We Have Arrived

The drive from Nashville to North Carolina

went relatively quick.

I may or may not have slept most of the way

while Matt drove.

Again, that loud Opry music really hurt my head.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Lucy was a really good traveller.

Her favorite spot to sleep was on Matt.

I don't know what it was,

but my lap just did not cut it.



Our purpose in life is to make

Lucy's life as comfortable

as possible.

For that reason,

we placed her bed in a spot

easily accessible to her

if she desired a nap.

Yes, she is that spoiled.



We arrived to our new "home" after dark.

The next morning (and entire week)

we've had back to back appointments

with the realtor to see houses.

I'm looking forward to exploring our new city

on my own.

And finding a house for all those possessions currently in boxes.

St. Louis & Nashville

On the drive from Minnesota to St. Louis

we encountered some bad weather.

Only while I was driving, of course.

At one point I was down to 40 mph

on the interstate.

I had very white knuckles

as Matt convinced me to pass a snow plow.

When I pulled off the interstate to let Matt take over

the weather cleared and it was smooth sailing

all the way to St. Louis.

Go figure.

St. Louis was nice.

We stayed at a hotel

right next to the Gateway Arch.

The next day we drove to Nashville, TN.

On the way, we accidentally booked

a hotel that doesn't take dogs.

Sorry, Lucy.

She had to go to a Nashville boarding facility

and make friends with some

country dogs for the night.

We saw a little more action in Nashville

with the Grand Ole Opry at Ryman.

We got to see...

Little Jimmy Dickens

John Anderson

Diamond Rio

and some blue grass artists.

After the show, we did a little bar hopping.
We had some tequila at Margaritaville,
bull riding at Cadillac Ranch,
and bar dancing at Coyote Ugly.

I can't quite figure out why my head hurt
so badly the following day.
It must have been the loud music at the Opry.

"Movin' on Out

to the East Side

to a deluxe apartment

in Huntersville, NC."

I didn't think I'd blog so early

but Matt ran to the car wash

so I wanted to get some of

the trip and experience

committed to digital memory.

I came home from work on

Thursday, January 26th

to find many boxes

containing many possessions

and one confused puppy.

The movers arrived bright & early.

It amazed me how quickly they took

all of our boxes and furniture

and loaded them onto the truck.

Once the movers left,

the realtor showed up.

Once the realtor left,

the Honda shipper showed up.

It was almost as if each party

made plans with the other

as to what time to arrive.

Bye Civic!  See you there!

Once the house was packed

we headed to Litchfield for the night.

We met Matt's parents at the lake

and I ran into town to have dinner

with a good friend.

The next morning, we ran to my dad's

to say our good-byes

and off we went on our journey

with pit stops in St. Louis, MO and Nashville, TN.

Bye Minnesota!

Today is

The movers have arrived

and all of our belongings are being boxed up.

We have spent the last few days

sorting through everything.

A pile for storage,

a pile for traveling,

a pile for short term housing,

a pile to leave behind in MN,

a pile to take to the landfill,

and a pile for Goodwill.

I am sitting at work today

having a difficult time breathing.

I feel like someone is sitting

on my chest.

This is a panic attack.

It isn't the first,

and it won't be the last.

Lucy is at the doggie spa

saying good-bye to her friends

and getting a haircut.

Matt is at the house

overseeing the packing.

This is really happening.

"We're really doing it, arn't we buddy?"



2011 in Review



January 2011

Matt & I picked out our wedding rings.
I attended my first (of many) book clubs.
We booked the DJ for our August MN reception.



February 2011

Celebrated Mr. Joshua Lease's birthday at Toby Keith bar
Tried to register for Grandma's half marathon.

(Was not chosen - probably a good thing!)

March 2011

Hosted a baby shower for Sadie
Grandma Snegosky went to Heaven
Snegosky's hosted a wedding shower.

  

April 2011

Wedding dress was altered
Wedding shower hosted by Cindy's card club in Hudson.
Wedding shower hosted by girlfriends
My cousins helped with wedding invites

May 2011

Celebrated my 30th birthday with coworkers and friends
Wedding shower hosted by coworkers
Celebrated Jeff & Char's wedding
Final dress fitting

June 2011

Met Leo Mason Ludowese on June 1st

Wedding shower hosted by the Boll family
Bachelorette party on Rice Lake
Many happy hours with Kate
Roadtrip from MN to WA

July 2011

Married on July 2nd!
Roadtrip to WA, OR, CA, NV, UT, CO, NB, IA, MN (honeymoon)
Participated in the Warrior Dash

August 2011

MN wedding reception
Cousin Mariah went with Jesus

September 2011

Took a pedal pub for Emily's bachelorette party
Celebrated Chris & Emily's wedding
Hosted a baby shower for Tasha
Tried Zumba

October 2011

Attended my first Renissanse Festival
Power of the Purse - United Way charity
Harvest Run in Duluth with Tiff White and Kim Madill

November 2011

Matt's first, second, and third interview with Lowe's
Met Ella Carolyn Rothstein on November 28th
Attended Kole & Missy's baby shower
Tried spin - and LOVE it!

December 2011

Matt received offer from Lowes
Decided to take offer and move to North Carolina in 2012
Attended my first play at the Guthrie (A Christmas Carol)

Celebrated NYE in all timezones with the Peterson's.