The Path South

Anticipating my fourth trip to Georgia via vehicle was more intimidating than the first three. The first trip was in 1995, the trip was not to Georgia, but through Georgia. On our way to Florida, my college roommates and I made some unexpected detours through Atlanta. Having survived, I count that as a trip. The second trip began on 4/22/1999, two days after the shootings at Columbine (I was a student teacher then and remained with the class for a couple days after.) I was going south to meet Erik in order to cross the border into Alabama to elope. The third trip was four months later, I was three months pregnant, my aunt was the primary driver-- as I was sleeping most of the trip-- and I was moving from Michigan for the first time. We lived in Savanna for a little more than a year before we made the trek north to Maryland. The third and fourth trips had some similarities: Lori was with us again, I was with child(ren)(one in womb-service trip 3 and 3 in seats trip 4), we took the same painful trip through Ohio, and both trips were made in the hottest possible time to move to Georgia. July. Hot. Humid.

Ah, now we'll only explore the most recent of these trips. Thankfully, the trip was completely uneventful. The cars were great, the travelling arrangements were livable and the kids were absolutely wonderful. See, when traveling with children, I operate on a couple rules: 1) stop every two hours unless the youngest two are sleeping to head off meltdowns; 2) I do not drive with the little ones past 10pm. Protecting these two rules, I believe, got us sanely through to West Virgina the first day and all the way to our new house during daylight the second day!

The kids reacted with, shall I say, relief to see the house. Basically the little ones could not have really cared a bit if it was not for the fact that they were able to get out of their seats. Wes was appropriately excited. I must say, Erik and I were as excited as Wes since we didn't even look at this house before buying it. We were considering the house next to it, but I can safely say we are quite pleased with our decision. Lori was just as excited since I had promised she could decorate the guest room however she wanted. I had to exercise executive priviledge over some of the decisions but am very happy with how it turned out.

It has been an adventure in home ownership, that's for certain. From installing blinds and fans in nearly every room to overseeing the laying of sod and obtaining countless estimates on landscaping, the past six weeks have gone by in barely a blink. I've started trying to salvage the grass in the front of the house as well as planting some ornamental grass and trying to find some scrumptious perennials I've had my eye on, all in the effort to win the yard of the month placard. I anticipate it will be next summer when I will have this shiny award. I need to have it. So I will spend all of my spare time crafting a worthy landscape.

The kids were in to the whole better the yard movement at first. Now that we've actually got some neighbors with kids, they've left me for more exciting social oportunities. When I go to pull weeds, it usually revolves around when one of the kids has a friend over to play with, and is almost always a solo venture. I have had tons of fun with the 3-in-1 lawnmower and the awesome weed puller I've acquired since moving here. Erik had his first experience with the mower last weekend. He did a fine job, so I'll let him do it again sometime. It has been a pleasure having a yard large enough to take care of and actually work up a sweat maintaining it.

North for the summer...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Summering in the Upper Peninsula is a rather interesting expedition. For example, in early June you may just be able to find snow in wooded areas. Another oddity is that you are practically stripping during the day to stay cool (central air only resides in senior citizen's homes) then buying extra layers at the local five and dime to get warm at night.

The first leg of the trip was to make it up to my sister-in-law's. We did that without much of a problem, staying well within in my 10pm driving limit. A quick snooze, some lunch and a quick hello/goodbye later we were back on the road to go 4.5 more hours north. I would have taken my customary Mackinac Bridge photo had I not washed my camera in the last load of laundry I did in Maryland.

Onward north... two days after arriving at our destination I came down with strep throat. I think the gods of sickness looked down at me and realized that I was actually resting and relaxing so why not strike me with a 103 fever, chills, lack of strength, appetite (woo hoo!), and function. I have to say we were lucky to be around our family because that would have been absolutely horrid to deal with elsewhere. While I was bedridden, Erik was golfing, traipsing around his acreage, and lunching with pals. The kids were galavanting across the Eastern UP to various natural parks, engineering festivals (what?) and getting spoiled by all who paid them attention. I luckily healthied up in time to greet my friend's little scrumptious baby boy. I tell ya, seeing them just after such a great event was one of two very special highlights to my end of the trip. The other fabulous event was seeing my longtime bosom buddy and her two wonderful kids. I have not had such a successful trip in years!

The 4th was, well, interesting. Erik was busy felling trees while I took my mom and the kids to a rather interesting parade of sorts. In this tiny little village of Kelden, named for one of my relatives (it seriously has maybe 20 or so houses, ok maybe more and everyone is related) there was a sort of community days. Everything from front yard, round the house out to the horse pasture golf; to a parade with anything from outhouses to deer props. My kids were perplexed. I assured them it was all fine, after all I grew up with that jazz and look how I turned out. Please refrain from leaving a comment about that last sentence. After all that excitement, we were able to make it to the fireworks for the second time that week (Canada Day is July 1 and we watched their celebration, too) in the Sault: pronounced Soo or Sue.

