…..Howdy Y’all

Okay, I haven’t actually heard anyone say “howdy”, but I have heard “y’all” several times. The people here are friendly and always ready with a smile and a “welcome to Arkansas.”

So….I’m going through slight Internet Withdrawal…and I’ve been crazy to blog about the drive down.

After packing up and stepping out of my APT for the last time {and there were plenty of tears as I closed that door :(}, it still hadn’t occurred to me that I was really, actually moving away.

Thom and I stayed at the Shoreline Inn on Friday night…and Dawn was right…the hotel was SO beautiful. I can’t believe I hadn’t been in there before. Our last dinner in Muskegon was at the Red Wok…and then we were off to bed soon after that.

Saturday A.M. came way too early…and I was up first thing to take pics of the city, as we were were on the 9th floor and the view of Muskegon was pretty cool {I’ll post pics when I have my own Internet up and running}.

After a quick breakfast and a stop at WalMart, we headed out of town. I thought maybe I’d be emotional as I drove out of town, but I was okay. Thom was driving the Penske truck and I drove his Lincoln….and we had walkie-talkies to talk back and forth. The tears never came, though…and it was a pleasant drive…all the way to Effingham, Illinois. {How fun was it for him to hear “I don’t need no effing-ham” from me all the way there?} We stayed the night at a hotel…where Thom got us upgraded to a king suite…have I mentioned that Thom can talk us into anything? Charming and persuasive 🙂

The next morning we had a really awesome continental breakfast…got to make our own waffles that were so yummy. Anyway…we were back on the road….the weather was perfect..and got warmer each time we stopped. I almost missed the sign as we entered into Arkansas…so I didn’t have the camera ready. I guess I had expected the scenery to instantly change….to become what we all think Arkansas is…but it wasn’t much different than the scenery in Illinois.

We rolled into Heber at night…so I didn’t get to see much. Having driven through a lot in the last 4 days, though, I can see why Thom loves it here so much. Greers Ferry Lake is gorgeous…not my Lake Michigan….but still absolutely awesome 🙂

Monday wasn’t a great day for me. It suddenly occurred to me what I had done. I’d upped and left home. Y I K E S!! It really hit me…and I cried a lot that day. I feel a whole lot better now, though…and I don’t regret moving here at all. Thom and I drove to Searcy and did some clothes shopping {he bought me some new clothes for work :* } and then we hung out at his bookstore Hastings.

I’ve also driven to Conway to see my new store. It’s SO HUGE! I guess I’ll be working back in the Homegoods section…as the store is a TJ Maxx and a Homegoods combined. The store manager was really nice and I met most of the people I’ll be working with.

So…it’s getting more and more real every day. I’ve already gotten my new library card. I’ve opened a checking account. I’ll get a new driver’s license soon. All my stuff is in storage for the time being while Thom and I look for a house of our own. I’m happy to be here…and just happy to be with Thom. He really has been a prince to me and is trying so hard to make the transition as easy as possible.

I’ll post again soon…I love and miss you all already :*
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