So, it has almost been a month since we arrived here in the 'Midwest'. I have learned a lot these first few weeks, such as there are a lot of ticks here, and you may NOT want to walk your dogs through the woods in late summer... I still get the creepy crawlies thinking about it! Other things include the fact that you cannot buy beer on Sundays, even though it is right out there in the store....and let's see, everyone is really friendly!
The kids are adjusting well and really like the neighborhood. There are A LOT of children here for them to play with, which is great, until the doorbell rings at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. I thought everyone here went to church? Seriously though, it is great because it has helped both of them make some new friends. In true Emma fashion she had a best friend within three days and had her spend the night the first Friday we were here. Chris has been a bit slower to make friends- I think part of it is the fact that there aren't but one or two boys in the neighborhood that are close to his age and (frankly probably the bigger issue) is that he has to be at school by 7:15 and the boy doesn't actually wake up to function fully until about noon. He does seem to be enjoying class though, and has made a couple of friends in class.
Frank is enjoying work and has been working hard to regain some lost accounts. As usual, he is schmoozing them back. Tonight they are sponsoring a local independant league baseball game. There are dollar dogs and beer- what could be better?? Should be fun.
I am working on a book and looking for work along with getting us all settled in to our home. It has taken a few weeks but I think that I am finally getting used to not going to work every day. For a while there I felt like I was forgetting something, or should be somewhere- you know, that anxious feeling we all get from time to time. As of last week though, it had disappeared for the most part. My goal is to write around 2500 words a day and get a book actually finished.... (I have five or six in various stages of 'un-done-ness'.)
As for pictures... I will have some posted to my Facebook page shortly....so, take a look there for the latest!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Week One... the humidity
Well, we have made it through the first week here in Indiana. Everyone is so nice here... sort of creepy, but nice.
Chris decided that football and humidity were not for him, which was not that big of a surprise. Emma is getting used to the weather. We do have a nice basketball hoop in the driveway (another somewhat creepy Hoosier thing- they are in ALL driveways...well, almost).
This morning we got up to take the dogs for a walk and at 8:30 it was almost 80 degrees and sooo humid. Humidity is interesting; it looks like fog, acts like fog, but is totally nothing like fog. The nice thing is that no matter what, once you walk out the door, you are instantly glistening or 'glowing'. You can totally fool anyone into believing that you have been working out too- as you will instantly have that 'just worked out on the Stairmaster for an hour' look.
Seriously though, we have been making progress. I am down to only a few boxes left to unpack. I have had to repack several though, since there is no where to put everything, except for back into a box and into the garage. Home is starting to look like a home, and we are getting settled. Everyone is healthy, and the dogs are acting strange. Life is normal. ;)
Chris decided that football and humidity were not for him, which was not that big of a surprise. Emma is getting used to the weather. We do have a nice basketball hoop in the driveway (another somewhat creepy Hoosier thing- they are in ALL driveways...well, almost).
This morning we got up to take the dogs for a walk and at 8:30 it was almost 80 degrees and sooo humid. Humidity is interesting; it looks like fog, acts like fog, but is totally nothing like fog. The nice thing is that no matter what, once you walk out the door, you are instantly glistening or 'glowing'. You can totally fool anyone into believing that you have been working out too- as you will instantly have that 'just worked out on the Stairmaster for an hour' look.
Seriously though, we have been making progress. I am down to only a few boxes left to unpack. I have had to repack several though, since there is no where to put everything, except for back into a box and into the garage. Home is starting to look like a home, and we are getting settled. Everyone is healthy, and the dogs are acting strange. Life is normal. ;)
Monday, August 3, 2009
We made it!
Wow! I was so excited to get out of the car that I forgot to blog about our arrival! The final day was most uneventuful. We started out by roaming around Kansas City a bit- Emma got to see a magic trick from the mini-mart cashier and we took pictures of the KC Speedway for Frank.
The miles rolled by and we made our way through Missouri, accross Illinois and into Indiana. Frank was waiting for us and I think that we were all happy to be back together again. The dogs are not quite sure how to react- I think it will be better when the furniture gets here on Tuesday.
Well, nothing too exciting- I just can't wait to have my own bed again!
The miles rolled by and we made our way through Missouri, accross Illinois and into Indiana. Frank was waiting for us and I think that we were all happy to be back together again. The dogs are not quite sure how to react- I think it will be better when the furniture gets here on Tuesday.
