Where to start!?

Life has been so hectic lately that I haven't had a chance to update. For similar reasons, I have no idea where to start with this update.... but where I left off would probably be good!

Most of you know we've made it back from Texas safe and sound after finding a house in Texas. It was a long (or not so long, really ... just 6 days that seemed to last an eternity!) and grueling process that resulted in a bit of frustration, some (or a lot) of tears and finally happiness and a home inspection. Our new house is small at about 1,450 square feet, which I think is perfect ... less to clean and keep cool in the summer, but enough space to not feel cramped. Our new kitchen has a cute little nook where I can sit and talk to Mike while he cooks, and an area that will work great for baking (be expecting some candy buckeyes come Christmas time!). The main living space is very open, so it will be easy to entertain new friends. We also finally have a space for a dining room that doesn't involve hitting the table with the back door when we open it ;) The puppies will have their very own yard to run around in and we can finally separate our office from our spare bedroom! The funny thing -- both of our spare bedrooms are 10x10, which I thought was going to be much too small. When we got home, Mike measured our office/spare room here, and it's 10x10 with an extra 2 feet where the door opens into the room. Those size rooms will be perfect, seeing as now we have two and we're used to just one. The condo in Chesapeake has been a great first home ... we live in a beautiful neighborhood with great sidewalks for walking the dogs and wonderful neighbors. We're close to the grocery store, the highway and all the other stores we like to have around, but it's still quiet at home. And as much as I sometimes hated my commute, I found a schedule that worked and Mike and I could get back and forth between Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake with relative ease. But I still must admit that I'm very excited to own a house with a garage, a backyard and an attic for storage. I'm also excited to have my own mailbox, which probably makes me a little weird ... I'm okay with that, though :) It's such a bittersweet time ... I am so sad to leave Virginia, and so excited to get to Texas.

The area we'll be living in is beautiful and convenient. Like here, we're close to everything we could need (Target, PetsMart, the YMCA, bookstores ... okay, that's just me!) and want (great restaurants, parks, the lake and the boardwalk). Well, everything we need and want except for family and friends, but I keep telling myself this is why I have an e-mail account and a cell phone. We're about 25 minutes from Mike's office and 25 minutes from downtown Houston, so the location is perfect. I'm looking forward to exploring it a bit more and getting involved in what seems to be a great community.

The list of things I will miss in Virginia grows exponentially every day. Today has been a tough day because I said goodbye to some great colleagues, co-workers and friends. I couldn't even say goodbye to everyone at work because I started with one of the girls I should have visited last. I didn't feel like crying, so I just walked right out of the building afterwards. I hate goodbyes. So, I will definitely miss all of the people who have helped me grow in my field and those who have shared all of the struggles and successes at the Museum over the past two years. I will miss the friends who have kept me laughing through all the good and bad times. I will miss some great local restaurants we've discovered ... Hell's Kitchen, Bella Italia, Tautogs, Lynnhaven Fish House, etc ... and my all-time favorite coffee shop and ice cream parlor. I'm not sure what I'll do without my weekly fill of Kona coffee! Luckily, I know a few people who are as addicted as I am, so it should be fairly easy to have some coffee beans shipped my way! I will miss being close to a friend I've had for years and a short drive away from the Outer Banks and Washington D.C. I wish we'd spent more time in both, and done more exploring around Virginia, so traveling around Texas is a top priority once we get settled.

It's just so weird to think that tomorrow is our last day in Virginia and in less than a month, we'll be living 24 hours from all of the homes we've ever known! I'm pretty sure my mind is choosing not to acknowledge the big changes, but my body is definitely feeling the stress! I am so sad and so excited all at the same time, and I've been taking the longest naps of my life at night.

Chances are, if you're reading this, I'm going to miss you a lot. Please keep in touch and let me know if you ever feel like visiting! And I'll let you know if (or when) I'm Virginia-bound for a visit. And if you happen to be in Ohio, hopefully I'll see you soon!