and heading to Slidell to stay with my bro and his family until Tuesday when I have to head back to Memphis.  My parents will be there too so even though I'm not going to Bunkie, I'll still get to see them.

So many people I know are going home for Easter and I guess I am too, though I'm going now because it's the first time I've had more than 1 day off since my honeymoon- Easter or not.  But, I'm glad I'll be there at Easter!  I'll get to watch my BEYOND adorable niece and nephew hunt eggs and just be cute in general.  I love spending time with those kids- they are perfect in every way!!  The only down side is that my husband can't come with me.  He's stuck working.  I love having him with me, especially on family visits because he can always help me escape if I need to!  Don't get me wrong, I love my fam, but everyone knows family time can get stressful!!

But hey, it's only 3 days, right?  And I'm hoping for crawfish and beignets while I'm there!