Week 1ish

Last Saturday marked DAY ONE of our month-long vacation before we make our move to CO. When is the last time you took a month-long vacation? It's kind of a trip. Literally and figuratively. Zinger!!

I thought that I would feel anxious and irresponsible all month. All I feel is calm relief and a strong sense that we're doing the right thing.

After the final mop stroke at Ledgewood last Friday evening, J and I made our way down to my mom's house in the country. There was no celebration; we were all too worn out from moving. (Mom was a huge help, and did all of the heavy lifting. Literally. It was kind of humorous to me that my husband and my mom just assumed they would be lifting the heavy stuff and that I should stick to the easy stuff. She is an Amazon woman, and I love her for it.)

Sunday Mom, J, Sunny, and I started the day with coffee on the front porch. Then we walked over the neighbor's house and picked fresh green beans for dinner. Afterwards, we took a trip down to the creek. We batted away horse flies with broken branches, avoided cobwebs, and waded calf-deep in the cool creek. All before 1:00. Life is good!

Justin and I have made our way down to his mom's house at the beach. Yesterday (July 4), we celebrated America with a bunch of sun-burned rednecks on the beach. Happy 237th Birthday, America!

Otherwise, we've been hanging out with the family, boozing, and tanning. Can't beat the "Salt Life" here at North Myrtle. Although Sunny may disagree as she is confined to the porch, and the heat/humidity is ungodly. Today and tomorrow - more of the same!

Colorado or Bust

My Aunt Deb is an artist. For as long as my childhood memory extends, Aunt Deb created her own Christmas cards for her and my Uncle Steve, which I loved receiving each year. The cards normally featured their pets in strange, humorous situations. One year for Christmas, our family received a card featuring a drawing of their dog and cat, hitched to a sleigh with a sign attached reading “Colorado or bust!” My Aunt and Uncle were following their hearts to Colorado that year, apparently being towed in a sleigh by their pets. That card has always stuck with me…

NEWS FLASH - Justin and I are taking a page out of their book and doing the same. Yesterday marked the last day at our jobs, and we are leaving for Colorado late July. Surprise! Colorado or bust!!!

So to answer the basic questions we’ve been getting:

• We're planning to live downtown in the Mile High City... Denver!

• No, we don’t have an apartment lined up. (Working on that.)
• No, we don’t have jobs lined up. (Working on that.)
• Yes, we have personal reasons for going out there. (Adventure counts, right?)
• Yes, we want an adventure before we settle down to a mortgage and children and the whole ‘adult’ thing, which we’re so talented at delaying. Gotta be good at something, right?
• Yes, Sunny is coming with us. Poor thing has been so anxious all of June as she watches us pack up the only home she’s ever known. Most mornings when I walk out to my car, she runs ahead of me and stands by the car door, as if to say, “You’re not leaving me!!”
• Annnd last but not least, why Denver? Because, OK?! Geez. :)

So anyway… Sayonara Charlotte, friends, family, and the only home we’ve ever known. May we meet again someday.