I'm about to go give my summer school finals while Austin and my mother-in-law finish the last of the moving out stuff. It was a late night in spite of our best efforts to be really organized and prepared. I think we are both tired and disappointed that it took longer than we had planned for, evening knowing that it always takes longer than you think. It took waaaaay longer and poor Austin and Paula will be doing last minute cleaning and junk removal.
I'll feel better at noon when I know for sure they are checked out. Some friends will help me grade final exams and I have one last hair appointment before we leave (finally found a good stylist after four years here, just in time to move).
I'll be updating the blog as we go from my cell phone so watch for short blurbs. After last night, driving for two days sounds really relaxing. Texas, here we come!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
TX - 3
It's been a blur but that's how it goes. Just a quick update, packing is well underway and we're filling the truck tomorrow. I also give my last classes tomorrow, have a potluck at work, give a makeup final, then head home to help poor Austin. Thursday is final exam day and we will officially be checked out of our townhouse.
So for now, we're putting out trash for the 5am pickup and then crashing.
So for now, we're putting out trash for the 5am pickup and then crashing.
Friday, July 25, 2008
TX - 7
One week to go... Today I spent a good chunk of time moving furniture around. We have pieces being picked up by various people so I'm trying to stage it in the living room but I'm still trying to keep our rooms livable. For example, clearing out my dresser meant putting my close in two plastic bins that also became nightstands. I also did some packing and packed all the pots and pans. This meant that our shrimp kung pao had to be done in the microwave which I actually thought was fine but scared Austin. It sort of feels like college/backpacking Europe/Up North Cabin living if that makes any sense.
I also met up with my Auntie M for coffee/chai tea. She lives in Eau Claire and is awesome and is the person who changed my life as a kid when she said "I think Kelly will be an author and live in Paris" (see aforementioned reference to study abroad). We had a wonderful time and it would have been nice to have had the afternoon to chat away but alas, I had to go pick up packing materials from my brother (pallet wrapping rocks!) and I had to get home to get rid of a desk to someone who could use it.
After all that, I did a little more packing, had dinner with Austin (microwaved shrimp kung pao), and got rid of some of my container gardener stuff through freecycle.
Now we're relaxing a little, doing some laundry, and trying to track the Godfreys' flight to Korea.
Whew. But that's a good "whew."
I also met up with my Auntie M for coffee/chai tea. She lives in Eau Claire and is awesome and is the person who changed my life as a kid when she said "I think Kelly will be an author and live in Paris" (see aforementioned reference to study abroad). We had a wonderful time and it would have been nice to have had the afternoon to chat away but alas, I had to go pick up packing materials from my brother (pallet wrapping rocks!) and I had to get home to get rid of a desk to someone who could use it.
After all that, I did a little more packing, had dinner with Austin (microwaved shrimp kung pao), and got rid of some of my container gardener stuff through freecycle.
Now we're relaxing a little, doing some laundry, and trying to track the Godfreys' flight to Korea.
Whew. But that's a good "whew."
Thursday, July 24, 2008
TX - 8
Had a great day teaching, did a lot of packing, and then I went to see my dad speak at a conference about manufacturing jobs. It was interesting to me since it was about his work and education, not to mention his life's passion. It ended up being a late but really enjoyable night.
I don't teach tomorrow but have a few things to take care of tomorrow in addition to getting another good sprint done on the packing.
I don't teach tomorrow but have a few things to take care of tomorrow in addition to getting another good sprint done on the packing.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
T(X) - 9
Today I taught in the morning and had really good classes. The first class started the chapter on food and had a lot of cultural questions. The second class was doing commands and giving advice and they were pretty funny about it. I love the small class size in summer school and how they all bond and get along.
I then met a friend for lunch and another for dinner for more so long moments. I came home, graded quizzes, and now I'm getting ready for bed. After tomorrow, I'll only have four days of class left. Unbelievable. But for now, I just want to get through class tomorrow, pack all afternoon and all day Friday, and "earn" a fun night with friends on Saturday.
I then met a friend for lunch and another for dinner for more so long moments. I came home, graded quizzes, and now I'm getting ready for bed. After tomorrow, I'll only have four days of class left. Unbelievable. But for now, I just want to get through class tomorrow, pack all afternoon and all day Friday, and "earn" a fun night with friends on Saturday.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Big Ten
Only 10 days until we leave and now it's time to get serious about packing. We still have some things to sort out with the wet boxes (just dumped things into temporary rubbermaid bins) and are waiting for the box fan down stairs to work it's magic (/sarcasm). It's hard to do things after work when we're both tired but luckily we'll be in EC this weekend, our last weekend in the area!