Well, nothing too exciting- I just can't wait to have my own bed again!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The longest day...oh, I mean, day 4....
On the road again.... really, I can wait to get on the road again....
Off we went into more South Dakota- rolling hills of grain and all that jazz. We had passed 'next to' the Badlands the night before, so the rest of our journey through South Dakota was pretty uneventful, except maybe for the exit sign that proclaimed that we could exit now and see the home of Laura Engalls-Wilder- tempting, but worth the time off the road? Not this trip. Although, it may be a way to persuade my LHP addicted friend to come out East to visit.
Into Missouri we went, skirting Nebraska the whole time; this aggrivated Emma to no end, as she is collecting pins from each state that we travel through. I told her 'next to' doesn't count. Bummer. We arrived in Platte City, over 450 miles from where we started. I pulled into the hotel parking lot and saw a huge group of people congregating outside the hotel lobby doors. I thought, fire drill? Some sort of evactuation? But, no. Catholic mass. Sure, why not? Right outside the entrance to the hotel- the sidewalk leading to the door acting as the center aisle. How to get in? I really needed to use the facilities after that last two hundred miles! Finally, a nice lady let me in a side door and I was able to go check in. At the desk I discover that per the explanation of the baffled desk boy (he really didn't know why mass was being held in the entrance way and didn't quite know what to do about it) the congregation outside was actually a family reunion with 189 (obviously most Catholic) members in attendance. Interesting.
After we got settled in our room, we took the dogs and got back in the car to go and find my friend Joanna and her family in Lansing, KS.
I only had to turn around 3 times. Joanna had told me that the drive would remind me of driving up Whidbey. I have to say, she was right! It was a beautiful drive over rivers (not a similarity to Whidbey, but who cares?) through twists and turns galore. A fun drive. We arrived in Leavenworth, KS and I attempted to explain to Emma that there was a military prison here. She wanted to know if it was harder than regular prison. Hmmm. Good question.
We drove through town to Lansing and had a wonderful dinner (pizza and beer, one of my favorites! YUM!) with one of my oldest friends. She of course, had to tell at least one humiliating story to my daughter about 'what your mom did when she was little'. At least it was only the one where I threw up all over my desk on the first day of first grade. Emma got a good chuckle.
We said goodbye around ten and headed back to the hotel, where, despite the reunion of mass destruction, we got a good night's sleep. Only one day to go!
Off we went into more South Dakota- rolling hills of grain and all that jazz. We had passed 'next to' the Badlands the night before, so the rest of our journey through South Dakota was pretty uneventful, except maybe for the exit sign that proclaimed that we could exit now and see the home of Laura Engalls-Wilder- tempting, but worth the time off the road? Not this trip. Although, it may be a way to persuade my LHP addicted friend to come out East to visit.
Into Missouri we went, skirting Nebraska the whole time; this aggrivated Emma to no end, as she is collecting pins from each state that we travel through. I told her 'next to' doesn't count. Bummer. We arrived in Platte City, over 450 miles from where we started. I pulled into the hotel parking lot and saw a huge group of people congregating outside the hotel lobby doors. I thought, fire drill? Some sort of evactuation? But, no. Catholic mass. Sure, why not? Right outside the entrance to the hotel- the sidewalk leading to the door acting as the center aisle. How to get in? I really needed to use the facilities after that last two hundred miles! Finally, a nice lady let me in a side door and I was able to go check in. At the desk I discover that per the explanation of the baffled desk boy (he really didn't know why mass was being held in the entrance way and didn't quite know what to do about it) the congregation outside was actually a family reunion with 189 (obviously most Catholic) members in attendance. Interesting.
After we got settled in our room, we took the dogs and got back in the car to go and find my friend Joanna and her family in Lansing, KS.
I only had to turn around 3 times. Joanna had told me that the drive would remind me of driving up Whidbey. I have to say, she was right! It was a beautiful drive over rivers (not a similarity to Whidbey, but who cares?) through twists and turns galore. A fun drive. We arrived in Leavenworth, KS and I attempted to explain to Emma that there was a military prison here. She wanted to know if it was harder than regular prison. Hmmm. Good question.
We drove through town to Lansing and had a wonderful dinner (pizza and beer, one of my favorites! YUM!) with one of my oldest friends. She of course, had to tell at least one humiliating story to my daughter about 'what your mom did when she was little'. At least it was only the one where I threw up all over my desk on the first day of first grade. Emma got a good chuckle.
