Leaving Virginia

This is probably just going to be a rambling - but I think I just need to put my thoughts down.

Leaving Virginia really is hardly even bitter-sweet. In a few cases it is - and those cases would involve friends. One other case would be all the historical things there are around here to see. But beyond that, not so much.

Jay and I have talked about the fact that we have really already mentally checked out. He is finishing a class tonight and then he can really focus elsewhere. For me, I'm not working now, I'm finished going to knitting and we just attended our last worship service this past Sunday. I've had breakfasts, lunches and dinners with friends as has Jay - and really, we're now just waiting for the movers to arrive on Thursday.

We've seen pretty much everything we've wanted to see here as far as monuments and museums go. We would have liked to go to Gettysburg again - but that can happen sometime in the future I guess. We've enjoyed the cherry blossoms and Dorothy's red slippers. We've seen battlefields and statues. We've had fun at the Spy Museum and been teary eyed at the Holocaust Museum. We've viewed art and scenery.

Beyond that, we've made some wonderful friends and been a part of some terrific worship.

All that said, I've had the side of my car scratched up more times that I can even say because people are so careless in my parking lot. It seems like it's every man for himself here. I know that doesn't seem fair - but nobody seems to care if they knick your door.

I've been honked at over and over because I'm not a trigger moment quicker out of the starting gate when the light turns green.

I've been a part of traffic that is so annoying and had my bumper ridden every single day because people are in such a hurry to get where they are going - the stress level in this city is incredible.

We've not had close friends. Everyone is busy. Everyone gets home from work at o'dark thirty and leaves at o'dark thirty and don't have time. We've only been invited over to one family's house for dinner. A knitting friend of mine invitited us over but we were unable to go - but that certainly was appreciated! :) I have one friend who I could call and say "Do you have time for a cup of coffee?" and she would say yes. Otherwise, it would take practically an act of congress to find a time with anyone else.

One little comfort zone has definitely been my knitting group. I've felt "at home" there from day one. Those women are for real and know how to share their hearts. That - I will miss.

Ok - so. Now that I've moaned on and on, I am saying this. I'm ready to move on and I'm ready to make more friends and find a place in the south. I'm anxious to settle in our new home and anxious to find the church where God wants us to be. I'm eager to find out how we can serve Him.

We certainly have been blessed here - and for that, I am thankful. Our move has also been a gift from God. Another chapter is unfolding. Stay tuned.

A Bear

Thursday morning, we took a drive through Shenandoah National Park - as a reward for working so hard on our packing! It was a beautiful morning and we got out early enough that the park was not crowded and the animals were still out looking for breakfast.

This was our second time there. The first time was a year ago over the 4th of July and I remember being so disappointed that I didn't ever see a bear.



Well this time I was rewarded with a bear sighting! We were just driving along and this little black bear wandered across the road. These pictures really aren't very good because I took them in such a hurry - I didn't want to miss the photo opportunity!



He wasn't afraid of us at all - in fact, he was rather curious. I didn't see his mama - but then, I didn't go out looking for her either. She might not have been quite so receptive to a human.

It was just fun to see this bear. In fact, it amazes me that they are out there. A bear.

I'm pretty sure there are no bears in Kansas. Are there?

In Three's

Well, it happened again didn't it. Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett and now Michael Jackson. I'm not trying to say it is fate or coincidence or anything at all. I'm just saying - it "always" seems to happen in threes as far as Hollywood stars deaths go. Just strange.........quite a week for Hollywood.

The New House

We found our house in South Carolina and so today, I've been "exploring" it and mentally making notes so that when I go back to Virginia, I'll be able to remember what I want to do when I return.




The lady who owns the house let us go ahead and make a key before we return in July so that we could go in and clean etc. Today I spent time putting new shelf liners in the kitchen drawers and cabinets. It was so quiet and nice and I really enjoyed it!



We've already met some of the new neighbors and I'm anxious to have a coffee pot to put on for guests!



It was hard being patient until the right house became available for us - but this one is just what I was hoping for.



I'm anxious for lots of guests - we have a spare bedroom so start making your plans!