Greener on the other side.

On a recent trip to Washington (State that is) we discovered a few things that Alabama does not have.

Roadside libraries. That's right, a borrowing system right on the street. How clever. If I had a house I think I'd be inclined to start my own little mailbox library. How about you? A little too close to the front door maybe? But such a nice idea, borrowing, sharing, neighbors. It felt very 'northwest' to see this little treasure. 

Alabama does not have ferry boats or....

Tall buildings

But they do have a serious shortage of sidewalks. I love sidewalks, the idea of walking without the fear of being hit by a car brings joy to my soul. 

Okay work with me, way off in the distance.....Alabama certainly does not have these, or anything like it. 

"The mountains are calling, I must go" John Muir

Age Gap

You know what I'm ready for? I'm ready for the day that my peers come back to church. I know it's not very trendy to want to get older, to welcome the years that are passing but for this I am more than ready. I'm ready to be in my 30's, the time I anticipate many folks settle down, have kids, etc. I'm ready for them to fit the stereotype we have all come to know.

"Oh wait, I'm in my 30's and now I have kids....I can't raise them without church"... And then they'll come find one. Maybe this is wishful thinking?

I'm ready for the day when I'm not the youngest one in Sunday School Classes or Bible Studies or on Mission Trips. Having stayed in the church circuit through my 20's I can safely tell you that this has all happened to me. I've gone on the mission trip and had the 20 year gap between me and everyone else. I've sat through the Bible Study with all the retirees and this last weekend Dan and I went to Sunday School together only to find we were the young couple again.

I don't want this to sound like I'm complaining because all of these things have made big impacts on my walk with Christ. I'm thankful for the opportunity and would still participate again, even given the age differences.

Some studies do validate my hopes and say folks will come back to church, but when they are good and ready. After they've traveled and moved around and lived a little. But I'm missing them now, I'm missing my peers who can relate to my stage of life, to my relationship with the Lord and who are our age.

Your thoughts, views?

A little of this and a little of that

It's happened, we have become more than just a face to the man at the liquor store but not for the reason you think. Liquors stores have great boxes, we (the royal we- it was really Dan) made our third trip this week with plans to return tomorrow.  Looking for small sturdy boxes? Look no further, some even come with handy slots for your drinking glasses. Also on the recycle route, think another man's trash is another man's treasure, is Ross offering new boxes every morning.

We downgraded to 'camping gear' last week. Two pans, one pot, a few good knives the rest is plastics and paper. Thank you Red Solo Cup.

Our pile of boxes is beginning to grow and grow- out from the dinning room into the living room but at least it's packed, right?

Biggest surprise of the week is that our work is having a going away social for us.( Dan and I work out of the same office.) I feel pretty special because I've seen people come and go and not get a 'party' AND because for the better part of the first three months this job created quite a bit of anxiety for me. Being new and all that entails offered a steep learning curve and there were many nights where I was sure I was on the 'wish we wouldn't have hired' list. But to my surprise we are having a shindig tomorrow with our coworkers- if only the Stephanie of January could have seen what's happening now. I can just hear my father's voice in the back of my head as he tells me to log this experience in my mind for future occasions when I fall back into worry.

We have big plans tomorrow to pack the car, clean the joint and hopefully be ready to split come Friday. We appreciate any and all prayers, if you're looking to be specific we need strength to load and clean and drive and say 'goodbye'.

Until later

I forgot that as this is our 

last week in our apartment, it is also our last week or so in Washington and our last time of seeing friends and family. I forgot that lasts equal saying goodbye, and I hate saying goodbye. I often try to avoid it since most of the time it leads to tears making everyone feel a bit uncomfortable. Tonight we had a lovely dinner at my brother and sister in laws place. It's been so nice to have them 'close-ish' this year. But tonight we said goodbye for now, until....let's just say until later. 

In other news, we continue to pack, and pack and then sigh with relief  knowing that we have a second vehicle because how did we ever get the idea into our heads that we could put all we need/want in one car? Dan stepped in to help me pack today. I was over analyzing things a bit too much and needed his go to spirit to get the job done. Really thankful for the second half of Team McCurry today!

Where's Waldo? Or is it where's Dan?

Final Week

Maybe it's a good thing my fabric didn't sell at the yard sale. It makes great packing material. 

