For the record, we moved out of our Las Vegas house on July 14, when all of our belongings were packed, loaded on a truck, and shipped east for storage.
For 56 days, we were homeless. During that time we stayed in 11 different hotels in nine different cities, put nearly 4,000 miles on our Suburban, basically lived out of seven suitcases (one for each of us), and actually grew tired of eating out.
Finally, on September 8, we closed on our new house in Frederick (side note: we were originally scheduled to close August 14 but entered real estate hell for the next 26 days as realtors, lenders, brokers, and title companies tried to iron out the details).
We'll post photos soon.
But let's just say that when the e-mail came over our phones at 12:14 p.m. on Tuesday saying that the bank had received the wire transfer of funds (making the sale final), we were already standing on the porch with key-in-hand and the movers parked in the driveway. By 12:15 p.m. every door was open and we were unloading our stuff into the house. We've been working almost non-stop to empty boxes and set up the new place ever since.
Many thanks to all of you who offered your thoughts and prayers for everything to work out. Despite the many challenges and frustrations, we recognize that not only could it have taken longer or been more difficult, the sale very well could have fallen apart. We are glad it didn't, and knowing that so many people were pulling for it to happen helped sustain us through a very frustrating time.
We will, by the way, be ready for guests by this weekend. You know where to find us.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wisdom from Colin
On our way back to the hotel after church yesterday, our 12-but-soon-to-be-13-year-old Colin offered the following unsolicited analogy:
"Going to church is like taking a shower: you don't really want to go, but once you get there you're so glad you went."
As Colin would also say: True dat.
"Going to church is like taking a shower: you don't really want to go, but once you get there you're so glad you went."
As Colin would also say: True dat.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
We move again (sort of): an update from Frederick
We've been in Frederick for a week and a half, yet we appear to be no closer to moving into a house than we were when we got here. We keep hearing that everyone getting paid to make the deal happen is doing their best. We're not sure we're seeing it. In a word, it is frustrating. Very frustrating. Hopefully we'll know soon.
But we're doing our best. We did move again Friday, from two rooms at the Frederick Holiday Inn to a two-room family suite at the Frederick Residence Inn. Being in one suite feels more like home than a vacation, which is good as we are trying to regain some sense of normalcy after more than a month out of our house.
We are already getting fairly integrated into the area, thanks to church and school.
Our new ward has been fantastic. We've received several dinner invitations, offers of assistance (including invites for kids to hang out at others' houses), and advice on schools and shopping and neighborhoods. Colin and Carson rode 25 miles with the Boy Scout troop on Saturday, after the Scout leaders found bicycles for our boys. Melissa spent Friday night at the Young Women's movie night and has cemented some good new friendships. And all of us have met some really cool families to interact with (and lean on). We've been able to have a few home-cooked meals (from ward members and from one of Jason's co-workers who also recently relocated from Las Vegas), which has been great.
That is not to say, however, that we've forgotten our friends in the West. We've moved, but we are not moving on, and support from our good friends (in the form of e-mails, text messages, phone calls, and online comments) has been especially helpful. It's good to have people watching out for us on both coasts.
The past week was especially busy as we signed up four kids for three schools, attended open houses, toured campuses, bought school clothes and supplies, and prepared for the first day of school on the 24th. The kids are nervous, but excited, for school to start. We've been impressed by the schools' organization and curricula. It should be a great academic year.
Jason spent his first full week in an office this week (with no travel or work from home) since mid-March. March! He enjoys his work and his new co-workers and is glad to be in place, finally.
Yvonne is keeping everything moving (except us -- although she would probably have it done if people getting paid in this deal would get it going). She also played detective to figure out a problem with our mail delivery. It's been a full week.
Laundry for seven has been a treat at the local laundromat, but we're all wearing clean clothes, eating ok, and remaining sane. School starts in the morning, and that will give us another dose of normal life (even though the kids have been enjoying the un-normal life, perhaps a little too much).
But we're doing our best. We did move again Friday, from two rooms at the Frederick Holiday Inn to a two-room family suite at the Frederick Residence Inn. Being in one suite feels more like home than a vacation, which is good as we are trying to regain some sense of normalcy after more than a month out of our house.
We are already getting fairly integrated into the area, thanks to church and school.
Our new ward has been fantastic. We've received several dinner invitations, offers of assistance (including invites for kids to hang out at others' houses), and advice on schools and shopping and neighborhoods. Colin and Carson rode 25 miles with the Boy Scout troop on Saturday, after the Scout leaders found bicycles for our boys. Melissa spent Friday night at the Young Women's movie night and has cemented some good new friendships. And all of us have met some really cool families to interact with (and lean on). We've been able to have a few home-cooked meals (from ward members and from one of Jason's co-workers who also recently relocated from Las Vegas), which has been great.
