The Vacation is Over

Well, that week went by quickly.

It is hard to believe that two weeks ago we were still in Springfield. I am glad we decided to take an extra week off before starting work. We haven't actually done anything, but it is good to take a break. I imagine that we will both be swamped come next week. We both seem to put extra pressure on ourselves to do well, especially when we are starting something new. I am anxious to see what type of project I will be working on.

Thursday night Christian had to attend the CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) RDC (Regional Development Center) annual business meeting. Being the "wife" I had to attend, too. It was a good opportunity to meet many of Christian's co-workers. Everyone seems very nice. We already got a couple of dinner invitations. The historic preservationist (who had given me the list of architects to send my info to) came up and whisked me away. She took me to the outside of the building we were meeting in to show me the plaque that said my office designed the building. It was the pavillion at the headwaters of the Savannah river. She then explained some of the history of the canal, various outbuildings that had recently be renovated, and to tell me some of the local museums that we had to check out.

Last night we went out with our across the hall neighbors. Last week, Christain had meet the guy and he said they would get together with us this week and go grab some dinner. I was overwhelmed at the hospitality. I mean, I would expect a "welcome to the neighborhood/ city", but not "let's go get dinner", too. Well, they had left a note on our door inviting us to dinner Thursday. Obviously, that wasn't good for us, so we made plans for Friday. They drove us around to some of the nearby trailheads, and then we went for pizza and beer. They seem like a really nice couple. We also seem to have very similar ideals. That is good, because it seems our "liberal" opinions are the minority. She is from rural West Virginia and he is from New York. He is a medical student and she is getting a degree in Public Admin./ Public Health. Very interesting.

So, here we are, settled in. Potentially with new friends and close to family. Even with all of this, I am very much looking forward to January. We get to go to Belize for 8 days, but more importantly, we get to see a couple of our friends from Springfield. Even with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, that is the highlight of our future plans.

Well, today we will be watching Clemson (go Tigers) vs. GA Tech . Later this evening we may go to a local coffee house and check out a Bluegrass band. Tomorrow we will probably take the bikes out on one of the trails. Busy. Busy.

Looks Like We Made It

If the title of this blog has gotten that song stuck in your head ... you're welcome.

We are officially residents of Georgia. Well, I guess that is not entirely true. I guess that we will become "official" when we get our drivers license updated and register to vote. But, nonetheless, we are moved in and mostly unpacked. There is even some food in the fridge.

Last week was one big blur. Last weekend we said our final goodbyes to our closest friends. It wasn't as sad as I would have imagined. I guess because we fail to believe that it was really "goodbye". We will see everyone again, and that makes it easier. Monday, the movers showed up around 8:30. By 11:30 our house was empty. I kept busy cleaning, so I didn't allow myself any sadness over leaving our first home. Monday night we went out with our neighbor for sushi. Yum, yum. We spent a few hours hanging out with them, then went to our empty house, blew up the air mattress and tried to get a few hours of sleep before waking before the roosters.

Tuesday we got up, finished packing the car (and the cats) and were on the road by 5:30 am. The cats were fun. Our vet, Ted Hammacker, gave me some tranquilizers in case we needed them. I decided the cats typically did okay in the car, so I was going to try the trip sans-tranquilizers. Well, they did not want to get in the small cat carrier, let alone together. After a number of chases around the house, and a few scratches on the hand, I finally got both cats in the carrier. Mocha was not happy and kept hissing at Pickens. Well, we got the carrier situated in the car and closed up the house. When we backed out of the drive, it hit me. We were leaving. That house is not our home anymore. A few tears were shed, but I was able to compose myself before we were out of Springfield.

I napped for a couple of hours and when I woke up, we stopped for a cup of Joe and a Crossanwich. Burger King has some addictive advertising. The remainder of the trip was pretty uneventful. We did stop for lunch and put food, water and litter out for the cats. I think they were pretty traumatized, because they did not even get out of the cage.

We pulled into my dad's house in Walhalla, SC around 8:30 that night.

The next morning we once again left the house at 5:30 in the morning to make it to Augusta by 8:00. The movers actually beat us to our apartment. By noon, all of our stuff was in our apartment. We went and bought a washer and dryer (my first) and headed back to SC with a load of stuff that would not fit into the apartment. Thursday we headed back to Augusta and started unpacking. Did I just pack all of this stuff? Why didn't we just leave it and start over when we got here?

Thursday and Friday we were able to get most everything unpacked and arranged. Friday the cable guy came and set up our cable and internet. It was so nice to finally be connected! Saturday we headed back to SC with another load of stuff. We also were able to attend the 1st birthday party of the son of my best friend from high school, and have dinner with them afterwards. It was good to finally see a friendly face.

Sunday it was back to Augusta. Hopefully, we won't be doing any major driving for a few weeks. Wednesday my dad and youngest sister are stopping by for dinner on their way from Florida to SC.

All in all, I think this is going to be good. Adjusting to apartment life is going to be interesting, but we know it is temporary. It will be good to start work next week and get back into a regular schedule. I certainly miss the comfort zone of Springfield and all of our friends there, but I feel like I am home. I just wish I could bring everyone out here.

Packing Sucks

Step by Step

We have eleven days and a few hours left in this town.

Our guest room is piled with stuff we will sell Saturday.

We met with a real estate agent today.

It is all becoming very real. However, I am not finding myself sad or depressed.

We have spent six great years in this community. We have felt a lot of pain and pride. We have encountered people that have helped us grow (from both very positive influence and very, very negative influence). We bought our first house here. We have been involved with countless architectural, planning and community changes. Some were fought for tooth and nail, some came very easily. We can look back at our time in Springfield and know that we did something. Maybe not much, but we had a part in making the city and our community a better place. We are blessed.

But now we must go, and I am not sad. I am looking forward to the next city and the next set of opportunities. We have experience now. We can use our recently gained knowledge to better another neighborhood. We will be closer to family. We will get to attend birthday parties and performances. We can help my dad start a garden again. We have so much life to live that it is hard to be sad.

Yes, we will be leaving a lot of great people. People that will never be replaced. Some we will see again, some we will not. But all will be remembered.

This city and those who have crossed our paths have helped to shape us. It seems that we have both changed more here than any other time and place in our lives. Maybe it's maturity. Whatever it is, Springfield is a part of us. The memory and experiences will be forever etched in our minds and our hearts. We will tell our children about our adventures here, about the people, about the places. Eventually, some of our ashes will return for a final resting place.

But I am not sad. I am happy to have had the experience. It was our "Big Adventure".

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