One good thing about next week is that we're doing takeout only so we'll have dinner each night from our favorite local places.
One good thing about next week is that we're doing takeout only so we'll have dinner each night from our favorite local places.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Good Times!
Water is seeping along the entire north wall of our basement, which just happens to be where the boxes were stacked (the Rubbermaid bins were against an internal wall). The bottom row of boxes is soggy and moldy but the contents seemed to have come through ok, except for some books. I had to pull out all the contents and repack them and pull all the boxes away from the wall. Right now, the basement looks like a maze of boxes and I'm still waiting for the caretaker to bring over his solution- a box fan. Thankfully we are moving out because I don't want to live here in the damp, moldy environment any longer.
Here's a picture of what I found today:
Here's a picture of what I found today:
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Kelly & Austin's Farewell Tour
This weekend was jam-packed with visits and they were all wonderful.
First, we stopped at my former French professor's beautiful farmstead home for brunch. Years after my college days, we are still in touch and she is still teaching, mentoring, and advising me in some way. Austin and I ogled their gorgeously remodeled kitchen, gawked at their huge garden, and enjoyed homemade rhubarb cobbler with tea/coffee. It was a lovely start to the weekend-o-visits.
Our next stop was nephew Conner's first birthday. While lots of babies played in the wrapping paper and new toys (Austin selected Lego Duplo blocks for our gift), we made ourselves at home munching on the impressive spread of food and visiting.
Later, we had a going away happy hour (Twin Cities edition) at Majors in Bloomington where I used to meet my girlfriends for happy hour back in the days of my corporate stint. It was a fusion of friends from work, grad school, family, college, etc. and even though it was many facets of my life colliding, it was a spectacular success. It seemed like everyone had fun, mingled well, and enjoyed the evening. I was glad that Austin got to meet some of my friends he hadn't ever had the chance to see and we were both touched that so many people stopped by to see us.
Today we said goodbye to Austin's parents, sister, brother-in-law and little Conner who will be so much bigger when we're back over the holidays. I can't believe it will be that long but I suspect, at least for the LundeRoy household, it will fly by...
First, we stopped at my former French professor's beautiful farmstead home for brunch. Years after my college days, we are still in touch and she is still teaching, mentoring, and advising me in some way. Austin and I ogled their gorgeously remodeled kitchen, gawked at their huge garden, and enjoyed homemade rhubarb cobbler with tea/coffee. It was a lovely start to the weekend-o-visits.
Our next stop was nephew Conner's first birthday. While lots of babies played in the wrapping paper and new toys (Austin selected Lego Duplo blocks for our gift), we made ourselves at home munching on the impressive spread of food and visiting.
Later, we had a going away happy hour (Twin Cities edition) at Majors in Bloomington where I used to meet my girlfriends for happy hour back in the days of my corporate stint. It was a fusion of friends from work, grad school, family, college, etc. and even though it was many facets of my life colliding, it was a spectacular success. It seemed like everyone had fun, mingled well, and enjoyed the evening. I was glad that Austin got to meet some of my friends he hadn't ever had the chance to see and we were both touched that so many people stopped by to see us.
Today we said goodbye to Austin's parents, sister, brother-in-law and little Conner who will be so much bigger when we're back over the holidays. I can't believe it will be that long but I suspect, at least for the LundeRoy household, it will fly by...
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
It's the Final Countdown...
I've started counting down the days until the move and I realized that the last time I paid this much attention to a countdown was for our wedding. We are both very excited but every time we look around the house, we get a little freaked out since we are both over-planners.
Two weeks from today, we'll have loaded the truck, I'll have given the final exams, and we'll be about to set off on the journey. It still doesn't seem real...
Two weeks from today, we'll have loaded the truck, I'll have given the final exams, and we'll be about to set off on the journey. It still doesn't seem real...
Monday, July 14, 2008
My Phone Moved
I needed a new cell phone and got one with a TX number so that piece of business is taken care of (Austin opted to keep his 'sconi number). We are rolling out of here in just 18 days, a number that seems real and soon, finally! Austin is looking forward to the point when we stop buying groceries and basically do takeout every night, I think we'll be hitting up Stella Blues more than once for their cajun pasta, mmm...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Great Weekend
After much running around to pick up cakes, catering, and other items, we set off for my family reunion, laden with delicious goodness. It was really fun thought windier and chillier than we expected. We had a lovely shower for my cousin, Erin, and Austin's friend and former roommate, Paul (the third roommate in a row to marry a young woman from my family). We also found out that Austin, myself, my sister, and my brother-in-law will be standing up in their wedding September 12, 2009.
