For the Birds

Back in the 1940s there was an enchanting song written about "when the swallows come back to Capistrano" but there must be some kind of unlovely difference between swallows and robins.  For the past week we've had hundreds of dive bombing robins taking up residence in our neighborhood. Apparently they are migrating south for the winter and every year they make a stop in Franklin...on our street. It's sort of been like the Alfred Hitchcock movie. I didn't feel sorry for the one that attacked our car and lost.

We are making progress on our boxes. We have about 15 boxes left and then the stuff for the walls.  Yesterday Bruce bagged up about 6 dumpster loads of paper for the recycling center. Today we tackled some yard work. There were bushes that were in serious need of whacking, overgrown and encroaching on the house gutters and roof. We raked and trimmed and the place is starting to get shaped up.

Saturday was so nice we decided to take a break and drive over Leipers Fork to eat at Pucketts, and afterward we strolled into some of the shops. Ran into a woman from Davenport who owns a boutique there. She actually lived in Muscatine until she was a year old - her dad taught at one of the middle schools - last name was Hughes. And her husband works for Nutro, same as Bruce. Freakishly small world!

Simple!

I've decided that food in the South is pretty simple.  There is no food pyramid since there are only 2 basic food groups...starch and sugar.  Oh wait, make it 3, because I forgot about fat.  It is wonderful! Everything tastes good. 

Thanksgiving was amazing - I don't understand why it's called comfort food when eating it causes discomfort...mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, potato salad, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, pecan pie and coconut cake. And of course, cornbread dressing (it would have been called cornbread stuffing if it had been stuffed in the turkey, but I was also informed by another source that then it would also be called food poisoning).  I'm learning so much!

Going to the grocery store is nothing short of an adventure.  One can find boxes of pork chitterlings, canned okra/ mustard greens/tomatoes, and other assorted items that don't appear regularly on shelves back in Iowa. I have not seen an Iowa Chop yet. I was feeling pretty worldly yesterday when a store associate asked me if I wanted a buggy, and thanks to my tutors, Gina and Linda, I expertly replied, "Yes, Sir, I do. Thank you." And I accepted the shopping cart and strolled away. Thanks, Friends! :)

Yea!

I was in the grocery store today AND RAN INTO SOMEONE I KNEW!!! It was great. Back in the dairy section my neighbor from across the street, 2 doors down called out a cheery greeting. Manna to my soul!  Also kept me from chatting to random strangers just so I'd have someone to talk to. :)  Bruce and I talked it over on the way down and we decided that no one is going to come to us, so we will have to be relentless and aggressive at introducing ourselves to people. I also called a group that reaches out to new transplants in town - hope to connect with them this weekend.

Bruce is a happy man - the TV people were here today and so his evenings have a little more normalcy. A little ESPN can do wonders for a guy. On a scale of 1-10, I'd say today was a 7, and not half bad!

Excitement!

Who knew it could be so exciting? I found another pair of earrings today - they were in my makeup bag.  I didn't realize that wearing the same pair of earrings for 8 days straight could cause crankiness - maybe it's because they are aqua.  One of these days I will discover the box that contains the rest of my collection.  But for today, I was pleased to have a choice!

At Barnes & Noble tonight for my daily infusion of internet connectivity. Bruce and I had planned on purchasing a dining room set to replace the set we left behind, however, I found that after weeks of constant decision-making, I was rendered unable to make a choice on the furniture. I should have gone shopping before we moved and before this temporary madness set in.  Speaking of madness, the M key on this computer has to be brutally depressed in order to work - cuts down on the WPM considerably. Also makes me want to find words without Ms in them.

Tomorrow the TV guy comes, and Friday the internet people. It's all good! I volunteered to make a green salad to bring to the Thanksgiving dinner at our neighbors - it was as though I had just announced that I was married to my brother.  Green salad is akin to a sacrilege at a Southern Thanksgiving dinner, apparently. :)

My Assignment for Today

I assigned myself the task of going to the local public library today to do normal tasks like sending email, posting on the blog and collecting information from the web.  I've already emptied several boxes this morning, and with a certain amount of industry, will have the kitchen and dining room completely intact by the end of today.

Visited an adult class yesterday after church where a man recovering from pneumonia quipped, "I've always told my wife that she was dearer to me than my next breath, however, when I found myself unable to breathe, she went to a tie."  I'm kinda there, gasping for that next breath figuratively, finding some sort of new identity and equilibrium in a place where I am unknown, my "normal" is in disarray, and nothing is easy yet. Hence, my assignment to get out of the house and go to a familiar, normal environment, the library. Had my first job in one, spent the better part of 9 years in one with home schooling and was on the library Friends board for 18 years.

It's weird, but in a way it's almost easier than church, because there are no expectations here, no doctrine to sort through and there is instant, unbiased fraternity, if that makes sense. I think I'm learning something really important about unconditional acceptance in a rather unconventional way today. Love it! 

