where to begin?!

The concept of moving across the country is perplexing to me. Where do I begin to pack? We are flying and taking as much as we can in suitcases (thank the Lord for Southwest Airlines and 2 free checked bags each), and the rest of what we want to take we are shipping. We are going to sell all our furniture and our car. The idea is to take as little as possible, only the things that are sentimental/irreplaceable/easy to pack, and going to re-piece together the rest after we move in. But...what am I going to want?! What will be worth it to take and what is easier to just replace?! Ugh. And, how come books have to be so darn heavy and so many different shapes!? I figured out that the large flat rate boxes from the post office are the best deal to ship our books, but for the rest we'll just do the regular slow parcel post. We're still going to save a ton of money over using any type of moving service (I've looked into them all), but sheesh. Moving is no easy task, and moving 3,000 miles away is daunting. Thankfully, I am not too afraid to get rid of things, because after all, most of it is just stuff. I would like to think I'm not too attached to just stuff. We are moving to be closer to family and reduce our cost of living, so that is what is important. We will have a few months to piece back together furniture and things we'll need for a new apartment, since we'll be living with Derek's parents in their massive, beautiful new home for a few months while we're getting on our feet.
On a side note, I am thankful we'll be moving to a place with friendly faces and where there are people that we love. That is one thing that is definitely making this transition exciting. Really, it is one of the main reasons we are going.

fear the beard

I love baseball, and I really love October. 162 games all lead up to a best of 5 series, which leads to a nail biting best of 7, which leads to the World Series...I can hardly handle the stress. I find myself yelling at the tv, heart racing and fists clenched. I love three teams: the Red Sox, the Giants, and whoever is playing the Yankees (I am currently a HUGE Texas Rangers fan).

our first Fenway date, 2007

My husband introduced me to Red Sox Nation--he took me to my first game at Fenway Park the summer we started dating. He paid entirely too much for seats about 40 rows deep in the right field bleachers. They lost to the Blue Jays, but never have I been to a more mesmerizing game. I drank a Sam Summer, ate a Fenway Frank, and donned a rally cap when we were still losing 4-2 in the bottom of the 8th. Fenway is like baseball heaven.

Derek has been a Red Sox fan since he was 5 years old...it was the 1986 World Series, when the Sox were playing the Mets. His uncle Brad got him from his room and told him to come watch the Sox win the World Series. Moments later, a ball trickled through Bill Buckner's legs. Game over. Series over. Mets win. That was the first inning--first PLAY of baseball little Derek had ever seen. He was born a Red Sox fan into great heartache. He made the profound decision as a 5 year old that the Red Sox did not have to win in order for him to love them.
He honestly cried when Keith Foulke underhand tossed the ball to 1st base, securing the final out of the 2004 World Series. He still gets goosebumps when we talk about it, or see replays on tv. He still gets nervous watching those replays, because he thinks he just might make an error, drop that ball, or throw it into the dugout. But no, they still win, every time.

I hope the Giants can pull this one out--its been one heck of a nerve wracking series. Honestly, I think my favorite part has been Brian Wilson's beard.

away we go!

I haven't had a blog since Xanga back in the day! I thought now would be a good time to start writing again, especially since Derek and I are in the process of transitioning across the country. I've done my fair share of moving, living in Oregon, Washington, Illinois, and then California all within the period of 3 years. The last time I really moved, though, was 7 years ago. I was 15 and about to start my sophomore year of high school...weird. I would say time flies but it feels like moving to California was forever ago. Even before I had gotten to California, I told myself that I would get out as soon as I could. To me, it was an over-hyped, over-priced state that had taken me away from so many friends. Well, now, 7 years later, I have to admit that it has grown on me quite a bit, although I'm still reluctant to call it home, in the "I'll always have a desire to move back there" kind of way. I still think its over-hyped and over-priced. I have made a lot of good friends, and have found a love in my heart for the weirdness and beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains. My parents and little brother are still in the Bay Area, and it will be hard not living near them.

More than anything, I am looking forward to a new adventure with my husband. He is an East Coast boy through and through, and he really misses home. I am excited to make New England my home, with him.