Today we had brunch with my family, ran errands, and did some packing. We also did some electronic packing as I consolidated and moved files to our online storage system. I am migrating from my desktop to the laptop and will have most files available from anywhere so it's pretty slick, thanks to my technophile husband.
Things are coming together, slowly but surely.
Today we had brunch with my family, ran errands, and did some packing. We also did some electronic packing as I consolidated and moved files to our online storage system. I am migrating from my desktop to the laptop and will have most files available from anywhere so it's pretty slick, thanks to my technophile husband.
Things are coming together, slowly but surely.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Good News
I have a teaching position for the next academic year all set so in addition to the fellowship, my funding package is looking even better right now! I can't believe how well things have fallen into place for UT, it's just so much better than we even imagined. We are ready for this adventure to begin.
As for the near future, I'm meeting a friend and her new significant other for happy hour tonight and then relaxing with Austin the rest of the night. Tomorrow we've got the family reunion and will have my parents and sister and brother-in-law checking into the Hotel LundeRoy in Wisconsin one last time.
As for the near future, I'm meeting a friend and her new significant other for happy hour tonight and then relaxing with Austin the rest of the night. Tomorrow we've got the family reunion and will have my parents and sister and brother-in-law checking into the Hotel LundeRoy in Wisconsin one last time.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
1st Week Down, 3 to Go
I just finished my first week of summer school so I'm 25% done. Oh, and we're moving in exactly 22 days, but who's counting? Anyway, it's been a good teaching experience. Summer school always has a more casual feel to it and I've taught the classes before so it's not too taxing in terms of materials development. Today was particularly fun because I gave them each a sticker with a Spanish word on it and they got to take them from each other if they heard English (like the silly baby/wedding shower game). They told me it made them speak more Spanish, always music to my ears.
Tonight I'm having some girlfriends over for wine and cheese and I'm going to try to send them home with some of the STUFF we're trying to get rid of. Tomorrow I'll be going into the office to get a few more things done, then Saturday is my family reunion. Thankfully it's local and we don't have to travel for it.
The days are just flying by...
Tonight I'm having some girlfriends over for wine and cheese and I'm going to try to send them home with some of the STUFF we're trying to get rid of. Tomorrow I'll be going into the office to get a few more things done, then Saturday is my family reunion. Thankfully it's local and we don't have to travel for it.
The days are just flying by...
Monday, July 7, 2008
Back to School
Today was my first day of summer school and as usual, I couldn't sleep. I think this has carried over from my days of being a student since I was a nerd and always excited to go back. As a teacher, it's part excitement but I also worry about being prepared enough and my recurring dream is that I show up at class without a lesson plan. Anyway, today went by really fast and both groups were pretty good.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Visits
Over the past few weeks, I've been spending most of my time visiting family and friends while I've had the flexibility in my schedule. I've been lucky to be able to see most of my good friends (that's you, Bad Z, BergieG, SLEMS, Juls, CorgiParents, RhyandJay, Takenob...) and the fam (hi Mom!) and spend some quality time in locales ranging from a cabin up north, a perfect brunch place, the in-laws' deck, and much more. It's been really, really wonderful.
As of Monday, I'll be back to teaching full time. It's sort of weird because I'm just starting to teach but I'm simultaneously cleaning out my office already so the next occupant (a good friend of mine, I'm glad she's inheriting the place!) can start phasing in. Even with all the recent packing, it feels more like we're making an in-town move and not a cross-country lifestyle change! Anyway, I'm actually excited to get back to the classroom.
For the rest of the weekend, Austin and I are alternating between lazing around reading, going through packing sprints, and working. It's really nice and we're content.
As of Monday, I'll be back to teaching full time. It's sort of weird because I'm just starting to teach but I'm simultaneously cleaning out my office already so the next occupant (a good friend of mine, I'm glad she's inheriting the place!) can start phasing in. Even with all the recent packing, it feels more like we're making an in-town move and not a cross-country lifestyle change! Anyway, I'm actually excited to get back to the classroom.
For the rest of the weekend, Austin and I are alternating between lazing around reading, going through packing sprints, and working. It's really nice and we're content.
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