Thursday, April 30, 2009

Visitors, Decorating, Scorpions, in that order

Mom and Dad visited last weekend and we did decorating and arranging of the house. Then more decorating and arranging. And then discovered a scorpion in a box in the basement.

Apparently things are more poisonous here than in the midwest.

So the exterminator is coming to spray inside and out as well as several leaves on the property have been burned in our efforts to keep the creepy crawlies out.

Also, the bedskirt has been removed. Because they crawl up them and into bed with you.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Paperwork...

Today, only 2 boxes got unpacked. The rest of the day consisited of a lawn and landscape consultation, discovering what documents were required to get a driver's license and tag and title the cars, getting additional auto insurance as required by GA, picking up said insurance documents, gathering a million other vehicle forms and personal id's, getting the vehicles emission tested, driving 30 minutes to the DDS (GA's version of DMV), obtaining our licenses, driving 10 more minutes to the Tag and Title office, registering the car, finding out they do not take Visa or an out-of-state check (seriously?? We just moved! That's why we're here!!), running to an ATM for cash, trying to register the Jeep - but unsuccessful due to the fact we forgot one document from MN that was not required for the car since it was previously registered in SD, driving home, hooking up the remainder of the electronics, more grocery shopping, and finally dinner.

Moving is annoying. Almost as much as the governmental paperwork associated with moving. I can't imagine doing this stuff without having a few days off of work!!! But it's back to it tomorrow :)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Pooped

I am pooped. This moving stuff is hard work. And I didn't even pack or haul things in and out.

What, you might ask, are we doing then? UNPACKING. Our final count of stuff was 10,500 lbs, and over 400 items - about 220 boxes, and 180 single items (beds, sofas, etc). I estimate we are 60% done.

Our bedroom, bathroom, and closet are livable, as well as most of the 2 other bedrooms. The living room tv and electronics are set up, as well as the computer desk (bills wait for no move). Food is in the refrigerator and I will be attempting my first cooking session tomorrow. Maybe. If I'm not too tired.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Funny quote of the night

Courtesy Season 32, Episode 3 of SNL:

"After twenty-years, and sales of nearly seven million cars, Ford has announced that it will no longer make the Taurus, forcing many thirty-somethings to find a new way to show the world they've given up on their dreams."

Good luck Amy Poehler! And thank you Tivo, for capturing Best of Amy on SNL last night. BTW, my husband thought there was NO WAY you were really that pregnant in the "Bad Angel" sketch. Yeah. I know you were. (And you're also obviously reading my blog!).

Everyone, watch Parks & Recreation on Thursday nights!

Forgotten in Minnesota

No, we have not forgotten all of our friends and family back home. BUT, we did forget the following:

1. Airbake cookie sheets (3)
2. Metal cake pans (2)
3. Pampered Chef cutting board with juice channels
4. Small apple cutting board
5. Wooden cutting board
6. Stacking cooling racks for cookies (3)
7. Muffin tin
8. Jelly roll pans with lids (2)

mmmmm....I think that's it, but we forgot basically everything that was in the compartment UNDER the oven and in a skinny cabinet right next to the oven. We discovered all of these missing items this afternoon - we are down to the last kitchen box, a box of cookbooks. Which is definitely not all baking stuff.

Technically, the movers forgot it but we signed off saying everything was packed. So. I guess we will need to re-purchase! Or get married again (?). Just kidding, Dad!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Moving and Mowing

We unpacked boxes - lots - today. Jeff also mowed our front yard weed patch for the first time of the season, which was 2 weeks overdue. Did you know that dandelion season's almost over here??

The second night in the house last night (I know, I'm lame because I had to travel) was GLORIOUS! My own bed! It is sooooo dark and quiet our here in the country. And the birds in the morning...seriously, the kitties are in heaven.

