Tuesday, April 16, 2013

My Bucket List (for Pennsylvania)

While we have only been in PA for a mere 9 months,  it feels as though we have done so much!  Because I knew our time here was limited and this was not a forever move, I decided early on to treat each day like it could be the last and get outside and enjoy all this state (or the eastern half of it) had to offer.  I must say I kept us pretty busy until the weather made me into a hermit :)

HOWEVER - I have so, so much more that I want to do before I leave.  Therefore I am creating my Pennsylvania Bucket List.   PA Pals -  feel free to read through and tell me to scratch things off or add to based on your expertise!   I am sure I won't get around to it all, but at least putting it down in writing acts as a sort of plan - I do love a good plan!

  1. Visit Gettysburg
  2. Philly Museum of Art - actually go past the Rocky steps and inside!
  3. Take the girls to Hershey Park and the museum - who doesn't want to ride roller coasters and   sample chocolate???
  4. Watch a regatta off Boathouse Row - especially since rowing is not a sport down South.
  5. Run the 10 miles of Kelly Drive - I ran part of the Schuylkill last spring, but need to do the entire river!
  6. Go inside Independence Hall - the line has always scared me off, but I need to see the inside
  7. Sample more Philly Cheesesteaks - gotta find the best :) 
  8. Visit Princeton (ok, technically New Jersey, but close enough)
  9. Atlantic City, baby!
  10. More time with the dear friends I have made here!  More time in the great outdoor spaces, farmers markets, parks, etc!
I know that this is goodbye for Pennsylvania, which is surprisingly harder for me than I had thought.  Given the short time here, I had not expected to feel such mixed emotions as the time of our move draws near.    I am thrilled to return home - where I feel most like me.  However, I have come to enjoy the sights, sounds and people in this area and they all will be missed.   Well, maybe not the winters!!!

I guess if I don't get this all done, it will give me more of a reason to come back and visit!

Kelly Drive - image courtesy of www.philly.com

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Into the Details

I quickly realized (after several texts and emails) that I was pretty vague and didn't really get into the specifics surrounding our move back home and inquiring minds want to know what the heck!   That was purposely designed given the lack of details I was able to supply everyone at the time.    I will get into some details a little further down in this post.  For now, here's a little update on the last week in our crazy world!

Since Hubby started work with his new company, Experience, over A and M's spring break, we decided it made perfect sense to take an impromptu trip back to Georgia.   My biggest mission was to find a house so we could quickly get back to being under one roof since this new job is in Atlanta and we are currently Pennsylvania residents (small minor detail).   And spending the week with family and friends would be icing on the cake, so we loaded up and made the 14 hour drive down.

It was a fantastic week that included celebrating a dear friend's birthday (much love to ya, CSA) and watching A turn 7 and sharing her big day with some of her dearest pals and family.    In lieu of a party this year, she just asked for "envelopes of cash" and a day at the American Girl store so she could spend it all!  We had planned a trip into Manhattan for her birthday, but with our trip to Georgia we had to rearrange and fortunately, there is a store in Atlanta (yes GA friends, I know that Alpharetta isn't really Atlanta, but the RHWOA claim it to be, so I will too for the sake of my Philly friends).    Needless to say, she burned through her money, which is very easy to do there, and wound up with a new doll and other overpriced items that I am sure she will love for years to come, right??  Since we lack a home in GA right now, I entertained some of her pals later that afternoon at the local girly salon for some mani/pedi action.     All in all, A was quite pleased with the rearrangement of her birthday plans and didn't seem to mind at all that we skipped the trip to Manhattan.    We ended the week by spending Easter with family and even managed to squeeze in a date night to one of our local favs, C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar - (thanks Amy for keeping the girls).

The week with all my favorite people made me realize just how much I miss being home and am so excited to return.   Praying these next months fly right past!


Now for the details:
  • Hubby - new job as mentioned above and he loves it!  As if he didn't watch and talk enough sports before, this just took him to a whole other level!!!   He is spending the weeks in Atlanta and will get home as often as he can.   I am trying not to be jealous as he gets to enjoy flip-flops a lot sooner than the rest of us!  Just going to focus on the prize :)
  • House - we found one and are under contract!  Back in East Cobb  - different elementary  and middle school, but still Walton High.  Now just praying it passes inspection and appraisal!
  • Dates - our close is set for June 12th, so the following weekend we will pack it all up and say goodbye to the great northeast!
  • Vacation - yes, I will need one heck of one after this is all said and done!  I mean two huge moves in less than a year - thank goodness for good hair coloring because the gray hair just keeps on coming!

Birthday Girl


Sweet Friends (missing E)
Nail Time


Egg Hunting