Things I Will Miss About Ephrata

1. Friends

Yes, I know, I've complained all year about my lack of friends here. But I did meet some great people through Justin's work, the school, and library and feel like if we'd stayed longer more of them would have become friends. Or maybe I just have this fantasy of having "book friends", or more likely "British book friends". Not like a Book Club, but having friendships like the ones I read about. Women getting together for coffee, lunch, plotting revenge, covering up crimes, shopping, etc. Oh wait! I did go to a movie with a friend this past year. Haven't done that since I went to Dead Poet's Society at The Garland Theater in about 1990 with Beth Tensfeld. I kind of felt like a real grown-up with a life. No children were involved in the screening of that movie night.



2. Grant Elementary School

How lucky were we to enroll the girls in this school last year? I mean really, a school as great as Bay View? (because yes, we are looking forward to returning to BV) The staff and teachers were phenomenal. Friendly, helpful, grateful, all sorts of great -ly and -ful words! Both girls did great. It'll be interesting to see how Audrey does with handwriting since they learned D'Nealian this year. Emma's doing cursive now so it shouldn't be a big change for her. But will they ask Audrey to now remove her "monkey tails"?



3. The library

Not only because I didn't have to pay to use it. (yes, I realize I still pay for it with my taxes, blah blah blah, but I'd rather do it that way) I had so much fun volunteering there and chatting with the staff. Yes, I know, chatting rather too much! The access to books was outstanding! I think 28 libraries are in the North Central Regional Library as well as the mail order book department. I've gotten pretty much every book I've wanted. There are a few series I've gotten hooked on (you can probably tell from my book list), and absolutely none of the authors I've been reading like that are available at the Burlington Library. None! No Kelley Armstrong, no Lori Avocato, no Kerrelyn Sparks, no Marilyn Pappano...



4. That certain smell

I have no idea what it is or quite how to describe it. It arrives in the late afternoon/early evening on the hot early summer nights. You know how you can smell rain? Well this is almost like you can smell plants growing. Not the flowers, but the actual stalks. It feels like I'm smelling a field of wheat mixed with wildflowers close in together. Did I smell this growing up in Spangle too? Is that why I notice and like it? The nostalgia?



5. The cute downtown

Downtown is home to lots of gift type shops. Jewelry, home decorations, Webkinz, lotions and soaps, books, and whimsy. Just cute enough to take friends and family to when they visit. And it's easy to park! Sure Burlington has a downtown, and maybe it's even cute, but all that angled parking freaks me out. It's bad enough that I'm often about to hit somebody coming out of a parking space, I really don't like being the one backing out!



6. The lack of rain

Can you imagine a summer where you could plan an outdoor activity pretty much any day and not worry about it raining on you? And in the fall and winter the sky can actually be clear and blue. I've thoroughly enjoyed the fact that I don't need to wipe Lucy's paws each time she comes in the house. However, this lack of rain does mean an overabundance of dust.



Well, that's about it. What a strange year! It started out with me sure we'd hate it, suddenly realizing that I really really liked it, then going back to the "what on earth are we doing here" feeling, and finally thinking that it could be a good place to be for a few years. Of course that last one happened to coincide with Justin switching jobs.



That was certainly a good procrastination moment! I suppose now I should start filling some boxes. I hate moving. I hope the next time I move it's in a body bag.



The best things said come last. People will talk for hours saying nothing much and then linger at the door with words that come with a rush from the heart. ~Alan Alda

I think it's really happening

We're actually moving! I mean, I realize I've known about this for a few months. But still! Of course now I'm heading into panic mode. And believe it or not, my panic is not necessarily regarding the packing portion of the move. It's all the stuff I'm normally quite good at that has me freaked. Because I haven't done anything about it. What am I normally good at? Setting up/cancelling utilities and changing addresses. All those great things that I can do instead of actually packing!

Justin has started his new job and is liking it so far. Today is only Day 3, so it could change....

The girls are at Grandma Sugar's house until we get moved. Thanks Barbara and Del!! I've been able to pack up their bedroom completely. Well, OK, not completely. But I'm getting there. I talked to the girls last night and they are having a blast. Lots of time on the boats, playing in the fort, swinging, bike riding, sewing, and just plain having fun. Audrey stepped on a nail under the fort, but she's doing fine now. Grandma got it all cleaned up. And since she's only 7 her tetanus shots are up to date!

Last Saturday night we went to the Tom Petty concert at The Gorge with Dan and Nancy. It was very fun! The best part of course was seeing D & N. Before we left for the concert we had a few people over for clams and crab. The best part was serving those two yummies to people who'd never had them before. At least not like this! It all went over fairly well I'd say.

I have no idea why I'm awake right now. You know me, I can usually sleep in quite well. (hey, maybe I actually have two things I do "quite well". I wonder if there are any others) Despite going to bed late last night I was wide awake at 7am. I really do need to train myself to get up earlier---especially with school starting soon.

I think I've procrastinated long enough. Time to shower so I can make my zillions of phone calls and pack some boxes. I may actually have this house packed up by the weekend. I've never accomplished that with any of our moves. I sure hope this is the last move.....ever!

Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment. ~Robert Benchley