Our new fridge (see previous post) and washer / dryer were delivered yesterday. So far all we have in the fridge is some Coke, but I am grocery shopping tomorrow. BUT - the washer and dryer have been put to good use today! Two weeks with both of us living out of a suitcase meant we needed to wash just about every pair of undies we own! And sheets. And new towels (because I get new towels for my new house. I called.).

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Plan

It's 8:30am. Jeff's plan for today which he just explained to me (after getting the phone call confirming we are good to go on closing this morning):

1. Buy a house
2. Do a little dance
3. Kiss the wife
4. Buy a broom and Swiffer

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Southern Likes and Un-likes

Southern impressiveness
1. Weather in April
2. ELCA Lutherans
3. Baby baptisms on Easter
4. Visiting the greenhouse and discovering annuals last until Nov
5. Azaleas and Magnolia trees in my new yard
6. Pastel colors on a gaggle of people
7. Little girls in matching easter dresses, gloves, and hats

Things I am not so impressed with
1. Grits (give me cream of wheat please)
2. Sweet tea, aka sugar water (hello, I am not a hummingbird)

Church

We found the midwesterners in Georgia at the ELCA church we went to
for Easter service. It'll work!

--
Sent from my mobile device

JT on SNL!!!

Guess what - Justin got my letters, and has agreed to go on SNL for my birthday!!!! Everybody, tune in May 9 to NBC to watch Justin Timberlake and Ciara on SNL...

"Love and Sex and Magic"....wooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

WE'RE HERE!!

Good-bye Midwest, Hello South! After a grueling day yesterday (Friday), we are living in our hotel in Atlanta!

We woke up at 6:20am yesterday and got ready for the day, re-packed from our temporary hotel, called for assistance with the hotel shopping cart, caught the girls and gave them their kitty Valium, loaded on the shuttle and checked in. We paid our pet fee ($150 per pet) and got our boarding passes, made it through security - each of us carrying a kitty - and had a little breakfast at McDonald's.

We waited at the gate for over an hour past the scheduled time - air traffic control delayed us due to weather in Atlanta. We finally boarded an A330 (2 seats, 4 seats, 2 seats) in the second to last row with an empty seat between us for the girls. By this time the kitty Valium was definitely in effect and the meows were small and feeble. Jeff also made sure to take his Dramamine!

Our normal flight time of 2 hours and 5 minutes went above 3 hours due to the same severe weather patterns - while we circled above thunderclouds in Atlanta, bumping and diving, for an hour until we were cleared to land. In the meantime, 2 people barfed (thank goodness, not Jeff or Bella, or Maddie).

We went to baggage, finally got our bags, loaded the bags on the rental car bus, went to the rental car place to get our car for the day, reloaded the bags, fought about the fact I forgot our GPS on my trip this past week (we are getting it back Thursday on my St Louis trip), circled the wrong way to the hotel and drove 5 miles, drove 5 miles back to the start point, pulled into the Embassy Suites, unloaded the bags for the last time, and collapsed onto the sofa. For a second. Then we got the girls out - who were wobbly, pupils dilated, hungry, but fine - and unpacked a little.

Our dinner at the hotel was fast and quiet, but we are glad the travel is over - for as much as I am on the road by myself, it is a whole other story with 7 times as much luggage, 2 pets, and one other person - it does not go as quickly or as easily as one would think! I am glad we don't have to do it again for awhile!

Hobo Jeff

So, Jeff was Hobo Jeff for a few days this past week - homeless, vehicleless, and wifeless...

He even mentioned to me (when I returned from Denver on Thursday night) that we really could use some kind of container to haul all of our luggage in - 3 rolling bags, a duffel, 2 kitty duffels, a laptop, and a purse. We decided the perfect container would be a shopping cart. Just like hobos.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

House and moving!

Thank the Lord, the house appraised at $235k (more than our loan), and the roof came back with enough life that we don't have to replace it right now!!!!!

Jeff has reported that the packers have come and gone, all of our stuff is boxed, and two-thirds is hauled away already. We are getting closer...

I leave for Denver in the morning till Friday!

