Houston, we have landed

We made it!! After 3 long days of driving, we have finally arrived at our new home. We had an eventful 3 days, but it was quite the adventure. The greatest story is how we experienced southern hospitality for the first time...

After refilling at a gas station somewhere outside the great town of Bucksnort, Arkansas, (yes, Bucksnort) we got back in the car to realize our car battery was completely dead. The plugs were totally corroded. One guy stopped to give us a jump, but the car failed to start. Mike and I just looked at eachother like "what are we going to do??" Then a group of managers from Geico insurance rolled into the gas station. They were driving RVs that people use during catastrophes back to Houston. Coinky-dink? I don't think so. These were THE nicest people! They first tried to give us a jump, then helped Mike to scrape off some of the corrosion from the plugs. That still didn't work. One guy went inside to ask the store clerk where the closest auto supply store was. That guy came out to our car, phone in hand, to find out what kind of battery we needed. Turns out, he was on the phone with the auto aupply store, which closed in 10 minutes. The guy at the store not only had the battry we needed, but kept the store open until we got there. One of the Geico guys drove Mike to the store, while the other 2 men stayed with the girls and me. It was a total blessing that these guys came at the right time. Let me tell you, had this happened in Detroit, we would have walked 2 miles to the auto store just to be told they're closed and we'll have to come back tomorrow. Then we would have slept in our car.

Our second experience with southern hospitality...

First of all, let me remind you about that hurricane I was driving toward. Since my mom lives in a high-rise condo on the 17th floor, she not only is still without power, but also is without water. The building's generator only has enough juice to pump water up to the 9th floor and light the lobby. SO, mom's good friends, Carolyn and David, have taken in us refugees. They have a big house just 5 minutes from my mom's. They have given our family the entire second floor which has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 "sitting" rooms, a library, 2 tvs, and a computer. I tell you, it's almost nicer than being in my own house! Carolyn & David also have a playroom with a large screen TV...my kids are in heaven.

So our move to Houston is starting off a little rough, but we are happy to be here nonetheless.

It only makes sense...

that I should leave Michigan to head toward a hurricane. Many of you probably don't know that the reason I came to Michigan in the first place was to avoid the impact of Hurricane Georges (a cat. 4 storm) in Puerto Rico. I was supposed to stay a week visiting friends while PR regained electricity. But then my friends convinced me to stay longer. 9 years later, I'm still here. BUT, now I'm leaving again and heading straight for Hurricane Ike's path of destruction. For some reason it feels like I'm heading home.

I've been tagged!

*Tagged by Michelle*

THE FIVE
10 years ago I:
1. Graduated high school
2. Moved from Puerto Rico to Michigan
3. Had a one-year-old, Nadja
4. Worked as a hostess at the Pancake House in Grosse Pointe

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. STUDY...I have an accounting final tonight
2. Go to the gym
3. Make something with pumpkin (gotta get rid of this food!)
4. Visit with friends & family (every minute is valueable right now)
5. Pack and pack some more

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. chips and dip (any dip really)
2. chocolate
3. cucumbers
4. cheese pretzels
5. bananas & peanut butter on toast

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off student loans
2. Travel
3. Have more babies
4. Invest
5. Buy a new car (oh c'mon- you would too!)

5 places I have lived:
1. Virginia/DC
2. Pennsylvania
3. Puerto Rico
4. Michigan
5. And Texas in 5 days!

Five jobs I have had:
1. Student
2. Bagger at Smith's
3. Hostess at the Pancake House
4. Accounting Clerk
5. Mom

Great Quotes

Michaela told Mike, "Daddy, I have Jesus in my heart." (Thanks Ms. Lisa for the Bible sing-a-long cd! It is hilarious!)

Nadja the other day: "Can I please, please, please, PLEASE go to school tomorrow??!!" My reply..."NO!" (I didn't see the point in putting her through 2 weeks of middle school here since we're leaving so soon)

Nadja again:" If only we had lava in this neighborhood. Then I could study it." (She was questioning if rocks melted under extreme heat)

Bishop Bear has moved

Sadly, my Mom lives in a high-rise condo that does not allow dogs of this size. So while we are shacking it up at her place, Bishop Bear has gone to live with my Aunt Mary & Uncle Ray in Chicago. (Who coincidently, are moving to Dallas in May) He left Monday for his 8-month stay. Lucky for him though, because he won't have to endure this anymore.

The countdown is on!

We are leaving Michigan exactly 2 weeks from today. Here's the update for those that care...My kitchen table/desk is gone and in storage along with almost everything else we won't need within the next year or so. The walls are bare and the house now echos. I have taken so many trips to the Salvation Army they know me by name, and the garbage men will soon start avoiding our street altogether. We found THE most perfect renters. A couple with 2 young children. The parents are both black belts in karate. He owns a karate school and she is a professional fighter. Wow. I know. Both kids also compete in martial arts. I'm bummed that I won't be here to get to know them more, cause I sure would like to! They also are interested in possibly buying the house after the year lease is up. Oh yeah- and they move in the day after we move out. How great is that? Pretty great! I was in Wal-Mart this morning and noticed they had fall decor all around the store. I checked the weather, and yep-it's still 94 degrees in Houston. I guess I won't need my sweater box out of storage quite yet. That's about it for now...check back later.

The Ladies

These are the ladies from the 'hood...Cathy, (Me), Jillian, Lisa, and Michaela. These are the ladies that I do the garage sale with every spring, go trick-or-treating with every Halloween, BBQ with on every holiday, watch fireworks with every 4th of July, and talk to every day. They have basically been my family since we moved to Center Line 8 years ago. Even our kids are best friends. I cannot even describe how much they mean to me and how much I am going to miss them. ugh...I'm getting emotional just thinking about saying goodbye.