We said goodbye around ten and headed back to the hotel, where, despite the reunion of mass destruction, we got a good night's sleep. Only one day to go!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
And then there was...day 3
Our third day of travels finds us leaving Billings, MT to head toward Murdo, SD. I am not exactly sure what is in Murdo, but I plan on finding out. I am also on the lookout for a skeletal man walking his skeletal dino as well... darn RoadsideAmerica.com (thanks Rachel!).
The morning is pretty uneventful, save the fact that I originally took us toward the Canadian border, but that only cost us about fifteen minutes- one to realize my mistake, the other 14 to find an exit that would turn us around! During this minor side adventure, I did get to take 'Exit 0'. I didn't realize that an Exit 0 could exist - does that mean that my exit was exactly on the Montana/ Wyoming border?
We traveled on toward our destination, through A LOT of grassland. Emma's comment was that it was neverending, kinda like the trees from the day before. I thought, welcome to Wyoming. I only saw one antelope, and he was eating right along side a small herd of cattle. I guess Wyoming is where the cows and the antelope play. An ode to safety in numbers?
It was amazing when we entered the Crow land surrounding Little Bighorn. I could feel the air change, and what had been empty grassland, now became rolling hills of history. It may just be my overactive imagination, but I swear that I could feel the hundreds of souls that had been lost in that battle blanketing the land. Kind of hard to explain, but it was almost a feeling of comfortable protection as we traveled through. Nevermind that I was so caught up in the cultural landscape that I forgot to turn! I guess the navigation ghost was on a break.
My poor orienteering skills however, were actually a benefit in this case, as we continued on I-90, crossed into South Dakota and took Hwy 16 south through the Black Hills Mountains. This was a beautiful drive. The road was fun, lots of twists and turns, much better than I-90. We passed through many old towns, rife with bikers, and ended up at Mt. Rushmore around three in the afternoon. Having the dogs and pigs in the car, we could only do a quick visit- but it was enough! Mt. Rushmore was magnificent! Just the thought that individuals (without the aid of computers) could carve something so large out of a mountain, well, I think that speaks for itself! Awesome! Next time we will be going to Crazy Horse's Monument as well, although, I thought that $10 per person was a little steep. They told me that I could CARRY my dog through the statue room to get to the viewing area. Hmmmm, no thanks! We will have to make a separate road trip to come and actually see the sights.
Back on the road, we made it back to I-90. Now, if I could only find that darn skeleton. I had Emma on the job, and while I was enamored with the cute little 1880 town on the side of the road (real? or a fake??) she spotted our target. I quickly pulled to the side and with a slightly victorious chuckle, snapped off a couple of photos. My day was now complete, and a sense of accomplishment filled my head.
A few miles later (not really sure how far, since I was still feeling so joyous at finding our friend!) we crested a hill to see the town of Murdo, SD. My thought? "Really? There is a Best Western in this town?" The first thing that popped into my head was the movie 'Twister'. You know the one, with Helen Hunt and the tornados? Ya, that was this town, complete with the water tower that has the name painted on it. Why do they do that? So that when the town is destroyed by a tornado, they have a way to indentify the 'body'? "Yup Bob, that was Murdo, see that thar water tower?"
Anyway, visions of tornados racing through my mind, I pulled off the exit onto the one-stoplight road, found the Best Western (yeah!) and got us all checked in. Phew. What a day. I like day three!
The morning is pretty uneventful, save the fact that I originally took us toward the Canadian border, but that only cost us about fifteen minutes- one to realize my mistake, the other 14 to find an exit that would turn us around! During this minor side adventure, I did get to take 'Exit 0'. I didn't realize that an Exit 0 could exist - does that mean that my exit was exactly on the Montana/ Wyoming border?
We traveled on toward our destination, through A LOT of grassland. Emma's comment was that it was neverending, kinda like the trees from the day before. I thought, welcome to Wyoming. I only saw one antelope, and he was eating right along side a small herd of cattle. I guess Wyoming is where the cows and the antelope play. An ode to safety in numbers?
It was amazing when we entered the Crow land surrounding Little Bighorn. I could feel the air change, and what had been empty grassland, now became rolling hills of history. It may just be my overactive imagination, but I swear that I could feel the hundreds of souls that had been lost in that battle blanketing the land. Kind of hard to explain, but it was almost a feeling of comfortable protection as we traveled through. Nevermind that I was so caught up in the cultural landscape that I forgot to turn! I guess the navigation ghost was on a break.