Monday, April 6, 2009

What Your Pet Can Teach You

I love this. I hope you do too.

From Cesar Millan in Parade ~

Live in the moment.
- People often wonder how I get such quick results with the dogs I rehabilitate. The answer is simple: Dogs live in the moment. They don't regret the past or worry about the future. If we can learn to appreciate and focus on what's happening in the here and now, we'll experience a richness of living that other members of the animal kingdom enjoy.

Nurture a balanced life.
- I tell my clients to follow this simple rule with their dogs: Offer exercise, discipline, and affection every day. Do the same for yourself. We humans are happier if our routines include physical activity, a sense of structure, and the opportunity to give and receive love on a daily basis.

Trust your instincts.
- Animals don't care about words. They recognize that what's really going on in any interaction is beneath the surface. Many of us have lost touch with this all-important instinctual part of our natures. By paying attention to nonverbal cues such as body language and energy, we can learn more about our friends, our loved ones, and ourselves.

Be direct and consistent in your communication.
- Many of my clients only intermittently enforce rules, leaving their pets confused about what is and is not acceptable behavior. Great relationships, no matter the species, begin with clear and consistent communication. This is a lesson we should carry into other areas of our lives - with our family, our friends, and at work. Remember: we teach people how to treat us.

Learn to listen.
- Make the time to lend an ear to those you love or those who want to transform their lives. But don't try to fix their problems, and don't take their problems personally, either. A great leader is also a great follower and knows that everybody counts.

Don't hold grudges.
- There's a remarkable lack of conflict in dog packs. That's because members resolve the situation when disagreements arise, then move on. Imagine what our world would be like if we dealt with our conflicts before they escalated out of control. Holding onto negative feelings tends to make them multiply and prevent us from moving forward.

Live with purpose.
- When dogs are bored, they develop issues ranging from anxiety to depression. But when given a job and a way to contribute to the pack's well-being, they turn around almost immediately. All animals - including humans - have an inborn need to work for food and water. Ask yourself how you can contribute more to your job, your family, and the world around you. You'll feel much better about yourself if you earn your food and water, too.

Celebrate every day.
- For a dog, every morning is Christmas morning. Every walk is the best walk, every meal is the best meal, every game is the best game. We can learn so much by observing the way our pets rejoice in life's simplest moments. Take time every day to celebrate the many gifts that are hidden in the ordinary events of your own life.

(Thanks for the mailing, Mom. See, I read them and even pull them out when appropriate!).

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Mobile blog test

Just a quick test to see if I can blog on the road.

--
Sent from my mobile device

The Big Debate

We have debated...and we are not getting cable!!! Comcast down south has a $19.95 12 month special on internet only, which is a far cry from $110 we pay for cable and internet right now. So we will try it, and hopefully our HD rabbit ears will pull in the major network shows.

Our other utilities in MN are cancelled, and the GA ones are ready to go. We have a million things checked off the list this weekend and are gearing up for the movers on Tuesday. Until then...

Goodbye HGTV and Food Network! I will miss you!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Things that happened this week

1. I am alive.
2. Bella and Maddie went to the vet and got health certificates and rabies shots.
3. Bella was so scared she peed herself. No idea how the plane ride will go.
4. Bella and Maddie have kitty anti-anxiety pills for the plane ride.
5. I went down and back to Atlanta for big fancy meetings with national sales reps for the hotels.
6. It snowed in MN and I missed it.
7. I bought a "Flight Crew 3" Travelpro suitcase, just like the flight attendants. Now I fit in. Who knew buying things made you cool?
8. I checked out and stayed at our hotel that will be our home for 8 days.
9. I made our hotel and car and plane reservations to move 1800 miles this week.
10. Jeff cleaned out the fridge, freezer, and deep freeze.
11. Jeff finished cleaning out the saltwater tank and it was much stinkier than the freshwater tank.
12. We prepared "The End of MN" list for this weekend, our final to-dos before we leave.