our last night in the green house with the lemon tree
February 11th, 2010
This is when the whole moving-across-the-country thing gets easier, once the movers are here and have packed up most of our belongings. We’ve already organized and sorted and done laundry and figured out what we need to take with us on our road trip and set that all aside. Once the movers take everything else with them, it’s not our responsibility any more. Now we just have to drive, find pet-friendly hotels with pools to stay at, visit some family and friends along the way, and find a place to live once we get there, preferably before Troy has to start his new job. Piece of cake. (Ha.)
The house is full of boxes, stacks and stacks of them. The movers left our beds up so we could stay here tonight. Tomorrow we’ll do a last load of laundry to wash the sheets and towels we’re using, and then those will all get packed and loaded onto the truck with everything else.
Our dear friends the Jays are moving to Japan next week. What with one thing and another, we hadn’t seen them in months. We barely managed to see them at all before we all left California. From the time Troy got home till now, we were pretty much busy every day they were free and vice-versa. But they managed to carve out a couple of hours between meetings and appointments and entertaining out-of-town visitors to come have lunch with us today, and we’re so very glad they did. Seeing them is always wonderful, even when months or years have gone by in between times, which makes perfect sense because they’re framily.
Framily is D’s fabulous word for friends who are such great friends that they’re like family. Except framily is better, because there’s no baggage, no drama or getting mad if you can’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner. There’s just, “Too bad, hope you can make it next time!” Everyone should have framily like the Jays.
We had a great crew of guys packing us out today. They were all efficient, professional, friendly, and courteous. We always bribe our movers to handle our stuff with care show our appreciation to our movers by supplying them with drinks and food throughout the day. Usually we have coffee, bottled water, and soda on hand as well as offering to buy them pizza or some other takeout for lunch. This morning I was going to make a Starbucks run, and went around the house asking each of the guys if I could bring them back a coffee. One guy asked for black coffee, another said decaf with cream would be great. And the biggest, burliest, tattooed-est guy asked if I could get him a grande iced caramel macchiato. That totally made my day.
Tomorrow they’ll load up the truck. Our car will get picked up so it can get shipped across the country. We’ll clean and take care of some odds and ends, maybe go see a movie if we have time, eat dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. Saturday the carpet will be cleaned, we’ll meet with our landlords, and then we’ll head east. Good thing we’re planning to visit family in Texas for a couple of days along the way; that’ll give the snow more time to melt before we get to D.C.
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This makes me so sad! Have a safe trip, dear hearts, and keep in touch :) Thinking of you!
Have a nice, safe trip across the states! And, yes, take your time- we have WAY too much snow here in DC!
Bye bye green house.
It was nice to know thee.
Traveling mercies on your trip across the USA. I am happy you’re moving to my side of the world ;) Hope to meet you in person this summer.
Safe Travels!
I am total lurker to your blog but I really enjoy it. The last month your posts have just amazed me – you are such a joyful person – a caring mom, a loving wife, a great friend, crafty, artistic, great baker – amazing! And now to see how organized your packing is – it puts me to shame as I haven’t moved and my house is a shambles (maybe I need to move to clear out years of junk and clutter that I can’t seem to part with). Anyways, good luck and welcome to the East Coast! I have really been inspired lately by your posts – and reading SAJ’s on your goodbye party was so sweet. It made me realized that many of my friends and I are almost this silent passive aggressive contest as to who has a busier/crazier life. I am going to take my cue from you – who cares who is busier – maybe I can make someone’s life a little nicer through a card, a muffin, something instead of thinking “oh I’m just too busy”. Thanks for the wake up call – and please keep blogging – I really enjoy all of your posts! Wishing you a wonderful journey and much happiness – you will certainly create a home out of whatever house you find!
I just love that I actually SAW that house before you left it; it was a great little house in a nice little area. And wow, I really slept well in Annalie’s room – THANKS ANNALIE!
Can’t wait to see what new digs you find in DC.
And it brings me joy to see Troy in all these photos!!
Wow, you sound so organized! Good luck on the rest of the move. And ditto what Kandi says–don’t be in a big hurry to get here there’s WAAAAAY too much snow. I think we’re getting more Monday??
Many Blessings!
Wow – time really does fly! I remember being jealous of your lemon tree on Day 1…and now I’m sad you’re leaving it. I am happy you’re coming to the East Coast, though – maybe we’ll get to meet up sometime!
