Today was a day filled mostly with driving. We all slept late this morning, or later than lately which meant 7 am. I slept great last night for the first time in probably a week so it was awesome. We hit the road around 8:30 and stopped for breakfast about an hour later. Other than a quick stop for gas and to fix sandwiches it was driving the rest of the time. The kids have done really great with all the riding. I have been pleasantly surprised. Collis has his moments, but has been good for the most part. Lila hasn't complained a second about all the riding and has been documenting all the states we are going through in her journal. She is excited about traveling to so many new places. We finally got to San Antonio about 4 pm and after some minor issues with construction we got checked into our hotel which is right on the Riverwalk.
For the record, I LOVE San Antonio. Immediately upon getting here, I fell completely in love. The atmosphere and history here is just amazing. I think it will definitely make it on my short list of retirement possibilities. We spent some time this afternoon walking on the Riverwalk and had an awesome dinner at this Mexican restaurant. It was amazing! Now we are settled into our hotel room, the kids are bathed and I am considering a cup of coffee on the balcony(without the kids). Tomorrow our plans include a trip to the Alamo, more exploring on the Riverwalk and maybe a stop at some of the missions. I am sure my camera will be working overtime.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Day 1 Part 2
Day one of our cross country adventure is coming to a close. We sent the afternoon in New Orleans and are now settled into our hotel in Lafayette, LA which leaves about 7 hours until we get to San Antonio. We will be in San Antonio for a couple of days.
I really enjoyed New Orleans this afternoon even though it was a very short stop. We spent some time walking around the French Quarter which I loved, especially the street performers. They were awesome. I wish we would have had more time to peruse the antique and art shops, but with small children and limited time, we avoided then for the most part. I have to admit that I was a little shocked about how dirty it was, especially canal street. ICK
I was also very sad to are how much of the devastation from Katrina is still evident. There are so many homes that are still destroyed and entire areas that are deserted. I guess I was expecting it to be so much better since it has been 5 years. It was heart breaking.
I wil try to post pics as soon as possible and hopefully write a longer post, but my laptop cord is missing, so I am relying on the ipad for now and the virtual keyboard is giving me fits. For our family and friends who are reading this, we love you and miss you.
I really enjoyed New Orleans this afternoon even though it was a very short stop. We spent some time walking around the French Quarter which I loved, especially the street performers. They were awesome. I wish we would have had more time to peruse the antique and art shops, but with small children and limited time, we avoided then for the most part. I have to admit that I was a little shocked about how dirty it was, especially canal street. ICK
I was also very sad to are how much of the devastation from Katrina is still evident. There are so many homes that are still destroyed and entire areas that are deserted. I guess I was expecting it to be so much better since it has been 5 years. It was heart breaking.
I wil try to post pics as soon as possible and hopefully write a longer post, but my laptop cord is missing, so I am relying on the ipad for now and the virtual keyboard is giving me fits. For our family and friends who are reading this, we love you and miss you.
Day 1
It's day one and we are officially on our way. We are a couple days later than we planned, but bumps in the road are expected. Thank goodness for fabulous friends and family that helped us finally get through packing and loading and on the road. It is hard to believe we have left Columbus and are headed to Washington to live for the next three years. Saying goodbye to friends and family was hard. Saying goodbye to my mom was gut wrenching. However, I am very excited for the adventure in front of us. First stop is New Orleans and from there San Antonio.
We hit the road at 0-dark-30 this morning with a quick goodbye to Cory's Dad and Step-Mom. Luckily for us, the kids slept until breakfast time. We pulled off at an exit that boasted a Waffle House and ended up at a little family restaurant with a country breakfast buffet that was awesome and cheap which made it even better. So, if you ever stop in Defuniak Springs off I-10, try McLain's Family Steakhouse. Now, the kids are watching dvd's quietly in the back seat and we are about 2.5 hours from New Orleans. The weather is beautiful and traffic is fairly light so far which is good.
We hit the road at 0-dark-30 this morning with a quick goodbye to Cory's Dad and Step-Mom. Luckily for us, the kids slept until breakfast time. We pulled off at an exit that boasted a Waffle House and ended up at a little family restaurant with a country breakfast buffet that was awesome and cheap which made it even better. So, if you ever stop in Defuniak Springs off I-10, try McLain's Family Steakhouse. Now, the kids are watching dvd's quietly in the back seat and we are about 2.5 hours from New Orleans. The weather is beautiful and traffic is fairly light so far which is good.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Making It Real...