No table? No problem, a cooler will work too.

One week left in our apartment. The apartment beneath us was getting new carpet today. It seems fitting, what with the Krisis gone and Dan and I moving on, there should be new beginnings for someone else as well. Someone else to enjoy the morning sun and golf balls splashing in the pond, someone else to enjoy the pleasant scent of Longview. 

Today we spruced up our van, getting it ready for the long journey east. Dan made bananna bread- did you know he could bake? Me either, the man has hidden talents. I packed more boxes, but really it just looks like I just shifted stuff around our living room, not really making a dent in what needs to be done. 

This week we went to lunch with one of the pastors at our church. He has a much better attitude about living here than we do. He was born and raised here and clearly has ties here that we do not. But I began to feel his passion for this place when he talked about God redeeming Longview. It is possible and it is necessary. 

Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad yard sale

Alexander wasn't really here today but you know what I mean if you've read the book. I'm embarrassed to tell you how much me made or rather didn't make on our sale today so I'll just keep that part to myself. I had such high hopes but if you're reading this to gain advice on how to move cross country here is my advice: don't bother with a sale unless you are in a terrific location. Dan and I came to the conclusion that we probably wouldn't go to a sale in an apartment complex either so can we really be disappointed?

I wouldn't say my morning was completely wasted. Since we had the sale in our home I baked cookies, washed dishes and made lunch all while strangers wandered in and out of my living room. I don't have to imagine the gasp from my grandmother- I heard it already yesterday when I explained that we were having the sale in our home. A little unconventional? Yes. But did I think  it was going to work for us, YES. Again dear readers I foresee better uses of your time then staging your house for looky-loos.

I took the lull in waves of traffic to upload more items on CL because even though people are a bit touch and go, I prefer the their go over our sale today. I also took this afternoon as an opportunity to rearrange our furniture, since we still have all of it. I thought it might be a nice chance for a change of scenery-literally. I moved the couch so that we can see the pond each time we sit down.

After my hopes were dashed today Dan took me to Burgerville to drown my sorrows in a fresh Oregon raspberry smoothie-mmmm tasty.

The Last

Today marked the last of something, at least I think it will be the last. The last meal to host the McCurry clan in our current home. (I forgot to take a picture when the table was at its best so you'll have to use your imagination)

This year I've had the opportunity to host my in laws in my home many times over. Sister in law, brother in law, mother and father in law too. It's been fun to use my new dishes and try new recipes. This year Dan and I decided to start eating vegetarian meals at home- saving meat for times when we eat outside of our house. My in laws have been gracious enough to eat my new recipes and forsake meat while in our house. 

We hosted Christmas, my first to host solo and my first Christmas with the McCurry family. It was a smashing hit. We had the most people our apartment has seen but somehow we made it work, 9 people and a tree.

I've cooked pesto pasta for Julianne and homemade vegetarian pizza for Jake, Julianne and John, enchiladas for Joanne and Kevin and chili and beer bread for....well, everyone. Today Kevin, Joanne and John came for lunch. Probably the last meal I will have a pleasure of having with them in our home in Longview. Today's menu: Garden Salad, Vegetarian Chili with Beer Bread -Thank you McGlinn's for your inspiration (today we used wheat flour though) and for dessert  Dark Chocolate Mousse. They say you aren't supposed to try new recipes out on guests but today I did. It was my first time to make the mousse. It was a little rich for me but my guests (and Dan) didn't seem to mind. I think it goes on the list of "do it again". Thank you McCurrys (and Clarks) for sharing in the memories or our first home, here's to many more meals together. 

Phase two, or is it three?

Enter phase....I've given up keeping track.I'm not sure there are phases to moving or packing just a steady stream of change. All I know is that I'm thankful I saved gift bags from wedding showers last summer, Christmas and Birthday, they've sure come in handy. We've sold our dresser and our desk, among other things, so we turned to the gift bags and shoe boxes to store our pencils and socks- how convenient?

30 days from now we will be setting up shop in Alabama. Meanwhile, we have started counting the final days of work here, we have all the directions printed for our trek east, and have started a pile of items to pack in the car and are preparing for our sale on Saturday.

