I'm on my way back...

Well, sort of!!  We have been unpacking our worldly treasures for one week today.  Every bed in the house now has sheets(with the exception of the guest bed but since we certainly are not having sleepover guests for a while I gave up looking for that box!), all the pots and pans and plates are squeezed into their new cabinets, and as of late last night we can not only see the couch but we can sit down on it.

Just a few pictures of the devestation/unpacking so everyone can truly understand...

Do you see the couch in this picture?  It's there under that big pile of pillows and stuff!

But now on to the good stuff.  I was able to decorate the kitchen hutch and I love it!

This small section in our house makes me so happy when I pass it.  As a matter of fact, it is an inspiration to me.  When I get tired of unpacking and decorating I look at this wall of cheeriness and somewhere deep  I can find the strength to continue.  I want my house to be complete.  I know it takes time but I am an impatient gal.

Oh, so much red in this post, I am going to link up to Sue's blog, It's A Very Cherry World for Rednesday.  Something that I haven't done in at least a month since all this packing and moving started.  Head on over to Sue's blog to check out other happy and cheery reds.

I hope today is a great day for you wherever you are in this big ole' world!
Fondly,
Ann

It's good to be home...

It's good to be home after so many years away.  Not only have I been away from my family but I've also been away from my oldest and dearest friends.  Sure we've kept in touch via email and phone and even managed to squeeze in a dinner or two when I would visit but there is nothing like being back and resuming wonderful friendships...just like I had never left.   There is actually one other girlfriend that makes up this foursome but unfortunately Michelle is living down in Florida and couldn't be with us for a wonderful evening.

We are big readers of Dorthea Benton Frank and her wonderful books that take place along the lowcountry in South Carolina.  Three days after arriving home and amist a house of boxes I went to a fundraiser for a new library here in town. Mrs. Frank was the guest speaker.  We feasted on a fabulous low country boil, listened to the sounds of beach music and had our "hot off the press" copy of her newest book, Lowcountry Summer, signed.  Mrs. Frank was a delight and a joy to hear speak.  I've started the new book and have had to limit myself to reading only late at night after I've put a good hard days work in unpacking.  It has become a very, very hard book to put down!

Below is a picture of myself(on the left), Joy(middle) and Pam(right) and of course the fantastic author, Dorthea Benton Frank.

I met Joy and Michelle(now the only one amongst us that lives out of state) when we were all 13.  Pam is my oldest friend as I have known her since kindergarten!!  After my dad retired from the Army and we moved back home to Georgia we all ended up in the same school, same classes, same interests and that is where the friendships blossomed and grew.  Nothing like girlfriends.
Michelle we sure wished you could have been with us but you were certainly there in spirit and laughter!

OK~back to unpacking....

The Final Day

This morning found us just north of Mobile, Alabama.  We jumped on I-65 and headed north to Montgomery.  Then we hopped on I-85 for home.  Along the way we made a stop that put a huge smile on our youngest dudes face.

We didn't do a lot of stopping and shopping as we were so close to home that we could smell the kudzu!
Soon we were viewing these sweet signs sent straight from heaven(I'm sure of it)...

However, we had to stop and eat.  Another great bar-b-que joint!

Of course the  mascot of the University of Georgia was sitting on the porch of the joint...

Finally, 5 days and 8 hours after we left Fort Huachuca we arrived at our new home.

Tomorrow the real fun begins...unpacking the 2 U-Hauls.  On Wednesday more fun awaits as the 53 foot moving trailer that is slightly bulging with my worldly treasures arrives.
So, I might not be posting for a week or so.  Please bear with me as I get all this done.  I've so much more to share with everyone, now that I can paint my walls. : )
Fondly,
Ann

Day 4, A day late

Stayed in a very nice roadside hotel, as far as nice roadside hotels go...but was so full of weary and tired travelers that the internet connection just didn't seem to work last night.  This morning it is much, much better. 

Day 4 was another day full of adventure on this cross country move.  I'll let most of the pictures do the talking. 
Again, our youngest son was in charge of the photography except where he is in the photos. : )

This was the dogs first encounter with large bodies of water, larger than the bath tub.  Oliver was willing to give it an ankle deep try but Chui was all over it.  Remember he is a warrior, nothing to fear!

This was quite a grocery store!  There were so many local specialties, it was a fun place to shop! Because yesterday was Father's Day and I am an equal opportunity shopper, we decided to stop here....

Then we were on to lunch...

Yum, Yum!

While we were engaged, hubby was stationed in Biloxi.  We decided to get off the interstate and take the scenic route along the beaches to reminisce.  I was amazed at the amount of devastation still visible from Hurricane Katrina.  But was filled with such joy as we were able to see all the growth and development. Then add to these peoples struggles the oil spill in the Gulf.  Oil could be seen in the water as well as clean up attempts.  Yesterday was June 20th.  The beaches should have been packed with tourists and sun worshipers but there was only a handful. 

That's all for Day 4.  Day 5 promises HOME!

Day 3

Today was a long, long day.  Not only does hubby like to rise and shine very early he also prefers to drive 14-15 hour days!  I on the other hand enjoy driving a little and doing some sightseeing and shopping along the way.  Needless to say, as much as hubby pushed me, I just couldn't make it out of the state of Texas today.  This is one BIG state!!  We are only 6 miles from the Louisiana state line.

Below are pictures of today's adventures.  Again, our little dude used his newly acquired photography skills to take all photos except the one with him in it.  He even photographed the Alamo, chopping the top off!

After spending the morning visiting The Alamo and Riverwalk  in San Antonio
we were  on our way.  We stopped several times throughout the day.  First stop was a cute little town off of I-10, Flatonia.  Have a look at this great little retro gas station turned gift shop and also the best Bar-b-que I've had in 3 years. Joel's Bar-b-que.

Then we saw this and had to stop for a couple of hours...

Once I conquered the outlet mall we were back on our way.  Driving through Houston was horrible.  I-10 was closed all the way through Houston.  Soooo much traffic....

But that gave us time to ooh and aah over the cityscape.

Travel Day Two

This morning we slept in and anyone who knows hubby knows he doesn't sleep in.  But he did have a good excuse.  We were in a different time zone, 2 hours ahead of AZ time.  It was 945am before we hit the road.  I think we made great time considering the late start and the stops we made today.  Here are pictures from today's travels.  We traveled 500 miles to San Antonio.

And of course I found a store in West Texas...

Well, that's all for today folks.  Tomorrow, The Alamo!