Also realizing the power of gratitude today and the equally negative power of comparison. When my focus is comparing what was or what could be, or what others have including stuff, relationships, or whatever I think I should have instead of what I do have, I am vulnerable to the disease of bitterness, and blindness to God's incredible love and goodness. So my heart is in a place of peace today as I soak in the comfort and power of the love of God, and reject the insidious sense of entitlement and ingratitude that so easily distracts me from truth. "God's nearness is my good" and "in His presence there is fullness of joy."

So for today I have an internet connection, a quiet place where nothing needs to be done, and a place to sort out my thoughts. I've had my major "funeral" for the losses incurred in the move, so I'm glad to have that behind me - I'm sure Bruce is too. (OK, I'm sure he was a little worried when he found me on the floor of the big closet crying on Saturday.) I'll still have my moments, I'm sure.  "You're gonna LOVE it here!" is the mantra of Tennesseans. Can't wait for that to be true!

Quote for today: "Frogs have it made. They eat what bugs them."

P.S.

Splitting a half order of Mickeyroo's Bull Strings (very thin deep-fried onion rings) with Bruce last night for an appetizer was a really bad idea.  All day today it was a really bad idea...I didn't know my stomach could speak in tongues - at least it was a language I've never heard before...

Home in Franklin

OK, that's a lie.

It doesn't feel like home and it was actually a pretty rough day.  The movers didn't know what to do with our 40% reduction in storage, so the garage is pretty full right now.  I would post pics, but we don't have internet at the house and won't for another week or so, so this is a post from a neighborhood Starbucks. I think my brain has been sucked dry by decision-making for 8 straight hours.  But the good news is that 80% of the kitchen is put away and our bed is made, so tomorrow bodes well for a day of progress on the garage.

Wonderful new neighbors stopped over and brought subs and apple pie & ice cream tonight and invited us to join them for Thanksgiving. Amazing!  I've met two other neighbors so far and I'm hoping the fact that I have no personality right now (I think it's transplant shock) won't put them off too much.

So, we're off and running!  I'm grateful for the One Who formed and holds my heart - peace in the transition.

Sunny Day

Please note the terrible lighting in this photograph.

We are SO grateful for the myriad "small things" that have eased this journey, including the blinding sunshine today.  Our stuff has been staged in the driveway and the loading is taking a couple hours less than projected. There is no need to wrap and protect as would be necessary if it was, say, snowing, raining or sleeting.

Our wonderful neighbors have fed us, housed us, loaned me books for the trip and are feeding the cats until the new owner arrives.  It looks as though the planets have aligned and the paperwork will be completed to accommodate the pressure cooker schedule - load today, close on Ridgeview tomorrow, in Tennessee on Thursday and unload on Bancroft Way on Friday. Amazing!

We are truly grateful for the kindness of people and our God.

The Day Has Arrived!

The packers have arrived.  It isn't even 10:00 in the morning and half of my kitchen is in boxes already. Deja vu - it was an Atlas Van Lines truck that pulled up to the door before 8:00, the same van line that delivered us to the door here almost 20 years ago.  But the kids were 6, 5 and almost 2, instead of 25, 24, and 21.

It was easier 20 years ago - we weren't trying to figure out how to register a school car that was being stored in Iowa for a student "away" in Arizona who has no Iowa address and whose mail is being forwarded to Tennessee. Insurance for it has been interesting, too, to say the least. More hoops this time.

The cats are outside - I pulled Punky out from under the bed in our room, and Abby slept in a chair in the basement until the noise got bothersome. They are both outside now, Punky most likely under the front porch, cowering, and Abby is probably stalking rodents or mooching from the neighbors.

We are grateful for Carolyn & Al next door who are feeding and housing us tonight. Last time they fed us pizza was when we had the flood in the basement and they came to our rescue. (I'm seeing a pattern here.) Girlfriends are coming to clean tomorrow afternoon, and tomorrow night our small group will be eating tacos together and we'll stay with Gale & Dave. So appreciative for kind friends!

Curious

I'm trying to use up the food in the freezer, and yes, I thought it was curious that the ground beef patties I was cooking smelled like bacon.  They hadn't turned into a weird science project or freezer burned into something unrecognizable. They were plain old burgers but I could detect an unusual, distinct woody-smoky aroma.  I kept bending over to smell them, trying to determine if they really were the source. I even checked to see if I had scorched the front of my vest, but it was fine. And that was when I spotted the wooden spoon under the edge of the pan, resting up against the burner, smoking away.  Really was a nice touch!

The cats were vocal and excited that Bruce came home today - especially since he brought really yummy cat treats. It's one way to ensure a warm welcome. :)

Gettin' There

Yard raked.  Check.
Oven cleaned.  Check.
Freezer defrosted.  Check.
Piano has a new home.  Check.
Christmas letter written.   Check.
Extra furniture ready to give away.  Check.
Cats have spent 24 hours outside now. Check.

We're getting there!

Popcorn and cooked apples and an ice cream sandwich tonight. I can eat whatever I want these days, or more accurately, whatever is left in the house. And tomorrow I pick up Bruce from the airport, Sunday Michael moves out and Monday the movers arrive. Next week at this time, if all goes according to plan, I'll be sleeping in my own bed in our new house.

