I'm here....

Well, it is done. We are now in Cincinnati. For better or for worse. The 500 mile, over 9 hour trip (with stops) went REALLY well considering we made it with a 75 lb dog named Moose, two twittering birds in cages, and with visibility only out the front window. We stuffed, literally stuffed, as many possessions as we could fit in my mini van. If we found a little vacant hole...we stuffed a salad dressing bottle, whipped cream maker, bag of grain, or other "necessity" into it. I don't know if we will be living in this apartment for a few weeks or a few months so I was reluctant to leave my other possessions behind.

Even more overwhelming was leaving my two grown children behind. I know that they have matured to great young adults, very independent, people I am proud to know. Still, I am horrified not to be able to just visit them at a whim. Not seeing them on a daily basis is a great loss for me. But I comfort myself with the great reality of modern technology like emails, skype IM, and facebook. It was also very difficult saying goodbye to my mom and dad. They drove their SUV with us to Cincinnati carrying as many of our boxed possessions as possible combined with their suitcases. After spending the night in the girls' twin beds, they left for a slow five day trip back to Georgia, cruising through the Kentucky, Tennesee, and Georgia mountains and stopping at points of interest.

We have now settled in our Kroger-provided temporary furnished apartment. The boxes are unpacked. We have purchased a cheap Target desk and shelf for our computer and many school books and have even resumed schooling as of today. Considering I now have no job or church responsibilities, I have reverted back to homeschooling mom and Suzie housewife demeanor, cooking all nutritious meals from scratch, clipping coupons, and hosting reading-out-loud marathons to the girls, things I haven't had time for in years. While it is a refreshing change for us, it was also like running a long marathon and then hitting a brick wall...the stop was so sudden...we didn't know what to do with ourselves. But I'm sure we will adjust soon and wonder how we ever did all that stuff before!