That is not to say, however, that we've forgotten our friends in the West. We've moved, but we are not moving on, and support from our good friends (in the form of e-mails, text messages, phone calls, and online comments) has been especially helpful. It's good to have people watching out for us on both coasts.
The past week was especially busy as we signed up four kids for three schools, attended open houses, toured campuses, bought school clothes and supplies, and prepared for the first day of school on the 24th. The kids are nervous, but excited, for school to start. We've been impressed by the schools' organization and curricula. It should be a great academic year.
Jason spent his first full week in an office this week (with no travel or work from home) since mid-March. March! He enjoys his work and his new co-workers and is glad to be in place, finally.
Yvonne is keeping everything moving (except us -- although she would probably have it done if people getting paid in this deal would get it going). She also played detective to figure out a problem with our mail delivery. It's been a full week.
Laundry for seven has been a treat at the local laundromat, but we're all wearing clean clothes, eating ok, and remaining sane. School starts in the morning, and that will give us another dose of normal life (even though the kids have been enjoying the un-normal life, perhaps a little too much).
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Day 10 of the Drive East (part 2): Louisville Slugging, and the long drive...home
We started the day yesterday in Louisville. The main reason we looped through Louisville, rather than stay on I-70 through Indianapolis, was so we could see the Louisville Slugger factory and museum.
As a family of baseball fanatics, it was the right choice.
We knew it was the right choice when we saw the 120' replica of Babe Ruth's bat from the highway. From the street it was even more impressive.
We toured the factory to see firsthand how major league bats are made. They were turning a set for Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki as we watched, and the kids got to handle a sample of Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia's bat. We just missed seeing them make Pedroia's bats, but the wood billets used to make the bats were sitting within reach so we touched every one of them. Someday soon he'll be swinging a stick in a game that we touched. Very, very cool.
Levi was impressed with the machine that flame brands the bats before shipment. One of the operators let Levi hold the bat and feel the heat from the freshly burned Louisville Slugger logo.
Alas, we weren't allowed to take photos in the factory, so all we can do is describe it.
After the factory tour we visited the museum. We held (with white cotton gloves) and took photos with game-used bats from Boston's David Ortiz (Melissa, Dylan, and Levi) and Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle (Jason and Colin) and Rod Carew (Carson).
We also saw a variety of authentic bats, including the thick handled ones used by Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Jimmie Foxx; the improbably big bat of Roberto Clemente (35-inch, 36 ounce); infamous bats including Shoeless Joe Jackson's "Black Betty" and George Brett's pine tar version; and the bats of many, many more.
The kids also enjoyed mimicing the poses of wax statues of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Ken Griffey, Jr., and climbing on the Bunyanesque glove sculpture. Levi also got to hit in a kids' sized batting cage.
All in all, what a great stop.
From there, it was 550-ish miles to Frederick, Md. After lunch at the Louisville Jimmy John's, dinner at a table outside the Bridgeport (W.Va.)Wendy's, and a late snack at the Cumberland (Md.) Chick-Fil-A, we arrived in Frederick around 11:30 p.m. Odd to say, but we are home at last.
Except that we don't have a home yet (we have one under contract, but are having issues with the appraisal and are shopping again for a backup). We're hopeful to iron it out during the next couple weeks and move in before Labor Day. For now, our home is the Frederick Holiday Inn -- it's not much but it's near the mall and has a pool, two things we couldn't say about our home in Vegas.
To be honest, it's kind of a drag not to be on the road. We saw a lot of this great country, met many great people, and ate at a lot of fun and unique places (we had a blast at the Chick-Fil-A in Cumberland last night; they thought it was funny that we were moving from Vegas to Frederick and took great care of us, and the kids loved the attention). Reality hasn't set in yet, but it's coming (and it's coming fast).
Thanks for tagging along, and for not backseat driving.
As a family of baseball fanatics, it was the right choice.
We knew it was the right choice when we saw the 120' replica of Babe Ruth's bat from the highway. From the street it was even more impressive.
We toured the factory to see firsthand how major league bats are made. They were turning a set for Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki as we watched, and the kids got to handle a sample of Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia's bat. We just missed seeing them make Pedroia's bats, but the wood billets used to make the bats were sitting within reach so we touched every one of them. Someday soon he'll be swinging a stick in a game that we touched. Very, very cool.
