Today marks one year since we rolled into Athens, thus claiming it as "Home". What a crazy time that was for all of us, with getting used to a new town and a new house (and then another!) and new friends and a new job. But I have to say that it feels like we've been her longer, and Jason and I agree that our move here was a really great fit for our family. We have not had a single doubt or felt any regret about our decision to settle here, and we love it more and more every day.
Who knows what will happen when the kids are grown, but we feel like we have finally put down our roots and are embracing the community around us. We have some of the most wonderful friends, who surround us with love and support every day. And this town is filled with opportunities to learn and grow and be creative. We love it here. We are home.
Showing posts with label the move. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the move. Show all posts
rain, sweet rain
It has rained 4 out of the 9 days since we got to Georgia. Which is both glorious and bothersome. We have been parched for 2.5 years living in the desert, and Georgia has actually had such a terrible drought this year, so it is quite wonderful to be getting the rain. At the same time, the week you are trying to get settled into a new home is really not ideal for rain- and the dirty feet and dampness that go along with it. By the looks of it though, we will have some nicer weather next week. And by then the kids and I will be ready to start getting out for walks and other outings once Jason is back to work and the house is in order. So I'm not going to complain about the rain.
in which i am showered with gifts, over and over again.
The house was (is) still a mess. The kids wanted to go back to "that AWESOME library" again (it is such a cool thing when your kids are getting in the car to go home and you hear things like, "Wow thank you SO much for taking us to the library!!" Seriously.) so Jason took them all, including Lyle, so I could get some work done. This was gift enough in itself, my friends. I had a cup of coffee, checked my emails (first things first, right?) and then I proceeded to get loads of unpacking done, all while listening to music of my own choosing and actually being able to hear it. It was wonderful. I had begun to wonder why the family had been gone so long, but I was not about to complain. When they finally returned I was smothered with kisses from my sweet little son, who apparently had a ball at the library but missed me ever so much. And then everyone kept saying that Daddy had gotten me something and a very cool looking cardboard tube was placed into my hands.
What a wonderful surprise! The envelope inside was absolutely stuffed with gift certificates that are redeemable at a number of shops in the downtown area. What a fun way to try them out and learn my way around! And as if that were not enough there was also a gift card to one of the local coffee shops too. AND the promise that I will have plenty of opportunities to actually GO to these places by myself. Oh, my heart was all aflutter I tell you. This man is just the sweetest there is. He said it was for all the hard work I've been doing (like he hasn't!) I am one lucky girl.
What a wonderful surprise! The envelope inside was absolutely stuffed with gift certificates that are redeemable at a number of shops in the downtown area. What a fun way to try them out and learn my way around! And as if that were not enough there was also a gift card to one of the local coffee shops too. AND the promise that I will have plenty of opportunities to actually GO to these places by myself. Oh, my heart was all aflutter I tell you. This man is just the sweetest there is. He said it was for all the hard work I've been doing (like he hasn't!) I am one lucky girl.
an attempt to get back into it
So my little postcard project worked for a few days, but not as long as I'd hoped. Things just got so hectic once we left Texas- we both had to drive (I am used to lots of breaks from driving!) and we had 2 kids puking in Alabama. So very tired and not quite feeling all well, we arrived in Athens Tuesday and unloaded the truck, thanks to our wonderful friend David. Who seriously ROCKS.
It's been a crazy week- still many many boxes to unpack and some interesting obstacles to overcome (Try downsizing from 2.5 bathrooms to ONE! Where to put everything!) But the house is starting to take the form of our home, and we are getting to know our new surroundings. I'm going to try and make an effort to post a little something every day, just to get back into the swing of things.
Have a great Monday!
It's been a crazy week- still many many boxes to unpack and some interesting obstacles to overcome (Try downsizing from 2.5 bathrooms to ONE! Where to put everything!) But the house is starting to take the form of our home, and we are getting to know our new surroundings. I'm going to try and make an effort to post a little something every day, just to get back into the swing of things.
Have a great Monday!
rear view
I've been waiting for a long time to take this photograph. Goodbye, Fort Irwin!
We are on our way now, and I'll be posting Postcards from The Move (inspired by Liesl's Postcards from Michigan earlier this summer) over the next week or so while we travel and visit family on our way to Georgia. Watch this space for loads of exciting things coming up!
wow.
Would you take a look at that ticker over there?! 6 days left for Jason, which means only 4 days left for the kids and I. We leave Tuesday morning. I can't believe it's so close!
The packing is nearly complete. I'm getting down to that last stuff that you end up tossing into a box all together. The kids are starting to go a little stir-crazy, but Jason has been keeping a steady stream of fresh movies from the library to keep them occupied. And we'll have most of the day off today, since we are going to get his mom from the airport, which is a 3 hour drive one way.
Have a great weekend!
The packing is nearly complete. I'm getting down to that last stuff that you end up tossing into a box all together. The kids are starting to go a little stir-crazy, but Jason has been keeping a steady stream of fresh movies from the library to keep them occupied. And we'll have most of the day off today, since we are going to get his mom from the airport, which is a 3 hour drive one way.
Have a great weekend!
windows
For the first time in 2 1/2 years, I am glad this place only has a few windows.
We are cleaning the house ourselves, and the moveout inspection list is pretty lengthy. Thankfully we've had terrific weather, so the outdoor stuff has actually been somewhat enjoyable. All the downstairs windows and screens got finished today, as well as the doors. Jason is through with the back yard too, and we cleaned all the light fixtures in the house.
The fee for having the housing office clean for us is $430. Whether the work we've been doing is worth more or less than that, I do not know. But it's just the principle of the thing. I am not paying over $400 for them to clean our house! Instead, we've been working on it a little at a time, and we bought Jason's mom a plane ticket to come out and join us for the final few days of our time here. She'll be able to help keep the kids busy and give me a hand with whatever cleaning is left. A much better use of our money, if you ask me!
....and a new job!!
After a week of waiting following his interview, Jason finally heard today that he was accepted for a position as a Technology Transfer Assistant with the Agricultural Research Service (an agency of the USDA) in Athens. This was the very first job he applied for, and he worked hard to learn as much as he could about the work and be prepared for the interview, because he wanted the job very much. We are so thrilled to have this- the biggest of all our move preparations- taken care of. Now we can concentrate on the actual logistics of packing and cleaning and loading. And we have double paychecks to look forward to for 9 weeks, since Jason will still be within his paid leave time until December 15th. That sure will help when we are putting a down payment on a house in the spring or summer! Everything is falling into place so nicely.
new house
This is the lovely little house we will be renting when we arrive in Georgia. We found it through a listing in Flagpole Magazine, and a wonderful friend of mine went and checked it out for us and took pictures so we could see it (Thanks, Chris! We are eternally grateful!) We think it will be perfect for us while we are looking for a home to purchase. Hardwood floors, fireplace, carport, porch... and just look at that big shady yard! We are in love. And so thankful to have yet another detail of our relocation taken care of. Because that ticker over there is moving fast.
Jason starting officially "clearing" today (that is, taking care of all the paperwork, etc. in preparation to leave), and there are more and more sealed boxes stacking up every day. So much to do!
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