Too quiet

Not much going on here at 170 other than faxing and fed-exing. Think I may do a little more packing. The weekend was not fun, wishing (even with Irene in the picture)to be there instead of here. Not that there's anything wrong with here! All those who said I wouldn't stay until the house sells- you're absolutely right. What was I thinking?? I lie awake thinking about the house, the job, the weather. Then I'm too tired to deal with the lonely part. So I'll be leaving at the end of September. Turned in my resignation (30 years- aughh). Ready to jump in with both feet.

Quiet morning

It's early, cool, so quiet it seems unnatural. Making the to-do list for the day. Athens farmer's market is on it- I haven't been in weeks. Figuring out the transitional routine.
I'm usually aimless when Annelle is gone. Seems odd for such an independent cuss like me, huh? I guess a few days doesn't a routine make. But a month or so, now that involves some reorganization on my part.

R&R

This afternoon I get to do just about nothing. I'll tell you: I need it. Jack and I are chillaxin on the couch. I'm planning on reading. Many tasks need to be done, but not today.
The reality of the amount of change still to come is daunting. More packing, more moving, paperwork (lots of paperwork).... And when?
I'm not a person who is at home with uncertainty. My stomach (and everything attached to it) is not at home with uncertainty (tmi?).
But Jack is purring, and that helps.

Update

House showing here this evening!! Hope she loves it. And we're closer to having a house in Maine too! Very exciting day.

Ambivalence

At the Portland Jetport way before 6am. LONG line through security- looked like Atlanta, almost! Smooth flight that got in early, so here I am waiting for the Athens shuttle. In the shade it's cool and breezy.
The realtor caravan is headed for our little house this morning. They have a large group come through so they can be knowledgable when they show it. Hopefully they'll see how cute it is and get it sold ASAP.
I am ready to get the move finalized. Very ready. But home is still Athens, for I don't know how long, in my soul. For years I wouldn't have moved away if someone had paid me to leave. This dream may be the craziest thing I've ever done, and I'm ok with that, I think. The leaving friends part, now that's a big wild card. Something for another post.

Busy Monday

Annelle's first day of work. J & D at school meeting. So Bert and I spent the day exploring some of midcoast Maine. Bath and Wiscasset. LL Bean in Freeport. Lots of water crossings. Hoards at Bean (back to school is on the way up here). More exploring before beers at Re Ra's Irish pub. Then one more house to see (sigh). Cute, but not for us. Then a delicious dinner that included some of the best mussels (Anne, you need to try these)I've ever eaten, along with the last extended view of the ocean that I'll have for a while.
So I'm back to Athens very early in the morning. Maybe we'll have a house up here someday soon. Fingers crossed.

Lazy Saturday

69 degrees this morning. Jane's homemade granola, locally picked strawberries, Jittery Joe's coffee. Planning a few drive-bys before a boat trip from Pine Point out into Casco Bay.
The two houses we saw yesterday were absolute busts. Educational as well: the second house's owner was still home and was quite a talker (she had recently had surgery.) Her daughter was watching tv in the living room and she asked us not to disturb her son sleeping in one of the upstairs bedrooms. Oh, and they are tearing the garage down (it's on a second lot) to build a smaller place next door to live. Oh, no.
Annelle lives in Maine! Hoping I follow soon.

Aah, no more state lines to cross

Truck unpacked and returned to Penske. Showers taken. The day is ours!
This morning, driving by the marsh and through tree-lined streets, I am clear about what we're doing here. A few weeks ago when we were here, in the middle of panic, I was not so sure. Those moments may recur (knowing me) but there is a different calm just now.

State of Maine

Crossed into Maine at 5:44pm. Almost there. Can't figure the photo thing out yet but did get the sign as we whizzed by! Unpacking and house hunting tomorrow. Reveling tonight immediately upon arrival.
More when the brain is able.
Wahoo!!!

Lane(s) closed

Next milestone-Scranton, PA. Got on the road this morning a little earlier (0830) and have fewer miles to cover. We all are absolutely over effing roadwork. Seriously. Lanes closed right and left since we've been on I 81. We finally got in just before 11 last night because of all the delays.
Today we expect better travel luck. In the beautiful Poconos with lots of sun and fluffy clouds. The future's so bright we have to wear shades!

Somewhere in Virginia

Still miles to go before we sleep. Waiting for the truck so we can play musical chairs. Refueling. Ice cream? Coffee (yeah, at a gas station)? No-doz?

Herd o' turtles

Greetings from the great state of North Carolina. Followed everyone around this morning with a cloth, whipping up a "buy me" shine all around. Finally pulled out of the ATM at 0912. Heading for Harrisburg, PA tonight, Portland sometime tomorrow evening. Peanuts, Co-Cola, carrots and pimiento cheese (alas, not Marti's) sammiches. Allagash in the cooler for nightcaps.

The Penske Truck

All packed and ready to roll out in the early morning. We have a garage again! The more real it becomes, the more unreal it seems. Planning to blog on the road while in the passenger seat instead of my usual knitting (which I'll do also, to pass the time.) Baby blankets and socks are perfect travel projects.

Insulation

I keep thinking about shedding insulation. Definition (c. 1538) from the Latin insulatus :"to make into an island". Or (c.1785) "cause a person to be detached from surroundings". The heat/electric definitions came later.
So it seems being in one place for so long can increase the insulation in life. Safety, a protective covering. Something that will not exist in the same way in new surroundings. Offering a look outside the protection, to seek other ways of being, doing, living. I don't see it as much a new beginning as another path chosen along the route. A different way to get to the place I've been going all along. Kind of like when the grocery store moves all the food around and you have to actually look at the shelves, which, in doing, causes you to notice things that have been there all along but haven't been as visible in the automaticity of shopping (I make my shopping list by aisles, FYI).
Truck packing tomorrow!

Dirigo

It's Maine's state motto. der'/ri/go, or der'/i/go. Translated: I lead, or I guide. Dere I go! Dare I go? Kind of fitting for this new journey. And new blog.
A lot of the packing is done, the sign is in the front yard (need a cute little house in Athens, GA?)and the caravan leaves on Wednesday. Three travelers, an Element, and a Penske truck. Moving from Georgia to Maine. I still can't believe it's happening.
So I've decided to cronicle the physical, emotional, regional, spiritual (and who knows what else)changes involved. Remember, most of the writing I've done in the last 30 years has been nurse's notes. But I'm kind of excited about what's ahead.
Hope you enjoy the trip.