If you lived in the area I would invite you to stop by our sale but I'm pretty sure none of you do. We're hoping it will be a smashing success and people will WANT to buy our furniture. We have been selling our items  on CL but with little success. I do have to give a big shout out to the nameless gentleman who bought our nightstand today. Our flaky customer #21 bailed yesterday so I gave this guy a jingle- well really a text- and surprise of all surprises he showed up today, cash in hand, to buy his treasure. I could have sold that nightstand 20 times if people were consistent with their first inquiry. But alas, its sold now and we are that much closer to funding our purchases in Tuscaloosa.

Holiday Weekend

This weekend we took a little trip to Wenatchee for  family BBQs, fireworks, church, friends and our annual float down the Icicle and Wenatchee River. A perfect way to spend a hot day. How did you spend your holiday weekend?

My sister Amy will be gone to Burundi the next time, the last time (for a while at least) that we travel through Wenatchee at the end of this month. I'm so excited for her to discover all that I love about Africa. Burundi was my first country in Africa too. Maybe this will begin a lifelong or a season long love for her too? Anyway, it was so nice to spend several days with the family, to say farewell to my love Amelia- say hello to Buja for me girl!

College Boy

The count is now at 3 1/2 weeks. How did that happen?

We are giving notice to our landlord today. That feels good, to move towards the goal. A lot of days I feel like we are just waiting for time to pass by so that we can load the car. Our house looks like, well, hmmm. When we toured homes in AL one of the condos we looked at was occupied by two college boys- boxes and bottles everywhere, garbage overflowing, odor permeated the place. There were cords strewn across the living room from the fan to the outlet and from the outlet to the gaming system. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned or unpacked since they moved in- it was gross. Our place isn't quite that bad but it has a nod of 'college boy' to it. Messy, unkempt, not the dazzling beauty I'd like to be. My husband has to keep reminding me that "we're moving" hence looking like I haven't organized....ever, is okay.

It's been extra difficult to go to work this week knowing what lies ahead. I'm hoping you can relate so you can empathize with how we feel and maybe remember to pray for us.

My wonderful husband took the car in for a checkup/oil change yesterday and we were given the green light for traveling cross country- sigh of relief from detail oriented wife.

I couldn't resist-sunset from our deck this week. 

We have sold and are trying to sell most of our furniture/belongings on Craigslist but sadly there are a lot of flaky people out there. I was so surprised and now surprise has turned into irritation. We have had numerous folks inquire, talk big, set up times for pickup and then....not show up. I just don't understand. So if you ever can't make your Craigslist pickup do us a favor and call, email, text, something so that we aren't waiting. Good news is our neighborhood is having a community garage sale day. We think we'll join in the spree and sell like crazy- hopefully. 

Exit the Krisis; better late than never

The day we have waited for all year has finally arrived. We-being the new couple we were- did not preview our apartment prior to moving in, we knew it would be cute, and that it had a great view and we did see the model unit but when we came home post wedding and honeymoon we met our neighbors- cue the sound effect dun dun dun. Oh do we have stories to tell. Since this is the internet and most everything can be found with a little stalking I'll spare you the details but there were many nights of crying, not by Dan, and frustration.

After 10 months we have learned to cope with the stench of weed, the limited vocabulary, the infamous dog call (after our own session of stalking we found out their dog has its own facebook page) and the noise- did I mention we live next to a rap artist? But today we learned our neighbors are moving out. We waited to do the happy dance until we got back to the privacy of our own apartment, but believe me there was one. I know we only have 30 days left in our place but it will be the best 30 days here! And what better time than now when the weather is  begging us to sit on the balcony and enjoy the view. 

Thoughts and Views

My husband has a little saying that started with his family and has now become a part of ours. He likes to say  "tell me all your thoughts and views". Today I have a lot of thoughts and views.

We sold our second car last week, somehow it makes leaving seem real now. Blogging, packing, planning, none of that made our move seem like it was really going to happen but selling the car has.

Dan's grandparents can still remember their first home together, shared during their first year of marriage some 60+ years ago. They like to say "there is something special about your first home together". Our first home has not been perfect, especially if you've heard us talk about our neighbor who is a rapper, but even so it has been our first one together and I would agree there is something special about it, a place I hope we will remember fondly.

