DAY ONE

Greetings from Lincoln, Nebraska

WE had a pleasant, short day on the road yesterday. To allow Jim, who was coming from Chicago and on the road since 4am, the time to catch up with us we left at noon and met him at Campaway RV Park and Campground in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Even though Jim traveled 200 miles further than the rest of us he beat us to the campground. He had me a bit worried when I asked he what kind of site we had...eg. back-in, pull through etc. and he said,"It's a poultry site." Hmmm? I said once more, "Does Sam have to back the trailer in?" "No, it's a poultry site I said!" ...It's a poultry site?? At this point I'm thinking to myself, wow, what a wonderful metaphor, the park must be full and they have us packed in there like poultry in a Tyson factory. Now that he has described the congested nature of the park I once again ask him whether or not Sam is going to have to back the trailer in when we get there. Screaming into the phone Jim says, "For the third time I'm telling you that it's a ...."pull-through"site!! OHHH, So much for thinking that my husband came up with a good metaphor.

Alexis had a major bout of homesickness before we even left home but did great once we actually got going. It was a day filled with lots of tears and goodbyes.

It has become painfuly obviously that we maybe packed a tad bit more clothes than we should have. The clothes bar in our closet bent in half during the trip and dumped all our clothes onto the floor ...which then crashed through to the storage bin underneath. Not a pretty sight. Much to Jim's credit he didn't yell at me he just said he would fix it once we get to Vancouver.

We hope to make about 600 miles today....we'll see, that's probably a bit ambitious!

THE FIRST DAY

CANADA OR BUST

I can't believe it but we're packed and ready to go. Many hours were spent in the RV today trying to find creative ways to turn what limited storage space we have into enough room to fit basically everything needful thing we own (by needful I mean everything). I have nightmares that as with the pioneers western trek I-80 will be strewn with my precious keyboard, sewing machine, scrapbooking, and crafting supplies as Jim attempts to lighten our load with my stuff.

Yes, I do remember that not once did I sew a stitch or craft anything (except term papers) during the three years I worked on my BA, but the point I would like to make is that....I MIGHT. Therefore I must be prepared.

Jim has been in Chicago this week taking care of our Navy son who had surgery last Monday so he will have to get an early start in the morning to catch up with the rest of the wagon train...Sam and Debra pulling the RV followed by Mom, Pam and me in my car.

It's going to be exciting!

ENDINGS, BEGINNINGS, and EVERYTHING INBETWEEN

In the 21 years that I have lived there today was a first. I just closed up my house and walked away with no concrete idea as to when I'll be home again. When I got back to my mom's house, where I'm staying till we leave on Saturday, she asked me if I had a good boohoo as I drove away. I said no, but it sure was a strange, unsettled sort of feeling.

There are still things to be done such as picking up my contact lenses, taking the dog to the vet,sleep over with my eighteen month-old grand baby Chloe tonight, dinner and movie with family and friends tomorrow night, and a slumber party and gabfest with a girlfriend Thursday night but I'm ready to go now. I think I should go now, before I can change my mind. It's kind of like when I fly. I'm ok with flying but I don't love it,and when I make up my mind to do it (or it's the only option) I want to get to the airport and march right onto that plane and just go..let's get this done. Waiting around unnerves me.

I am really looking forward to living in Surrey.I am ready for this new chapter in my life to get underway but endings are not easy. Yes, I will return to Missouri and to the friends and family that I love, but when I shut the door on my house today something seemed to say that the life I know now will not be the life I have when I come home again...the house may be the same as when I left, but I won't be.

Our Church Family

"CAPTAIN JIM"S CREW
Jim, Tammy, Pam, and Stephanie

July 2010 Eden Heights Congregation Float Trip Noel, Missouri

Jim and I packed up the trailer and headed south to Noel, Missouri for our third and final outing before it becomes our 'home". Our family has rafted many times but looking for any excuse to spend time with friends before we leave, Jim and I decided to be a part of our church family's annual float trip.

Our Navy son Tony came home from Chicago to spend a couple of weeks with his grateful parents and we took off a couple days early to do some camping. We arrived at the campsite after dark and as Jim was trying to back 38" of trailer and truck into our spot...we put our first ding/wrinkle/dent in the RV. I say "We" because Jim pointed out that I obviously didn't scream, "Stop, Stop!! There's a pole right......there!" until after the pole was swaying and the park lights were flickering on and off! I kind of wonder what the RV ownership/divorce statistics are???