Levi was impressed with the machine that flame brands the bats before shipment. One of the operators let Levi hold the bat and feel the heat from the freshly burned Louisville Slugger logo.
Alas, we weren't allowed to take photos in the factory, so all we can do is describe it.
After the factory tour we visited the museum. We held (with white cotton gloves) and took photos with game-used bats from Boston's David Ortiz (Melissa, Dylan, and Levi) and Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle (Jason and Colin) and Rod Carew (Carson).
We also saw a variety of authentic bats, including the thick handled ones used by Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Jimmie Foxx; the improbably big bat of Roberto Clemente (35-inch, 36 ounce); infamous bats including Shoeless Joe Jackson's "Black Betty" and George Brett's pine tar version; and the bats of many, many more.
The kids also enjoyed mimicing the poses of wax statues of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Ken Griffey, Jr., and climbing on the Bunyanesque glove sculpture. Levi also got to hit in a kids' sized batting cage.
All in all, what a great stop.
From there, it was 550-ish miles to Frederick, Md. After lunch at the Louisville Jimmy John's, dinner at a table outside the Bridgeport (W.Va.)Wendy's, and a late snack at the Cumberland (Md.) Chick-Fil-A, we arrived in Frederick around 11:30 p.m. Odd to say, but we are home at last.
Except that we don't have a home yet (we have one under contract, but are having issues with the appraisal and are shopping again for a backup). We're hopeful to iron it out during the next couple weeks and move in before Labor Day. For now, our home is the Frederick Holiday Inn -- it's not much but it's near the mall and has a pool, two things we couldn't say about our home in Vegas.
To be honest, it's kind of a drag not to be on the road. We saw a lot of this great country, met many great people, and ate at a lot of fun and unique places (we had a blast at the Chick-Fil-A in Cumberland last night; they thought it was funny that we were moving from Vegas to Frederick and took great care of us, and the kids loved the attention). Reality hasn't set in yet, but it's coming (and it's coming fast).
Thanks for tagging along, and for not backseat driving.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Day 10 of the Drive East (part 1): Louisville to Frederick
After 10 days, 3,000+ miles, a couple dozen bathroom stops, a tanker full of fuel, around 750 songs on the iPod, and thousands of dead bugs on the windshield, we finally made it to Maryland.
We actually reached the Maryland border around 9 p.m. after leaving Louisville in the early afternoon and working our way through the gorgeous hills and valleys of Kentucky and West Virginia. From the far western Maryland border (and after a stop at the Cumberland, Md., Chick-Fil-A) we reached our hotel in Frederick around 11:30 p.m.
Now, we're tired and ready for bed. The reality that the vacation is over and we're at our new home has begun to set in, and it's a bit unsettling. We've got photos and details of the day, but they'll be posted tomorrow. Good night...
We actually reached the Maryland border around 9 p.m. after leaving Louisville in the early afternoon and working our way through the gorgeous hills and valleys of Kentucky and West Virginia. From the far western Maryland border (and after a stop at the Cumberland, Md., Chick-Fil-A) we reached our hotel in Frederick around 11:30 p.m.
Now, we're tired and ready for bed. The reality that the vacation is over and we're at our new home has begun to set in, and it's a bit unsettling. We've got photos and details of the day, but they'll be posted tomorrow. Good night...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 9 of the Drive East: good eats on Route 66, and parking lot football
Day 9. Yikes. That makes the trip sound long. We're in Louisville tonight, a one day drive from Frederick. We're almost there. We changed our watches to the Eastern time zone as we crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky. That's when the reality of how close we are to being Easterners sunk in.
We started the day in St. Louis with a tour of the Arch and its underground museum. The best part: a temporary exhibit on baseball in St. Louis. Lots of history on the Cardinals and previous teams like the American League Browns and the Negro League Stars. They had scavenger hunt sheets that Carson, Dylan, and Levi filled out, too, which they enjoyed.
We also went to Route 66 to eat at one of the real landmarks on the old trail: Carl's Drive In. It looked exactly like it must have when it was new in the 1950s. Two Formica counters, with eight bar stools at each counter and no other seating. We managed to get seven seats, all in a row. We drank IBC root beer poured from a giant barrel into frosty mugs and chowed on great burgers, hot dogs, fries, and onion rings.
The server was great -- obviously a mother herself, she kept our kids in line. When she reached out for some fries, Dylan slid them to his plate. Our server put them back where she placed them, between Dylan's plate and Levi's, and told Dylan: "Don't forget, you're sharing."
