I just signed in to post and realized that my last post was exactly a month ago today. That surprises me - it really seems like months since I've taken the time to sit and reflect on what is going on. I'm relieved that I have a chance to sit. I feel like I've been on my feet dealing with boxes for the past 3 months straight. That really is the darn truth. The past 2 months I loaded boxes and last week I began unloading them. I could reflect on how overwhelming it is to pack a box one day and 3 days later, in a different state, you have to unload the same box and find a place to put the stuff. BUT I'd rather report on all of the fun things we have seen and experienced these past 2 weeks.
We left Oak Ridge on Friday morning the 26th - after a quick trip to Asheville to pick up Caroline at camp. We ran by the house to pick up the last few things still there (and the dog) and then we headed to Union City for a few nights with Tim's parents. It was great to visit with them. We slept and ate and relaxed. It was exactly what I needed as I was at the brink of exhaustion.
Sunday we got up early to drive approximately 540 miles. As the miles increased on our odometer, the mercury on the thermometer also increased. By the time we arrived in Dallas, it was 104°. We saw 5 grass fires on the side of the highway within about 20 minutes. Our breaks with Sassafras were brief since it was so hot. She was a fabulous traveller, by the way. I think she loved her own private place in the back of the Yukon XL.
The movers were here when we arrived. They were quite hot. Kenny kept reminding me that he had lived in Dallas for 4 months and that was as long as he could take it. Lucky for them, the next 2 days were cloudy and cool, so it wasn't as unbearable as that first day. It hasn't rained yet since we've been here. One day we might have had a few drops, but not much at all. The kids don't mind, though. As long as it's sunny and hot, they can enjoy the pool as long as they can stand it.
I feel lost in the gigantic grocery stores here. The first trip I took was quite overwhelming and I stuck to the basics - milk, bread, tortillas, butter, eggs, etc. Later that day I decided to stop in at the Central Market. It was so amazing that I had to call Tim in the middle just to tell him how unbelievably unbelievable it was/is. It is most similar to Freshfields? in Kiawah and also similar to Fresh Market - but more like Fresh Market on steriods.
I am doing quite well getting around. If I drive out of my neighborhood and to the right, I can find most anything if I look around enough - and it's all within 7 minutes. Amazing. Time saving. Wallet threatening. HOT.
I think I'll close this post with my neighbor's statement today. He tells his Canadian family that he survives the summers here with 3 things - air conditioning, pools, and frozen margaritas. Yep. That's life in Southlake in a nutshell. Constantly seeking cool air - occasionally floating in the pool - and concocting any frozen beverage to sip before it melts in this extreme heat! I have a feeling my rarely used blender is going to be a permanent fixture on my counter!