I’m normally a light and shiny kind of person, but this week, I had to do two things that made this move real and made me a little sad. I had to put in my resignation at work and my notice to the children’s daycare that December 30th would be their last day. Both were pretty intense and just seemed way to “final” for me.
I’ve been at my company for 10 years. I would be lying if I said every moment was joyful and that I’ve loved every minute of every job I’ve held, but it would be a bigger lie to say that I’m not thankful for the time I have spent at such an awesome company. It has been rewarding, stressful, enriching and so much more. I have learned so much about both me and how a fortune 500 company SHOULD be ran. I’ve learned what it means to truly have ethics in business and believe in the company for which you work. I’ve also learned what it means to love the people you work with and how sometimes, those people not only help you make it through the work day, but through life. My fellow employees have been there for me not only when I am overwhelmed by a project, but also when I’m overwhelmed by life. With a husband in the military and 4 mid-east deployments under our belt, that support has been invaluable. There is my work neighbor who is always willing to lend an ear and share a tear; my Work BFF who I can always count on for an asinine response to my griping and her “sincere” sympathy; my boss, who originally promoted me to an analyst and who I am so glad that we ended up back together before I have to move; my friend R, who inspired me to do Iron Girl and the group of girls who helped me survive both the training and the event itself; my dear friend J, who even though I don’t remember her from training, I will never forget. Who else can instantly cheer me up with bubble gum cigarettes and website filled with de-motivators?
As for the notice at the daycare, I’m sure for most, this would seem rather inconsequential, but for me it was huge. I have been counting on the wonderful people at the daycare to be a second mom to my children for over 6 years. Had it not been for Ms. Bonnie, I’m not sure I could have ever continued to work after my first child, much less do it again with my second. With my first, I think I cried for a week, but with number two, I knew I was leaving him in the very capable and loving arms of Ms. B. and while I missed him, I didn’t worry for a second whether he would be cared for and loved the way I wanted him to be.
So this week I put those last dates on paper and signed my name, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad. I feel as if I will be leaving so many wonderful things behind. In some ways I wish I could just follow the advice I give my daughter when she trips because she isn’t paying attention and say, “Look where you are going and not where you’ve been.” I am trying my best to focus on the adventure that is coming up while remembering that the places I’ve been have prepared me for what is lying ahead. In the mean time, when I catch myself being sad, I’ll just pull out a candy cigarette and let my inner child imagine the fabulous things to come.
I’ve been at my company for 10 years. I would be lying if I said every moment was joyful and that I’ve loved every minute of every job I’ve held, but it would be a bigger lie to say that I’m not thankful for the time I have spent at such an awesome company. It has been rewarding, stressful, enriching and so much more. I have learned so much about both me and how a fortune 500 company SHOULD be ran. I’ve learned what it means to truly have ethics in business and believe in the company for which you work. I’ve also learned what it means to love the people you work with and how sometimes, those people not only help you make it through the work day, but through life. My fellow employees have been there for me not only when I am overwhelmed by a project, but also when I’m overwhelmed by life. With a husband in the military and 4 mid-east deployments under our belt, that support has been invaluable. There is my work neighbor who is always willing to lend an ear and share a tear; my Work BFF who I can always count on for an asinine response to my griping and her “sincere” sympathy; my boss, who originally promoted me to an analyst and who I am so glad that we ended up back together before I have to move; my friend R, who inspired me to do Iron Girl and the group of girls who helped me survive both the training and the event itself; my dear friend J, who even though I don’t remember her from training, I will never forget. Who else can instantly cheer me up with bubble gum cigarettes and website filled with de-motivators?
As for the notice at the daycare, I’m sure for most, this would seem rather inconsequential, but for me it was huge. I have been counting on the wonderful people at the daycare to be a second mom to my children for over 6 years. Had it not been for Ms. Bonnie, I’m not sure I could have ever continued to work after my first child, much less do it again with my second. With my first, I think I cried for a week, but with number two, I knew I was leaving him in the very capable and loving arms of Ms. B. and while I missed him, I didn’t worry for a second whether he would be cared for and loved the way I wanted him to be.
So this week I put those last dates on paper and signed my name, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad. I feel as if I will be leaving so many wonderful things behind. In some ways I wish I could just follow the advice I give my daughter when she trips because she isn’t paying attention and say, “Look where you are going and not where you’ve been.” I am trying my best to focus on the adventure that is coming up while remembering that the places I’ve been have prepared me for what is lying ahead. In the mean time, when I catch myself being sad, I’ll just pull out a candy cigarette and let my inner child imagine the fabulous things to come.
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