She also encouraged Levi to finish his hot dog: "C'mon. You need to finish that hot dog. You're a big enough boy."
We met a woman at the counter who was a long-time resident from the neighborhood. She was impressed that we made our way to Carl's Drive In (after eating there, we agreed). She said there were two places in St. Louis you had to visit to know St. Louis: Carl's Drive In and Ted Drewes.
So we went next to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, also on Route 66, for dessert. Levi had a vanilla cone, and the rest of us had "concretes", their super thick version of a milk shake (thick enough they can hand it to you upside down). What a great treat -- especially on a hot, muggy day.
Levi was duly impressed with both spots, as he kept telling us he wanted to move to Route 66.
Then we were off to Louisville. We stopped for dinner at a roadside Wendy's (not every meal can be at a landmark) that had a huge parking lot. Jason and the boys played some football to shake off the road rust.
Levi was the center, hiking the ball to Jason. Instead of "hut 1" or "hike", they chose a word that meant Levi would hike it. So if the word was "Red Sox", Jason would call "Cardinals, Reds, Indians, Angels, Dodgers...Red Sox", Levi would hike the ball, and the boys went out for passes.
Eventually Levi decided he wanted to quarterback, so Jason hiked the ball. The word to hike the ball was "Coca Cola". Levi did it perfectly, almost: "Dr. Pepper, Sprite, Root Beer...(whisper) what's the word again? Oh yeah...(loud) Coca Cola!"
Tomorrow we'll visit the Louisville Slugger factory and museum in downtown Louisville, then try to cover the long drive to Maryland. Wish us luck...
We started the day in St. Louis with a tour of the Arch and its underground museum. The best part: a temporary exhibit on baseball in St. Louis. Lots of history on the Cardinals and previous teams like the American League Browns and the Negro League Stars. They had scavenger hunt sheets that Carson, Dylan, and Levi filled out, too, which they enjoyed.
We also went to Route 66 to eat at one of the real landmarks on the old trail: Carl's Drive In. It looked exactly like it must have when it was new in the 1950s. Two Formica counters, with eight bar stools at each counter and no other seating. We managed to get seven seats, all in a row. We drank IBC root beer poured from a giant barrel into frosty mugs and chowed on great burgers, hot dogs, fries, and onion rings.
The server was great -- obviously a mother herself, she kept our kids in line. When she reached out for some fries, Dylan slid them to his plate. Our server put them back where she placed them, between Dylan's plate and Levi's, and told Dylan: "Don't forget, you're sharing."
She also encouraged Levi to finish his hot dog: "C'mon. You need to finish that hot dog. You're a big enough boy."
We met a woman at the counter who was a long-time resident from the neighborhood. She was impressed that we made our way to Carl's Drive In (after eating there, we agreed). She said there were two places in St. Louis you had to visit to know St. Louis: Carl's Drive In and Ted Drewes.
So we went next to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, also on Route 66, for dessert. Levi had a vanilla cone, and the rest of us had "concretes", their super thick version of a milk shake (thick enough they can hand it to you upside down). What a great treat -- especially on a hot, muggy day.
Levi was duly impressed with both spots, as he kept telling us he wanted to move to Route 66.
Then we were off to Louisville. We stopped for dinner at a roadside Wendy's (not every meal can be at a landmark) that had a huge parking lot. Jason and the boys played some football to shake off the road rust.
Levi was the center, hiking the ball to Jason. Instead of "hut 1" or "hike", they chose a word that meant Levi would hike it. So if the word was "Red Sox", Jason would call "Cardinals, Reds, Indians, Angels, Dodgers...Red Sox", Levi would hike the ball, and the boys went out for passes.
Eventually Levi decided he wanted to quarterback, so Jason hiked the ball. The word to hike the ball was "Coca Cola". Levi did it perfectly, almost: "Dr. Pepper, Sprite, Root Beer...(whisper) what's the word again? Oh yeah...(loud) Coca Cola!"
Tomorrow we'll visit the Louisville Slugger factory and museum in downtown Louisville, then try to cover the long drive to Maryland. Wish us luck...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Day 8 of the Drive East: a day for the birds (penguins and Cardinals)
Jason got up early to work out in the hotel's fitness center (like he does most mornings). When he got back to the room, Levi was up, and he was unhappy. "I wanted to work out with you," he told Jason. Jason told him he couldn't, because you have to be 18 to use the fitness room. Levi was unimpressed: "We could have just told them I'm 19," he said.
That was our first clue we'd have fun today.
We arranged our trip to spend today in St. Louis so we could see the Cardinals play tonight, the first game of their current homestead.