My poor orienteering skills however, were actually a benefit in this case, as we continued on I-90, crossed into South Dakota and took Hwy 16 south through the Black Hills Mountains. This was a beautiful drive. The road was fun, lots of twists and turns, much better than I-90. We passed through many old towns, rife with bikers, and ended up at Mt. Rushmore around three in the afternoon. Having the dogs and pigs in the car, we could only do a quick visit- but it was enough! Mt. Rushmore was magnificent! Just the thought that individuals (without the aid of computers) could carve something so large out of a mountain, well, I think that speaks for itself! Awesome! Next time we will be going to Crazy Horse's Monument as well, although, I thought that $10 per person was a little steep. They told me that I could CARRY my dog through the statue room to get to the viewing area. Hmmmm, no thanks! We will have to make a separate road trip to come and actually see the sights.
Back on the road, we made it back to I-90. Now, if I could only find that darn skeleton. I had Emma on the job, and while I was enamored with the cute little 1880 town on the side of the road (real? or a fake??) she spotted our target. I quickly pulled to the side and with a slightly victorious chuckle, snapped off a couple of photos. My day was now complete, and a sense of accomplishment filled my head.
A few miles later (not really sure how far, since I was still feeling so joyous at finding our friend!) we crested a hill to see the town of Murdo, SD. My thought? "Really? There is a Best Western in this town?" The first thing that popped into my head was the movie 'Twister'. You know the one, with Helen Hunt and the tornados? Ya, that was this town, complete with the water tower that has the name painted on it. Why do they do that? So that when the town is destroyed by a tornado, they have a way to indentify the 'body'? "Yup Bob, that was Murdo, see that thar water tower?"
Anyway, visions of tornados racing through my mind, I pulled off the exit onto the one-stoplight road, found the Best Western (yeah!) and got us all checked in. Phew. What a day. I like day three!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Day 2 of the adventure....(post by Ms. Emma)
We left Coeur d'Alene at 7:30 a.m. Did you know the whole top of Idaho is lesthan 100 miles wide?! It is 12:32 and we have seen 13 roadkill victims. We saw a sign in Durham, MT and it said 'World's Fastest Bull Shippers'- ha ha! Mom also squished Brodie's nose in the back window- ouch! (He is okay)
It is soooo super boring in Montana (mom thinks it's beautiful). All there is are mountains and lots of rivers; there are barely any houses or work stations- all there is are trees, trees, that is it. There are also some really weird billboards.
At the end of the day (around 5pm) we have seen a total of 35 roadkill victims today. :(
It is soooo super boring in Montana (mom thinks it's beautiful). All there is are mountains and lots of rivers; there are barely any houses or work stations- all there is are trees, trees, that is it. There are also some really weird billboards.
At the end of the day (around 5pm) we have seen a total of 35 roadkill victims today. :(
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Day One...Are we there yet??
Off to Indiana! We left Whidbey Island this morning, Em, me, dogs and guinea pigs...all in the Chevy Impala. Hmmm. Not quite as spacious as I had imagined, but it will do okay.
On our way today, we giggled at the Martha Inn in good old George, WA. She was looking a bit haggard and run down. We saw some beautiful landscapes, iron horses on a hill, and fields of wheat, sweet corn, and alfalfa.
Today felt a bit like a 'hurry up and get there' due to the fact that we were still in Washington and everything was still so familiar. Once we got into Idaho however, Emma was excited to be in another state.
In the end, it is exciting, yet a bit bittersweet. I do think that the record breaking heatwave holding the Pacific NW hostage right now did make it a bit easier to leave- as it was nothing like home.
On our way today, we giggled at the Martha Inn in good old George, WA. She was looking a bit haggard and run down. We saw some beautiful landscapes, iron horses on a hill, and fields of wheat, sweet corn, and alfalfa.
Today felt a bit like a 'hurry up and get there' due to the fact that we were still in Washington and everything was still so familiar. Once we got into Idaho however, Emma was excited to be in another state.
In the end, it is exciting, yet a bit bittersweet. I do think that the record breaking heatwave holding the Pacific NW hostage right now did make it a bit easier to leave- as it was nothing like home.
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