Packing again...

I'm packing today but just a suitcase. I'm heading to KC tomorrow for a week of real packing. We still have some 'stuff' in Sarah & Keith's garage that I need to go through and pack what I want to keep and donate the rest. Then, I go to my parents' house to pack their belongings. I have attained the title 'master packer' years ago so I don't need to keep doing this and I am hoping there won't be many more times that I have to.

We have determined that Texas is where we belong. No matter how many times we leave, we still end up coming back. Our plan now is to find a place in San Antonio or the area around it to permanently call home.

I'm certainly looking forward to the first weekend of March because by that time everything in KC should be here and put neatly away. Just in time for spring...a time of new beginnings. We will all have lots of new beginnings this year...new jobs, new homes, new surroundings, new things to do and places to see! A really exciting time. As I told Travis and Sarah when they were young and we moved...a new adventure! I know that I am looking forward to it and I think everyone else is, too! So, back to packing this suitcase!

Grandma Moore

Eighteen years ago today, my grandmother on my mother's side passed away from complications of pneumonia though most of the family was unaware that she had even been sick. It was a really sad time for me. I just cannot believe that she has been gone for 18 years. It just doesn't seem possible. Maybe because she is in my thoughts so often thus making it seem like she is still here. She was a very special lady and that is not an exaggeration at all. She was my 'mother' figure. I have a mother but because my dad left and chose to not be around when I was growing up, my mother had to work as many as 3 jobs at a time to keep 5 children out of an orphanage and together. That didn't give her much time to do 'mother' things with her children. But my Grandma stepped in and helped when and how she could. I hope she knew how important she was in my life and still is. When in doubt about how to handle situations, I often think about how she would handle it or what would she do and that has helped me so many times. She was kind, caring and compassionate. Even after 18 years, I still miss her dearly!

Moving, moving, moving

Everything here is pretty much in place. The main focus now is the move at the end of the month. Sarah and Keith are moving down here and so are my parents. We are going back to KC to get the rest of our stuff and help with both of their moves. I'll be going up earlier than Allen so I can get our remaining items sorted and packed and pack up my parents' house. My brother is helping them with the cost of their move so once everything is packed up, the movers can get their stuff and bring it down. Allen and I will be loading our stuff and helping Keith and Sarah get their truck loaded and driven down here. I'll drive Mom and Dad in their car and Allen will drive one of the trucks down. We'll have a caravan coming down so I am hoping for some good weather the last weekend of February. Once everyone gets down here, things should go more smoothly. Unloading and unpacking always goes faster than packing and loading does. We should have everyone moved in and set up by the first weekend of March. It will be so much easier on everyone to be closer again. Then, Megan will be the only one left to bring down. At the rate she is streamlining everything, she may be able to fit their stuff in her car and bring down! :) Moving is no fun...especially when so many are doing it at the same time. But once it is over, there are so many new things to see and do, it will make it all worth the hassles now. I am asking everyone to say an extra prayer or two for us during the next 2 or 3 weeks that we all keep our sanity and have a safe trip.

New

Well, the new couch arrived last evening. I went with the spicy red and am soooo glad I did. It really looks good in the living room. Warm, inviting, cozy are just a few words to describe it. A very nice addition to the room and the first couch I have bought in a long time that I really like! I have been dressing up the place and am adding 'new' colors all over. Change is good. I figure since we have made so many changes in our lives to just be here, I might as well make some other changes, too. Our house was a little on the bland side so I am spicing things up and adding some bright and vibrant colors. Nothing like Sarah's hot pink and lime green but some great colors for us.

While I'm on the topic of new things...what about our new look on the website? We had the other design for four years and it was getting rather boring, too. Travis has us set up now so I can make changes along myself and not have to bother him. I like this quilt design...quilts remind me of our lives. Bits and pieces of color...some rather plain and boring and others bright and exciting...just like our lives. The pieces by themselves don't mean much but when sewn altogether, you have a wonderful piece to keep you warm and comfortable.

What's new in your life?

A New Month

Well, January is over...a pretty good start to the year! We are settled in to our new place and have everything pretty much put away. Still tweaking minor things but overall finished. A new sofa has been ordered and should be delivered today. I finally got a new battery charger for my camera so hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures along. Now that all of our stuff is in order, we are planning to do some exploring and see more of the area and its attractions. If all goes well, we are going to the River Walk and Alamo this weekend so that should make for a fun day.

Allen is busy meeting all of his new customers and has an excitement about his job that I haven't seen in a long time! The only negative we have found about living here right now is the fact that Alex is still in Kansas City. Oh! Yeah! Sarah and Keith are still there, too! We miss seeing him and his smiling face and enthusiasm but plans are in the works for them to move down here at the end of the month! My parents will also be moving here at the same time. Then, the only one missing will be Megan. Hopefully, their house will sell quickly this spring and she will join Travis in Austin. We will all be close enough to have family get togethers, Sunday dinners or brunches and have lots of new places to go and things to see and do. I am really excited!