We have 7 weeks left now. We've decided to travel the northern route. Our first night is booked- we are staying in Glacier!

Thank goodness for my two sister in-laws who have both had yard sales this month. Instead of having our own we passed our boxes and bags off to them. Even if it doesn't sell I feel better knowing we tried rather than just giving it all away.

Side note my herb garden is coming along, just in time to pass it off to someone else. I was really looking forward to some fresh pesto and salsa but I'm sure they have herbs in AL.

Sneak Peak

Before moving we saw two options ahead of us. Option one: go down and find housing before driving cross country so that when we arrived we would have a home. Option two: drive cross country and stay in a hotel for a few days once we arrived while we found a place to live. The decision came when we talked with those currently living in AL, their advice- find housing ASAP. And so we are, soon in fact. Aren't you excited to hear about our discoveries? I know I'm excited to discover. We are going down for a few days this month to find a place to live.We'll get a sneak peak into our future lives, and so will you.

We are on the hunt now, hoping to set up some appointments for our days there. Scouring the internet in hopes of finding just the right fit, but we have learned by experience- that is a whole new blog post entirely- that there is only so much you can know without a proper walk through. Even with your 'house hunter wish list' in hand you can't know unless you go. Next week we'll get to see with our own eyes what AL is all about and hopefully find our next home sweet home.

Natural Disaster

My husband found this article today as he was surfing the web. I'm not sure if I'm comforted or nervous but it's an exciting article because Wenatchee made the list! Wenatchee does not often make the list. I'm a little unnerved though because according to the map we are moving to one of the top 10 places with the highest risk of natural disaster- gulp. Interested to know more? Check it out at: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/01/weekinreview/01safe.html?src=tp&smid=fb-share&_r=0

The Mighty Columbia

When I finished the 8th grade my grandparents took my brother and I on a camping trip to Grand Coulee, WA. I don't remember much about the trip, 8th grade was a while ago, but I do remember we went to a light show at the dam nearby. I seem to remember a fight with my brother, throwing shoes at one another and most importantly the narration during the laser light show. The voice kept repeating the history of "The Mighty Columbia", think deep and powerful voice now. It has become a joke between my husband and I, every time we cross over it or drive to it (which is often living in the Pacific North West) he somehow gets me to quote "The Mighty Columbia" in my deepest voice. Today we went to "The Mighty Columbia" to take some pictures for the blog. Imagine, I didn't have any-shocking I know. This part of the river separates Oregon from Washington- pretty cool huh? As opposed to East Wenatchee from Wenatchee. The one at the top of the blog will stay for now but here are a few others I'll share with you today. We came at just the right time as two tug boats were leaving after having directed their cargo safely to the port nearby.
 

Trash to treasure

Our neighbors our infamous for throwing out what seem to be perfectly good items. I've seen mirrors, fans, BBQs and even couches leaned up against the trash can, cast aside by their owners.  It seems odd to me that you would throw away decent items, why not sell them or donate them? Especially when 250 of your neighbors drive, walk and live by the trash receptacle. How could you just spread it all out there for everyone to see?  But today we scored a treasure! More like 10 treasures actually. We found 10 cardboard boxes (undamaged by the rain) laid out next to the bins. We were coming back home after a walk and  in quiet whispers we plotted our move. We grabbed three and kept walking, hoping no one saw us pillaging the recycle pile. As we got closer to our place I began to think of how little space they would take up in our place and how lucky we were to find them, we didn't even have to buy them from someone in town- how great! While these thoughts were going through my head I quickly ran back for more. To the new neighbors who just moved in I say welcome to the complex, and thank you for your donation to our cause of moving cross country.