Hi Bethany!
I know I am only an e-acquaintance, I wish you every success for your move and safe travels. I love reading your blog and your adventures as a mom–your pictures are fantastic. I hope that maybe one day we can meet in person and you can show me how to bake bread!
Your non-stalker friend @mrsjoshuaford
What an adventure – and you seem so calm and cheerful! Fingers crossed for a smooth move and a fun road trip across the country. I imagine you’ll be passing through some pretty different landscapes.
Love the term framily!!! So true!! Its also really nice to see Troy in the pictures again! :) I bet you guys are all really happy to have him back!! Good luck with everything! Hope you have safe and smooth travels!!
I totally remember the day (okay, the blog post) you found this awesome house. I’ll miss it, but here’s to a new start and new place in the East!
I’ll miss that house too! I hope you find another with a library! I guess this means I shouldn’t mail Christmas presents there? And the Jays are moving to Japan!?!? We should all go visit at the same time!
Have a safe trip, Actuallys!
Bye, lemon tree!
How exciting and sad at the same time…
Are you going to fly Brenda out to unpack your boxes once you find a place to live? :)
I really don’t think this snow will melt ever. Seriously, I hope you all have some warm clothes by the time you get here :) I just keep thinking about summertime at the beach!
Um…you do realize it’s snowing in Texas today? ;)
Maybe it’s to prepare you for the DC snow.
I wish I’d gotten to meet you before you left the West Coast. Have a safe trip, and enjoy! Try not to stress!!
sigh. I’ll miss the green house with the lemon tree too. but your attitude about frequent moves makes it easier on us all, and undoubtedly you too. can’t wait to hear about the next adventure!
Hope the weather cooperates atleast until you get across the country. Have fun and good luck on your house hunting. You are welcome to stop by here if you want, otherwise I’m just planning on coming up to see you once you’re settled.
I’m sad that you’re leaving your green house! I remember when you moved in. You’ve had such great adventures there. But I know your new home & location will provide you with just as many adventures!
Safe travels!
I can’t believe you won;t be there the next time I come down!
Safe travels and a lot of fun on your road trip. :)
I know we didn’t spend much time together while you were here, but I totally got teary reading these. As though somehow you were just kidding about moving across the country and I’d see you next week.
Sigh.
Miss you.
Framily is the best! Safe travels, Actuallys! I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Safe travels across the country. But seriously, take your time. This snow will take forever to melt! It is a bit crazy here in Baltimore, and DC sounds just as bad even thought they got less snow. The kids are loving it though, so I am trying to be patient. I just think about the beach and somehow make it through each winter!
Even though I didn’t know you personally, I feel an empty spot with you moving. I know that change is good though. Can’t wait to read about your next adventures! Hopefully I will be able to finish a blanket from your spiral pattern and add it to your flikr group!
Safe travels across the Country, will see you on the other side, hopefully when there is less snow on the ground.
I can’t believe how positive and upbeat you are about your move, I would be a bawling wreck, I am even tearing up for you saying good-bye.
I miss you already. Earlier today I ran to pick up some things at Target and I saw a dress that looked like something Annalie would wear and I started to get teary eyed in the aisles of Target. I felt like such a goober.
I’ll miss that house and all the fun that was had there. I hope you have safe travels and find a new place in a timely manner.
My mom told me that her and my dad want to travel back East to see the cherry blossoms this spring. Maybe I can tag along with them and manage to visit you.
I forgot to say that the tatooed guy asking for the grande iced caramel macchiato made me snort, hahaha
Have a safe trip and send me your new address when you get it. I got a little something for Annalie for when she gets into her new home. :) Though it’s not really for the home and I guess I could have sent it before but yeah…you know how bad I am with going to the post office.
best of luck for the travels, i’m looking forward to reading all about your adventures in DC. i’m sad that you have to leave California, but thinking about it, you’re actually moving closer to us ;)
Moving is always bitter sweet. I’d like to extend you an early welcome to DC. And yes, definitely take your time. I don’t know if all the snow will melt before March or April.
i can’t believe you are moving again!
safe travels and if you come through Oklahoma instead of Texas, I would love to have ya’ll!
OMSH had my thoughts exactly – so glad I got to see this cute little house that I’m sure will be missed. Safe travels to you all & happy house hunting once you get there!