The World's at Large: The Big Move

I'm not a big fan of moving. As my family would say, "Amanda is not a good mover." Translation- I get emotional and overall just don't handle it well. I think this move was somewhat of an exception. I spent time reminiscing about my time in Virginia with family and friends. After 21 years there I have many memories and am thankful for everyone of them. Some good, some bad, I have learned from all of them. Matt is a good man for tolerating the occasional exorcist-like tantrums during the moving process, but I think overall, I kept myself together pretty well.

Matt began packing our townhouse the last couple weeks while I worked at the hospital and he worked at Friday's. Once I was done with work it was crunch time! The POD was delivered on Wednesday and we began loading it on Thursday. We are grateful for Mel who came over after work with strawberry tart and her muscles to help us load. After Kenny got off work from a DOUBLE he also came to lend his muscles. He's pretty much the man. We enjoyed our last Winchester Thai on paper plates and of course devoured Mel's lovely tart.

The beginning

Will miss Thursday nights!

Wonderful pinot, my favorite!

Almost full and masterfully packed by the Tetris Master!

After finishing packing the POD on Friday we began preparing for our yard sale that was scheduled for the following morning. Matt picked up a shift Friday night so I did most of the organizing and pricing and I have to admit, by the end, I was ready to pull my hair out. The overall exhaustion and exasperation from the process did not assist the matter.

Everything must go!

After getting everything priced and outside we had a really great time taking money for the stuff we were going to give away. The process was stressful but overall was worth it.

After the yard sale on Saturday, they came to pick up the POD which will get delivered to Denver on August 4th.

After the yard sale and POD pick-up, we travelled to my parents where we had a great time. My Mom and I had a nice walk around the property and talked about life. It was really great seeing my parents one last time when we could make the easy drive.

My Dad cooked burgers for the animal eaters and I had awesome roasted veggies and potato salad which was all made from my parent's garden.

My family

always a comedian

A reproduction of a childhood photo of my Dad, so cute!

Birthday tiara and awesome "snickers cake."

BTW, I enjoyed wearing this tiara WAY too much

Happy birthday Dad and Me!

chillin' with a couple brews

After a wonderful breakfast cooked by my Dad on Sunday morning, we headed back to Winchester for our engagement photos. We were a little anxious because of the threat of rain and rain it did.

Ominous clouds 2 hours prior to our photos

See previous blog regarding awesome photos.

Rob and I lived together for 4 years, we have known each other since 2000. He has been a great Uncle to Wendall and great friend and roommate to me. He stopped by the Wed before we left and said bye to Wendall. Wendall hadn't seen him for a year and was SO happy to see him again!

He's making that whining sound he makes when he is really excited.

Wendall hug!

The morning we left we woke up super early and finished loading our cars and clean the apartment before we started driving.

Last sunrise in Winchester

He's ready to get this show on the road already!

All finished!

Packed to the max!

Ready Mommy!

I bought Wendall a car harness so if I had to slam on the breaks he wouldn't go through the windshield. He wasn't fond of it but it was important for him to be safe. Now when I pick up the harness he gets really excited.

Bye funchestertonville!

My Mom got us walkie-talkies so we were able to talk to each other the whole time, saying fun things like, "breaker breaker one niner," "copy that?" "roger dodger?" and "over and out!" It was quite entertaining. I kept myself occupied by listening to audiobooks. I listened to "The Shack" which I didn't finish. It was good at first then I lost interest. I also listened to Tucker Max, "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" which is always entertaining, regardless of the fact that he is an arrogant, egotistical, misogynistic bastard. My favorite book of all time is "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. I have read it many times and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to listen to a reading by the author.

Beautiful WV

Wild and Wonderful

Kentucky, the state of my birth!

This is what Wendall did in many different positions on the trip.

I was beginning to wonder if he is a narcoleptic doggy because he slept almost the entire trip.

Minor traffic jam in KY, we got out and stretched for a few minutes

Louisville, the city of my birth

I needed to stretch after all that driving!

Evansville, Indiana.

We got to Evansville, Indiana pretty late on Tuesday night and didn't get to see much. The hotel clerk did tell us that Don Mattingly's house was a stones throw away from the hotel but we couldn't find it.

Illinois!

We never saw the sign for Missouri, but we did get lost in St. Louis after they routed us off of I-64 and didn't give us any detour signs. It seemed like every street we drove was having some sort of construction. What a mess!

Does it really?

Oh Kansas....

Our hotel was conveniently located directly adjacent to a Hooters.

He's cute!

Some of Kansas is actually quite beautiful

However, the people there are apparently not too bright.

and this is where Kansas becomes ugly...

Finally....Colorado!!!!!!!

YAAAAYYY!!!!!

Pretty cool welcome center

I didn't even know there was such a thing! We were cruising!

Narcoleptic Mr. Wendall

First view of the city

Mile High City!

After getting a little lost we found our apartment. Our leasing agent Toby was really nice and showed us around. Wendall was really excited about the porch and was going in and out for a while. Matt closed the door and something caught Wendall's attention outside and he ran at a full trot into the glass door. It was hilarious! He shook it off and was fine but what a great ending to a great trip!