During the day, we took a friend's suggestion and went to the St. Louis zoo.
It was a great zoo. Highlights for us included a giraffe hanging out with an ostrich, the house of bugs, gorillas chasing each other, the Somalian Wild Ass (we're not making that up), and the host of different antelopes.
On a warm, humid day, we especially enjoyed the penguins, which were not only interesting to see but were housed in a room that was around 40 degrees. Cool. Very cool.
Along one stop at the zoo, the animals' area was empty, except for some rather large, uh, droppings. We couldn't figure out what was supposed to be there. Then an elephant wandered into view. Dylan turned around and said matter-of-factly: "No wonder the poop is so big."
Jason and Yvonne spent some time at the zoo taking care of petty details, like trying to resolve some issues with our home purchase in Maryland, coordinating delivery of the vehicle we shipped, postponing the delivery of our household effects, and Jason catching up on some work issues. Multi-tasking, baby.
On our way back to the hotel, a mere four blocks from Busch Stadium, we noticed all the Cardinals fans gathering. We planned to buy tickets at the stadium, but figured we better order then sooner rather than later. We pulled it up online, and then did a quick Google search for discounts. Bingo: a code for 50% off. So we ordered better seats than we expected at half the cost. Jason's sister, who lives in nearby St. Charles, drove over and attended the game with us.
We had a great time. Levi made a friend (a college-age student who sat in front of Levi and high-fived him whenever a good play happened). Carson (wearing some horn-rimmed glasses he borrowed from Mel) kept a meticulous scorebook. And we all enjoyed a 4-1 Cardinal victory.
The highlight was in the bottom of the fifth, with two outs and bases loaded, when the Reds pitcher walked the Cardinals' #2 hitter, bringing up slugger Albert Pujols. The crowd of 40,000+ surged with energy as ZZ Top's "Got Me Under Pressure" blared from the stadium speakers and Pujols stepped to the plate. We were all on our feet. Jason yelled to the kids over the crowd: "this is what we paid to see; the rest was free." Alas, Pujols lined out to left to end the inning, but it was quite a rush while the at bat lasted.
Tomorrow, we'll spend the morning in St. Louis, cross the Mississippi and head east to Louisville, Ky.
That was our first clue we'd have fun today.
We arranged our trip to spend today in St. Louis so we could see the Cardinals play tonight, the first game of their current homestead.
During the day, we took a friend's suggestion and went to the St. Louis zoo.
It was a great zoo. Highlights for us included a giraffe hanging out with an ostrich, the house of bugs, gorillas chasing each other, the Somalian Wild Ass (we're not making that up), and the host of different antelopes.
On a warm, humid day, we especially enjoyed the penguins, which were not only interesting to see but were housed in a room that was around 40 degrees. Cool. Very cool.
Along one stop at the zoo, the animals' area was empty, except for some rather large, uh, droppings. We couldn't figure out what was supposed to be there. Then an elephant wandered into view. Dylan turned around and said matter-of-factly: "No wonder the poop is so big."
Jason and Yvonne spent some time at the zoo taking care of petty details, like trying to resolve some issues with our home purchase in Maryland, coordinating delivery of the vehicle we shipped, postponing the delivery of our household effects, and Jason catching up on some work issues. Multi-tasking, baby.
On our way back to the hotel, a mere four blocks from Busch Stadium, we noticed all the Cardinals fans gathering. We planned to buy tickets at the stadium, but figured we better order then sooner rather than later. We pulled it up online, and then did a quick Google search for discounts. Bingo: a code for 50% off. So we ordered better seats than we expected at half the cost. Jason's sister, who lives in nearby St. Charles, drove over and attended the game with us.
We had a great time. Levi made a friend (a college-age student who sat in front of Levi and high-fived him whenever a good play happened). Carson (wearing some horn-rimmed glasses he borrowed from Mel) kept a meticulous scorebook. And we all enjoyed a 4-1 Cardinal victory.
The highlight was in the bottom of the fifth, with two outs and bases loaded, when the Reds pitcher walked the Cardinals' #2 hitter, bringing up slugger Albert Pujols. The crowd of 40,000+ surged with energy as ZZ Top's "Got Me Under Pressure" blared from the stadium speakers and Pujols stepped to the plate. We were all on our feet. Jason yelled to the kids over the crowd: "this is what we paid to see; the rest was free." Alas, Pujols lined out to left to end the inning, but it was quite a rush while the at bat lasted.
Tomorrow, we'll spend the morning in St. Louis, cross the Mississippi and head east to Louisville, Ky.
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