(This all still seems breathtakingly swift. I try not to think about it too much...)

The Final Push

I didn't post yesterday because it was a sad day for me and I don't like to bleed in public.

Today my hair looks good, I'm wearing colors that make me happy, and most significantly, I spent enough face time with Jesus to get some badly-needed perspective. It was a BEAUTIFUL day yesterday, with blue, blue skies, gorgeous trees - our subdivision was just plain lovely. I was feeling the loss acutely, of leaving friends, our home that embodies so much sweat equity and tender care, our cat companions of 12+ years and leaving familiarity, identity and "known-ness". Today I have the courage to embrace the pain that loss brings, in order to gain the benefit and growth that change brings. One day at a time!

So I'm almost finished cleaning out, and yesterday was the day to tackle the leftover malaria and parasite-induced diarrhea meds from various world travelers, the outdated cough syrup, aspirin and eye ointment.  The triple antibiotic ointment had an expiration date of 2003, but it seems to have been working fine the last time we used it. I was pretty amazed by the collection I accumulated.  (Took it to a local pharmacy for proper disposal, for those of you who were hoping I didn't flush it and thereby add it to the local aquifer. )

My thanks to Peggy who came and completely fumigated the hall bathroom yesterday - now that is a labor of love!

Death by Paperwork

No doubt, the process of moving over state lines competes for the highest honors for creating more jobs and paperwork and therefore the felling of more trees than, say, the U.S. government.

I'm at the place where I want to hurt myself.  Insurance companies (multiple, since I'm getting quotes), lawyers, title companies, realtors, abstracts, banks and county treasurers and recorders all want a piece of the action. For the upteenth time I've assured the asker that yes, it's true, Bruce and I share the same birthday and I did not misspeak. Over and over again, I assure agents that our 21-year-old student is not an ax murderer or cause for doubling the insurance premiums.

I realized the administrative nightmare was getting to me when Bruce called in last night and I wanted to play a version of the bad marriage game, "My Day was Worse than Your Day" or in my case, "My Life is Harder than Your Life." Haven't played that since I had small children who all decided to get a stomach virus and diarrhea on the same day. It's never a smart game to play and doesn't promote good communication, so I decided to suck it up and deal with this for another 5 days.  I'll make it.

For now, I'll just recite drivers license numbers or SSN until I fall asleep.

What day is it?

OK, that's how I really feel.  I had to check to see if I remembered to put on a (don't look, boys) bra this morning. Truly. I think I'm always trying to remember something - even though I have all kinds of lists. Putting on clothes wasn't on the list though. Oh well, this weekend I'm hanging out with my parents and sister, and that means fun. And Scrabble. Which is fun, too. I'm trying to use up the food in our freezer, so I'm taking a chicken-spinach lasagna and cherry cobbler dessert with the cherries Michael and I picked at the Finleys the day the tornado popped up over the bluff in July.  I drove home fast that day.

I want to know why it is that one small overlooked tissue in a sweatshirt pocket produces the equivalent of a shredded bath towel all over the clothes and in the bottom of my washing machine. Maybe it's the same principle as the loaves and fishes. I always wondered how Jesus did that.

Got my tutorial on how to translate and pretend I understand the "Southern" dialect last night at small group, which included the nuances of northern and southern Louisiana, deep South, Northern Florida (a.k.a. New Yorkers) and, of course, Tennessee.  They might just be some of the funniest people on the planet. My face still hurts from laughing. Ummm...that was a gift.

The Stars!

I've been told by more than a few people that there are a lot of recording stars living in the Franklin area. But they weren't on my mind this morning as I walked to the mailbox to get a few more details cared for by virtue of the U.S. Postal Service.

There was fall crispness in the air this morning before the sun was up, with just a sliver of the moon left in the sky. Orion, the constellation that graces the southwest horizon at this time of year was twinkling over the trees on the bluff.  And then it hit me like a ton of bricks - I'm going to be living in town now and I won't be able to see the stars as well because of all the street lights!  Ack!

I'm more enamored by the stars of the heavens than by the ones who make a living by entertaining people. However, a friend of mine challenged me to not be a reverse snob - to discount people just because they are famous.  So I'm open to loving stars...all of them!

White Rabbit

Today is the first day of the month, which means it is time to say "White Rabbit!" first in order to win. You don't really win anything, except bragging rights for having been first. I got Bruce with a text message between flights this morning, and think Pete will stumble on to the blog and get nailed, maybe Amy, too.  Em is taking written prelims today, so no chance of her coming up for air. (MJ can go several days without noticing that we are now in a new month.)

Sometimes I don't even say it. Sometimes I soap it on the bathroom mirror, or send an email with a pic. This was a particular favorite of mine - the white rabbit that was really a black rabbit and I added the message, "You've been duped."  Another fun one was the time I put a little pile of black beans on the floor in their rooms with a little note by the pile that said "White Rabbit," or maybe "White Rabbit was here." Don't exactly remember right now, but it was a ton of laughs. (If you're thinking those people are easily amused, you're right!)