Spring Cleaning

I've started going through our belongings. Reaching under the deep abyss of the bed, and to the tops of the pantry shelves. We have some great parents who have agreed to store our stuff for us, at least some of it, the scrapbooks and winter wear I'm sure we'll do without in the humid south. What doesn't go into storage is being donated, sold or taken on a very long road trip. The items that make the cut have to be pretty special in order to be hauled around for miles and miles. We contemplated a yard sale but seeing as we have no yard and no garage it would be more like an open house/come buy our rejected belongings day. And since we have no tables to put said rejected belongings on we pitched the idea just as easily as we are pitching yesterday's treasures. What I'm amazed to find is that my priorities have changed. What I once thought was essential to have or to hang on to is now being cast aside. Some of my things I rarely used or held on to for several moves thinking I may someday need it. Like this great little DVD player that I bought at Wal-Mart for $20 six years ago and have moved three times now and not having used it in 6 years now is being donated next to the canning jars and custom made dishes I bought in Malawi- they were actually pretty fantastic but now seem a little unnecessary. It feels good to clean out and divide, to pear down to the essentials. We are selling items on the famous Craigslist, hoping that someone out there wants to buy our lightly used furniture. I think we are at a good place in our lives to be making the move- not that there is a wrong time but we have no house to sell, no kids to pull out of school and no big commitments keeping us here. Yup, I'd say it sounds just right. We are down to 11 weeks now, that may seem a little early to be cleaning out our stuff but it felt like the right week to start. One thing I will miss, one thing we can't pack up and take with us is our view from our back deck.

We sit on a golf course, which is a little like having a movie play in your backyard. There is always some sort of activity happening- golfers, someone mowing the lawn, birds and animals in the pond. It can be very entertaining, especially when the golfers have to go digging in the pond for their lost ball. If only I could somehow find a place to pack all of that into the trunk...

Little Red

We're selling my car when me make the trek to the land of Dixie. I'm about to get a little sappy.....this last year I got married. Marriage has been a great adventure but at the start of our marriage I found myself in a new town, making new friends, finding a new church, shopping at a new grocery store, living in a new house and working at a new job. Did you catch all the NEW. There was one teary night when I just couldn't handle any more NEW and I found myself really thankful for my car, it wasn't new at all. We've been on many trips together, my brother has borrowed it, my dad has borrowed it. It welcomed me back from Africa many times. We've spun out in the snow together. I've taken it to camp and to college and to visit my then fiancee. We've been hit by a deer together and listened to loud music together. My brother and sister in law have driven this car before and would probably disagree with my respect and attachment to said car but I would disagree with them. Yes, it's not the best or the coolest, but it runs well and its not NEW! I'm thankful that it was consistent to my pre and post married life. But now we are leaving. Goodbye little red car-you've been faithful. On to the next season of new. 

Prepared

I don't know about you but it really helps me to be as prepared as possible (I think I missed my calling as a boy scout). Confession: before I got married I went to the library and checked out at least 20 books that pertained to the topic, if I'm gonna do this I'm gonna do it right. Sadly there are few books that talk about traveling from Washington to Alabama and as you know- not many resources online either but that didn't stop me from researching. I've been 'googling' like mad. All about trips and moves and southern lifestyles. And yes, I even went to the library too. There is something about knowing ahead of time what I'm getting myself into that makes the process so much calmer. Praying for a prepared heart and mind helps too. My husband is what we like to call "a free spirit", he is much more inclined to fly by the seat of his pants, you couldn't pay me to approach life the way he does but that's what makes us so great. He is ready for this adventure, ready and willing to take it as it comes, to travel and move and try something new. I'm ready too but with a little more hesitation. I'm ready to create spreadsheets of all the phone numbers we'll need upon arrival, I'm ready to find a place to live once we get there and hopefully within the next 11 weeks I'll be ready to move. I don't think my stack of books from the library can bring about the attitude my husband takes to all of this but maybe with a little prep I'll be one step closer to ready.

To the south

Well.... we are moving....to the south. Never been to the south before, at least not to the deep south. There is an adventure calling our name and we are sure not going to miss it! In an effort to prepare, I do love to prepare, I looked long and hard to find fellow Americans who had a journey similar to ours (packing up and moving, selling everything, driving, discovering new) but I found just two experiences that were shared on the web. JUST TWO! So I'm thinking either not many do this (that thought makes me cringe when moments get stressful) or they are too stressed during the process to write about their experiences (moving is stressful enough, not to mention moving + new job + new town + new friends....trust me I did that already last year) In an effort to combat stress (blogs are very therapeutic) and share with others (now there will be three cross country moves to read about) I'm writing it all down. The process before, during and after- you'll read about it here. My mother will love to hear that we're still alive! And hopefully you'll love to gain a little insight on what it means to live outside of the Pacific North West and in.....ALABAMA! Roll-Tide!