9.15.2008

well, here we are...

So, we have settled in and are enjoying Connecticut. Last weekend we drove around much of the northwestern part of the state. We found some great state parks, camping sites, climbling spots and rivers to paddle. It was great fun. John is getting into the swing of things at school, and I am learning a lot about my students...which has been interesting. Needless to say, it is very different than my job in Georgia. Most recently, John's Subaru broke down and seems to be unfixable, so we are a one car family right now and I have been bumming rides home from a nice girl at work...hopefully for not too long, we are looking into buying a new car...but, only new to us...

8.14.2008

10 states

Ok so...we havent been able to get on the internet at our new house yet, but we have discovered the local library, which has free internet, so I decided it was time to post these pictures and tell you about the move. The day after Matt and Julie's wedding, Aug. 2, we picked up the largest moving truck I have ever used, and spend Sunday and Monday morning packing. Thanks to John's parents, and Andy and Crystal, we were able to fit everything in...I wasnt sure we would need all 26 feet of the truck, but we did, so thanks Penske for the free upgrade. My parents came over on Monday morning to see us off, and we stuck to our schedule, and pulled out of the driveway at 10. The trip was slow going, since John could go only 70 in the truck. I managed to get pictures of each state sign as we crossed over. When we got to Pennsylvania, at 1 in the morning, we stayed at a very shady motel to get a few hours rest. Then as we were parking the truck, we realized that we didnt have a lock for the back of it, and believe me, it was not the type of neighborhood where we wanted to leave it unlocked. So, I set out in search of a lock, and thankfully found a gas station somewhere, somehow that was open and that had padlocks! We actually got some sleep and then left at 9 the next morning. The second day driving was much better than the first because we went through upstate PA, through some really nice mountains, into New York, again through mountains, not sure what they are called...maybe the Catskills....I tried to look at the maps and take pictures while I was driving...I dont recommend this in the future. When we crossed over into Connecticut, John decided it was time to actually use the rest area for what they are intended...the whole trip I had been saying "let's pull over and let Parker play; it will be nice to take a break". But, alas, the only one he wanted to stop at was on the New York Connecticut border...the last one...I guess if I had to drive that truck though I wouldnt want to waste time either. So, we stopped, and actually met an older couple from Ellenwood GA. Go Figure. After we stopped it took about 1.5 hours to get to the house. Needless to say we were very excited to be done with the trip. That was on Tuesday, the 5th. Since then we have been unpacking, exploring, sleeping and just generally enjoying our new neighborhood. One of my favorite things about this area is the lack of fast food places and chain establishments that seem to have taken over the south. I really appreciate the local businesses here. We are also near an establishment called Blue Back Square, which is similar to Atlantic Station, and which we have enjoyed walking through. The whole area is pedestrian and bike friendly. We went to price some bikes yesterday so we can start not using our car so much...I am hoping for one with a basket on the front! Next week I start working, orientation and such, and John will start preparing for school. We are starting to feel at home here and are really glad we made the decision to move here. Parker is starting to feel at home too. There is a park literally around the corner from our house, and he knows exactly how to get there...he could probably go by himself if we let him. We are getting Comcast to come our to house on Monday to do all of the hooking up that needs to happen so I will be updating more frequently in the future. Hopefully you can follow the sequence of the pictures below...I tried to put them in order...happy looking!

7.28.2008

ben lucy hala dog

so on saturday night, we got to spend some time with some good friends who made us some good dinner. And, we got to take Parker who played with Hala, their dog, in the big park near their new house...which is awesome by the way!! I think their little boy will have a great time growing up there. Sunday we went to church at Northside and then that night got to hang out with some church people...props to pastor todd for pulling an all day stint at the church and then driving to meet us for mexican...which was fun; we are going to miss him and meredith, we always have a good time together... Today John went to the doctor for a physical and he had a cavity filled...it was an exciting day of waiting rooms and nurses...I got to have a facial though, thanks to my cousins who gave me a gift certificate to spa sydell last christmas...if you have never had a facial, I highly recommend thier services. I think tomorrow we are going to get a new camera battery because I would like these posts to be a little more visually appealing...so get excited about that!

7.26.2008

dinners

well, this coming week, our last in atlanta for awhile, we have plans every night with people....friends parents brothers sister-in-laws..but, we are excited about seeing everyone this past week, we were fortunate enough to go see my aunt in conyers and she made us lunch while we put together her new grill...no pictures becuase john has not replaced the 12.00 dollar battery that it takes...I have already asked for a nice camera for christmas...anyway, no picutres, but we were happy to see my aunt and spend the day with her...she gave us a vaccuum cleaner, some crystal pieces she was going to get rid of, and some other gooides... last night we all dinner with john's brothers and thier girlfriend and fiance....one of the last few times we will all be together before matt and julie's wedding...it was fun, we ate tacos.. more later this week while we are packing and eating and hanging out with people...

7.18.2008

2 weeks

Well, we have about 2 weeks left in Atlanta before we move. I have a new job, we have a new house, John has a new school. We are really excited about moving, but I don't think the reality of everything has set in quite yet. We are trying to see friends and family who we will most likely not see until Christmas when we come home again. John said something last week and I am starting to agree - "When people are close to you physically, you take them for granted." He couldn't be more accurate because as we realize how far we are moving, we are also realizing how much we will miss people who mean so much to us. We will keep everyone up to date on our happenings in Connecticut, and please, if you are ever near Hartford, let us know!! We would love to see you! And, I have recent pictures of our crazy summer that I will post soon!