Halfway done!

Today was such a long day! We finally made it to Austin, Minnesota. Last night we stayed in Kirtland, OH. We drove our car to the Kirtland Temple early this morning. It is so beautiful, especially the landscaping surrounding it. Dave saw it four years ago and said that it was all new. The Church has a large stake center just 1/4 mile from the temple and a visitor center at the historical town center with all the old buildings, including the Newel K. Whitney store. I am glad I finally saw it. It was so quiet and peaceful there because the visitor centers were not yet open and no one was around.

The drive was very long and we decided that we did not care much for the Indiana toll way. Very expensive and the service plazas are dirty...they have smoking sections still.

Illinois had awful wind and Dave had to clench the steering wheel to stay on the road. I nearly got blown over when we got out for gas (which we have to get 3 times a day). I thought it was windy in Boston; not so much now.

Tomorrow we have to make it to Billings, MT. I don't know how that will be possible ....well it will be of course but another day in that truck...can't wait for it to be over.

Halfway--point of no return. We'll press forward...like pioneers...just with more power. and worse gas mileage.

And away we go

Truck is loaded and we will leave in about an hour. We have to bring all the garbage to the curb and hook up the car to the truck. We'll be in Ohio tonight, Minnesota tomorrow, and Montana the next night. We'll pull into Woodinville on Monday night. Wish us luck on our journey and I will write about our trip on Tuesday.

To all our Boston friends: we will hold you dear to our hearts and miss you. Thank you for taking care of us while we've lived here. Goodbye.

To our NW friends and family: we can't wait to see you. You are the main reason we are moving there. See you soon.

Four days to go

Last Friday was my last day of work. My co-workers took me out to Kinsale and we sat on their patio and relaxed while watching busy traffic of Cambridge Street and listening to the soundtrack of the barbeque competition on the plaza. Kinsale is a happening after work hang out and I ran into an old friend I made interning a few years ago. Former co-workers even came by. It was so great to see them. My co-workers autographed the city seal for me. I can't wait to have it in my new office in my great new job (positive thinking here of course as have no job).

Last night, my friend Michelle threw me a party and many of my friends that I made in church showed up. Michelle made a great little book with their pictures in it and they wrote nice things in it...at least I think they were nice things...I do not have the finished product yet. I teared up when she showed it to me before people signed things. Michelle is a great friend and has looked after me for the year that I have lived in South Boston. I have loved getting to know her and her family.

Today I am studying and writing essays. These really cramp my hand. It is difficult to make it through writing one essay; I don't know how I will be able to write nine in one day and then come back again the next day to write nine more.

We get to pack tonight...the next night...and the next night.