It was nice being able to squeeze in a fish fry or three, my aunt's retirement (note the lack of party), and a nice segment up even further north to see Erik's family. One small highlight was stopping at a restaurant, on the way up to Marquette, where we settled in for the seafood buffet. Yup. Seafood, on Lake Superior. As we sat down Gordon bellowed for the interesting bowl of white objects (creamers) which I obliged him. He immediately stuck the bottom of one in his mouth and bit down with such force the liquid shot across the room. I am not kidding. Lotsa fun there. It was great having Erik's mom to help out with the brood. After a day or two respit it was on up to Hancock for a visit with Erik's grandparents. The little ones were very intrigued with Papa Wes' harmonica playing. Donna and Gordon danced, demanded more, danced... it all played out like that for awhile before we made our way across the Portage bridge to Houghton.

The next day it was the big day for closing on our house in Georgia. The only requirement we had to do was be reachable by telephone. Note to self, cell phones are not so reliable in the sticks. It was a blast trying to sort out some last minute issues via the public library fax and our static prone conversations. The gods of real estate were with us, however as we finally sealed the deal. If you ever move to the Augusta, GA area give Andrea Bowles a call with Blanchard and Calhoun as I have to say she is the BEST realtor. After collecting Betty from Erik's grandparents and dealing with Wesley not wanting to take a sauna ( the first time declining in 6 years) we hit the road again back to Marquette.

Another couple nights having cocktails, going out to eat, and listening to chirping chipmunks it was the wind down tour of the UP. We bid Betty farewell, headed back to the Eastern end where we had to pack and head out of town. In the vacant spaces between running around with last minute to-do's, Erik managed to help Dave and David clear a place for my parent's house to be delivered and he took several walking tours of his beloved sand trap, oops! I mean 40 acres. He loves it and that's what counts. Wesley seems to love it as well, so at least I still have Donna and Gordon.

All in all, it was a splendid time in Michigan. I can gladly say I did not suffer any mosquito bites, which if I can say are the size of Maryland wasps and Georgia crickets. I was spoiled by great cooking, good company and wonderful times with my family. Even though I lost a week being sick, I feel like we did a lot. The next adventure to be written about is moving to Georgia... stay tuned!

Our last days in Maryland were very busy, packed with last minute celebrations with friends, ending another baseball season, attending great birthday parties, and just chillin' with the gangs. It all came to an end so quickly it hardly seems it has been over a month. I am so very fortunate to have had so much help scraping everything together.... How we ever could have done it without all my helpers I will never know. It was by the "skin of our teeth" as Jill says, that we sold our townhouse just as we were pulling out of town. (I'll tell you, closing on selling and buying a home through the mail is a much bigger pain than just sitting for two hours signing the 32 million documents.)

We sold by owner, which was quite a learning experience. I really do appreciate what I learned through the entire process and am unsure as to whether I would do it again or not. I will say that if any of you are looking to buy or sell in the DC area, I fell head over heels for a realty team that we met with when we were thinking our deal may not go through. A husband and wife team, this couple is dynamic and very practical. Visit their site if you are interested: http://www.crawfordandlee.net/.

Wesley was able to spend a couple days with his neighborhood buddies while Erik and I were overseeing the packing. He also squeezed in an appearance for the allstars team in the baseball organization he played for... this trophy lights up and that was cool.

Leaving was difficult for Wes. He misses his friends a lot and seems to want his new friends to fit just right. We are anxiously awaiting the start of football season, which should be soon. I am willing to bet it is a whole different "ball game" in Georgia over Maryland.





One of Donna and Gordon's last get togethers in Maryland was their buddy, Brendan's birthday. Held at Little Gym it was a really great time. I had forgotten how much fun kids are at the parachute circle when they are 1 1/2. Gordon had a great time. Donna has adjusted fairly well to all the changes. All the way to Michigan she was asking to go to sleep in her bed. In Michigan she wanted to stay at her friend's houses in Maryland. When we were in Georgia she was finally just happy to be able to find her bears.

Gordon has missed playing with kids in his age range (evidenced by the relentless torture he inflicts on other toddlers now). It is amazing how he has been picking up words. I do try to keep that in mind these days.

All in all we are doing well. Lonely, but making some progress in that area. Check back for updates....

The first snow..

We've been having a ton of fun with the first snow fall... it has left Wesley climbing the walls :). Gordon wasn't entirely too sure about his hands being cold or wet. Thankfully, he recovered to go on to enjoy himself.

70's in January

Earlier this month, we enjoyed weather well into the 70's. Erik quickly took advantage of this and put the kids to work. Here they are preparing to wash the car.

The first...

We will see how often this is updated... it is always good to have a goal!