Oh Steph!

UT to VA

So we made it to Arlington, VA. We packed everything we owned into the back of our Jetta and drove for 4 days. Well actually I should clarify LB drove, I sat am complained that my tail bone hurt. I was not allowed to drive because if we put the seat forward then things would shift around in the back and I guess that some how that would have been a bad thing. So LB drove and I sat on the cramped side of the car with stuff at my feet and on every side...it was a very long 4 days!

It was my plan to document our trip across the United States but early on I realized that there was not a lot to photograph on I-70 and after St. Louis I gave up completely. But I will give you a quick recap of the trip:

We drove to Colorado and stopped and saw our friends John and Katie - It rained really hard and water leaked into the car by way of the car top carrier straps.
We drove through Kansans and about the only thing to see in Kansans was one sign after another letting travelers know that "Jesus Saves".

Then Missouri - we saw the Arch.

Then Illinois - I think I was asleep.

Indiana came next - it was beautiful I think I could live there.

Then Kentucky - which was just plain scary and I am pretty sure that the hotel was haunted.

Then West Virginia - fried bologna sandwiches need I say more.

We then drove on to Maryland and then to Virginia.

Leaving UT - as you can see the car was bursting at the seams.

St. Louis Arch from the Freeway.

Things learned on the trip:

1. If you only spend $50 a night on a hotel expect it to be dirty and sketchy

2. Don't pack a cooler if the only place to put it is on your lap - just eat fast food

3. Stop and see the 3000 lb prairie dog in Kansans and the Wizard of Oz Museum -wish we did

4. Pay a company to move your stuff and then take the long route - that is if you can afford it

5. Take pictures, lots of them

6. Crying is useless

Tomorrow

Tomorrow we start our trek across the country. We have packed nearly everything we own into the back of our VW Jetta and shipped the rest. We will miss Utah (me more so than eric)! I hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer. So goodbye for now - I will be back in September with pictures and stories of our new great adventure east coast style!

The Sofa That Came to Stay!

Green Sofa Story:

So over three weeks ago while we where napping after our backpacking trip there was a knock on the door. The Air-conditioner had been broken so we thought it might be maintenance so I jumped out of bed grabbed a bathrobe and ran to the door. However, rather then finding the slightly stinky maintenance guy on the other side there were 4 men holding a GIANT sofa - and even worse then wanted to come in. The giant sofa which could easily seat 7 obese adults and was longer then my apartment is wide would not fit up the 1950's designed stair well, go figure. However, the men were sure that if they just brought it in a few feet they could turn it and then take it up to the 3rd floor. So being the nice neighbor that I am I said sure and in came the sofa; however the couch would not fit up to the 3rd floor, again go figure. So the men decided to take in back down the stairs, but oh now they could not get it back down the stairs so the only logical thing to do was leave in in MY apartment for 2 days until they could get maintenance to open the other neighbors door so that they would have more room to finagle the sofa. Well 3 weeks later we still had the giant green sofa but the neighbors did not leave us with the cushions so we could not sit on it (not that I would have anyway, you know bugs and such). So the neighbors said they would be coming to get their sofa but they did not, and then they said they would come and they did not, then I contemplated pushing the sofa out the window. Then when I was at my wits end and about to barrow a chain saw to cut the damn thing in half and have it hauled off I came home and the sofa that came to stay was gone!

Moral of the story don't let random people leave furniture at your house and if you do change a handling fee! Neighbors you owe me $150!

Oh Sofa!

I suck as a blogger as of lately - maybe that is because I can't deal with my life at the current moment so I am just ignoring everything. Great coping mechanism I know! So while I have been ignoring life I have also been shopping and I bought a sofa. This Sofa! - in seafoam blue (sorry could not upload a picture) and the best part is it will be delivered to our new apartment in Arlington shortly after we arrive. This is the first real and most expensive piece of furniture that we have ever purchased - oh the fun of being an adult.

Since I am slightly behind on the blogging here is a list of updates:

Went backpacking with Mel and Jim, had a great time, lots of bug bites - pics to come.
Went to the Ranch to play cards with Bob and Gwen (the grandparents).
LB's family had a reunion - I had to go in a cave, it was cold - enough said!
Marsha (aka - Mom) is visiting - she made me pack, I threw a fit, stomped my feet and then gave in - then she took me shopping and helped me with the sofa purchase.
Got car fixed, it cost a #*%! load of money, then broke again the next week - 2nd repair was free.
Random neighbors deposited their extremely large sofa that smells like curry in my current apartment 3 weeks ago and they have yet to retrieve it (its a long story) - I'm Pissed!
Sold LB's car - now a one car family - it sucks!
Locked ourselves out of the house on Sunday - 2 college degrees and we are still stupid.
I still don't have a job in DC - lets hope Arby's is hiring.
Oh and since my life is not crazy enough I am running another 1/2 marathon on Saturday which I am so not ready for.

One Month To Go...

The student load has gone through, the apartment has been rented and all the furniture has almost been sold. Now all I need is a job and to pack the Jetta!

bff

On our recent trip to Virginia my most wonderful friend Chira let us stay with them for a whole 7 days - lets just say the girl is a Saint! I am pretty sure Chira and her husband Chris have fulfilled their service quota to the next year just by helping us with all of our moving drama!

Thank goodness for 8th grade Orchestra and being seated as "stand partners" - I really don't know what I would do with out this girl!

This is Caden, the coolest little boy in the world. He put up with us haling him all over DC for days on end, and was super excited for just about everything including Popsicles outside!

Caden's rap/thug face.

The New but Expensive Digs

So I am finally posting pictures of our soon to be apartment. This is what our one bedroom apartment in Arlington, VA will look like. And since we have sold all of our furniture and won't be able to afford to buy more this is pretty much exactly what it will look like.

Kitchen