Finally home

So we made it.

We’re here in Virginia. And it feels more like home than Searcy did. Just the atmosphere. The ability to shop at a real grocery store, and not Wal-Mart, alone has made it feel like we’re in the real world, and not the island that is Arkansas.

Work:

Work is good. So far so good I should say. I feel like I’m catching on rather quickly. They’ve been letting me know that it’s been slightly slow. I was hoping so. I have enough work to get me about halfway through the day, and then I kind of sit around and wait for something to do. Well, kind of. I’ve been doing a little bit more of my old job due to unforseen circumstances. Not a bad thing, but it has given me more to do. I like the people. It’s different working with younger people as opposed to mostly people who have reached the average halfway point in life. There’s a little more interpersonal drama than family drama. But I guess that’s just the ebb and flow of life and your priorities.

Apartment:

We definitely like this apartment more. It’s older, and slightly more ghetto. But there’s more room. And I definitely feel more secure here than in our old apartment. We’re on the first floor. But the first floor is slightly underground — the windows begin where the ground begins outside. I suppose not having such a huge window by the bed is a big draw. I miss my old washer and dryer. And sometimes, especially on the cool autumn nights we’ve been having lately, I miss having a porch. But I think we like this place better. Much more conducive to entertaining. I think JD is getting used to it.

The Move:

The move went pretty well. I’m glad that Sean’s new boss when it comes to decisions is a little bit clearer when communicating. It was obvious that moves with his company are generally 100-250 miles away, not 900+ miles away. But we got here. With most of our stuff in one piece. And we’re mostly unpacked. JD hated staying in the hotels. Especially when we had to sneak him in and out under a big fleece blanket. Hopefully we won’t be moving half way across the country every again. At least if I have anything to say about it….

The husband:

Things are great. It’s hard to believe that on the 30th we will be married 9 months. Kind of crazy. I think the fact that we’ve moved halfway across the country and still seem to be going strong says a lot. I’m slightly spoiled now. He’s working 8am to 6pm and has off on weekends until the store opens. When the store opens, it’ll be interesting. I have a feeling he’s going to be at work a lot.  He loves what he does, and that makes me happy.  I like knowing that the only reason he dreads going to work is because he has to get out of bed next to me.  I am truly loved, even when I don’t deserve it.

Weight Watchers

Well.  I joined again.  I’m weighing heavier than I did because of the move.  But it wasn’t healthy weight loss either, so it doesn’t suck too much that I’ve gained some of it back.  Hopefully we’ll be joining the gym soon.  I miss working out.  I never thought I would, but it just gives me so much energy.  And sometimes I need that.  Especially on slow days like this at work.

So, life is good. So far at least.

One More Week…

…and we will packing the U-Haul!

That’s a little overwhelming.  Don’t get me wrong, I am so excited to be starting in Virginia.  But man, about two months ago, all Sean did was call his District Manager to mention that he was interested in information about the store opening a little North of Richmond.  Here we are two months later packing up all our earthly belongings and moving 1000 miles across the country.

Sean’s side of the family is headed our way this weekend to help Sean and I pack.  Originally they were going to make the trek across the country with us, but with Jackey’s blood clots, extended travel is not ideal.  So they’ll come visit us now, and hopefully sometime this fall too, once we’re settled into our new apartment.  We hope they fall in love with the area like we did.  Maybe they’ll move up near us too….  That would make things so much easier.  But, I know we both hope to make a long visit with them next summer.

The only real negative about the move (besides the horrendous amount of packing) is Weight Watchers has gone out the window.  I’ve been at a plateau.  Well, I gained a few pounds after I gained my appetite back.  My appetite when on vacation when I was worrying myself sick about moving.  A job offer and knowing Sean’s store would be opening cured me quite quickly.  But since then, it’s been staying the same.  Still about 30-35 lbs less than when I started, but not yet close to my goal.  I’ve researched some WW groups and gyms to join, but they may wait until October once we’ve settled in and have steady income.

Not that we won’t have income, but my company’s payroll is two weeks behind.  Not a horrible thing later, but most certainly will make September a little tighter than it’s been as of late.  We’ve got some savings we can dip into if necessary, but we’re both hoping to leave it alone.  Moving is expensive.  And although his company has a pretty great relocation package, there’s still expenses they don’t cover and some that we have to shovel out the money up front.  Not to mention the jump in cost of living.

But keep us in your thoughts and prayers the next few weeks!  We’re going to need them!

Thank you, God!

Our trip to Virginia this weekend was a success.  Not without a hitch, mind you.

The day before, we find out the opening of Sean’s store is delayed.  It kind of stinks.  It’s three weeks further back.  But, I don’t mind–Jenel’s told me I can crash at her place if I need someplace to stay while I wait for Sean to be able to move.  Until Sean’s current boss starts talking.  He said, “In my experience, when store openings are pushed back more than 3 times, it’s likely the store won’t open.”  So, that sends us in a downward spiral.  We wasted three of my vacation days and $800 to fly out and not do anything. 

After psyching ourselves up, throwing up several times, and learning that if the lease on the building of the VA store is signed it will open, we head out around 5:30 am Tuesday morning.  As we are standing in line trying to find a rental car, his future District Manager calls to let him know, yes, the lease is signed, and yes, we can rent the $80 a day SUV that is the only available vehicle.  The whole trip turns around.  My stomach stops feeling like it needs to empty its contents and starts feeling the butterflies of my upcoming interview.

So, in short, we love the Ashland/Richmond area.  It’s beautiful.  It has all the creature comforts of home, for both of us.  The people have the Southern attitude, more similar to Sean’s home than Searcy.  The places are some of my favorites–Wawa, Panera, Coldstone, Friendly’s, Rita’s. 

His store location is great.  Ashland’s a town like Pitman and like personalized, hometown business and would rather reward that than traveling far away.  I mean, they’re known for fighting Wal-Mart.  The reason his store’s delayed?  There’s no door.  They need to cut through a brick wall to have a big window and a door.  And it’s the strip center’s manager who is falling down on the job. 

My interview went great.  An hour interview turned into 1.5 hours that had to be rushed through at the end because they all had an 11:30 lunch date.  Of course, for about an hour, I had no one else to celebrate with.  So I left messages and waited for phone calls and Sean.  Eventually the phone calls came, followed by Sean coming back.  We then found an apartment, paid our deposit.  The thing that’s kind of exciting about that, it’s probably going to be one of our last rentals.  We hope that given a couple of years and saving, we can make an investment in a home.

Yesterday was spent mostly traveling.  We returned home to the neediest JD we have ever witnessed.  He would not stop yelping.  We spent some quality time with him, played our new Mortal Kombat game, and then headed up to the Traveler’s baseball game.  Let me tell you, the luxury box is the only way to properly watch a baseball game.  All the food you want.  Under the shade.  If it get’s too hot, airconditioned room with plush leather couches to lounge in.  Especially with a cute boy to rest your head on and ask dumb questions about what’s going on.

And today.  Today I was offered the position of Staffing Coordinator.  I can’t even explain how much relief and excitement that means.

God is good.  All the time.