It rained the first two days there but the day of the float dawned overcast but dry. It didn't last....Gosh, if I had a dollar for every shivering, teeth-chattering "I'mmmm nnott having ffun anymore...I wouldn't need Fulbright's money to go to Canada......Pam????



TIM WALSH and TONY

My cousin Stephanie and me

GATHERING FOR CAMPFIRE



The Heide family

Stephanie and Lee
Tony
Me and Pam
It was a wonderful four days spent with precious friends










GOING AWAY PARTY

There had been hush, hush activity going on for weeks at church. I was aware that the congregation had taken up a collection to buy Jim a new set of scriptures in honor of his ordination. What I wasn't aware of is that they had a wonderful surprise in store for me as well.



For three years I have been the music director for our congregation. I really enjoy playing the piano and it is rare day that I don't sit down and play a little something or other.


Knowing that I would not have access to my own piano for quite awhile...
while they were, in front of me, collecting money for Jim's gift, they were....

on the sly,
also collecting money to buy me a keyboard to take with me!


Needless to say there were many tears when I realized what was happening!
I was told that the keyboard was a blessing for the congregation as well as for me...With daily practice they anticipate that I will be ready to pick up right where I left off when I arrive home!


You may value the friendship of youth and of age,and select for your comrades the noble and sage. But the friends that most cheer me on life's rugged road, are the friends of my Master, the children of God.
David H. Smith

Family and Friends

Even if I didn't know today's date I would be able to tell that the time draws near for us to leave because the mad rush is on to squeeze in as many activities as is humanly possible with our family and friends before we go.

ALEXIS'S POOL PARTY!

With a fall birthday Alexis had the rare treat of a summer party at Tomasha Pool .

Working on snacks

Uncle Tony and Mariah

Alexis's friends from school and church
Working on presents
and of course SWIMMING!
Now we'll just have to figure out where to celebrate her ACTUAL birthday in BC.

VAN HORN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '79 FALCONETTES REUNION!
Debbie, Jayne, Joyce, and Kelley,four of the coolest chicks ever to graduate from Van Horn (five if you include me)had a little going away lunch for me this weekend.

Cruising Noland Road, football games and Freddie the Falcon,the parties,Falconettes Drill Team, 40 Highway McDonalds,the parties, picking everyone up in my turquoise 65 Ford Falcon,spying on boyfriends,relocating road signs,the parties,sneaking out but mostly sneaking in,stalking poor John Austin(sorry for being so annoying),falling out of Kelly's car and rolling down Sterling Ave.,Dad taking me to school and getting my coat caught in the door. After dragging me down the street in front of half the student body he helped me off the ground and said"Tammy, I don't have time for your nonsense I'm going to be late for work!",Joyce backing into Debbie's brother's car, (what was with us and cars??),did I mention the parties? Note to God...thank you that we survived!
Thanks Jayne for playing hostess!I had such a wonderful time!!
Kelly, Debbie, and Joyce
After graduation Debbie and Jayne went off to college and graduated from MU in '83, Kelly worked as a travel agent,and Joyce and I got married but anytime we get together the years fall away and we're 18 once more!Thanks guys it was so much fun to get together :)

More to come........

Preparations

For the next eighteen months or so our home in Canada will be a 38 ft. 2010 Coachman Chaparral RV.Jim and I took it to Lake Paradise in Oak Grove for its maiden voyage over Memorial Day weekend. Fred and Jack, two of our long-time RVer friends taught Jim the ropes of setting up one of these monstrosities and tearing it down again. We also learned a new language that includes words such as black water, grey water, gross vehicle weight and dump station.

Just to make sure that we would be able to fend for ourselves without Jack and Fred's help we took it to the Lake of the Ozarks for a weekend in June. I must say my husband impressed me. Even though it was pitch black by the time we reached the RV park, Jim had us up and running in 45 minutes. Of course I believe that is due,in large part,to my assistance... hold the flashlight when called upon and other than that stay out of his way.

It all seems very cozy at the moment but I wonder if we'll still think that a year and a half from now.