Is this place weirder than Austin?

So Stinker and I arrived in Nashville today after 10 hours of driving. She got her way and did all the driving while I was the DJ and napped sporadically throughout the trip. No fights to report yet (sorry, Amy Gordon).

The extra hour gained in Nashville was great. We were downtown by 6pm and after doing some exploring, hunkered down at Rippy's for some outdoor BBQ, beer and live music. We made some friends from Wisconsin and soaked up the sun. They taught us about a loaded corona, which consists of pouring out the neck of the beer and filling it with Bacardi lemon.  Brilliant idea.

We did some great people watching. At one point, after seeing a guy in his 50s wearing a t-shirt that said "She wants the D," Stinker asked me, "Is this place weirder than Austin?"  She has not been to Austin yet. My answer: "No." Although Nashville has a lot more "free spirits" than the DC metro area, it still doesn't compare to Austin. Plus, downtown is probably not a good representation of those who live here, as the majority of people out downtown on a holiday weekend are probably tourists. But still...

Leaving the townhouse today was tough. I have lived in DC since 2001 (with a one year break back in Buffalo). I love DC, my home, my friends and family. But as my friend Bill Groh, who made a similar move a few years back recently told me, its like when you are high up and they tell you not to look down. Thanks Bill. So I am going to just keep looking forward.

Tomorrow the adventures continue with more car fun from TN to OK. It will take at least another 10 hours.

Here is Stinker's collage from Nashville (she is the photog of the family).

You Don't Know What You've Got Til Its Gone

For at least the last five years I have been fortunate enough to have my sister live less than 5 minutes away and my parents just 2 hours away, so I can see my family whenever I want or need to.  In less than 3 weeks, that is all going to change. It is almost like leaving home for college all over again (except that this time my life partner is waiting for me in AZ).

This past weekend was the last time the four of us would be together until probably Thanksgiving.  We had a really great, relaxing weekend together. We set up Skype accounts and talked about when everyone could visit AZ.

My mom pulled out some essays she found that Stinker had written in high school.  Her narrative essay was written right after she had returned from dropping me off to start my freshman year of college. Prior to me leaving for college, we fought constantly and pretty much couldn't stand each other starting in middle school. However, that all changed once I was away at college and it has been (mostly*) smooth sailing ever since.

*With the exception of snowmageddon after which we could no longer live together.

Yesterday Erikka read her high school essay out loud to my mom and me.  It is amazing how so many of the feelings she articulated in her essay are back again for both of us, now that I am moving across the country.  Stinker wrote "I honestly do believe the saying, 'You don't know what you have until it is gone' because I never appreciated how much my sister meant to me. I now realize how lucky I am to have someone who genuinely cares for me and with whom I can share everything: all my ups and downs, secrets and problems in my life."

That was 1999.  It is amazing how things can come full circle.  And I feel the exact same way. I am going to really miss my parents and close friends, but more than anything, I am going to miss my sister. I am going to miss our impromptu dinners together,  her cooking, our early morning trips to eastern market, our fro-yo runs, her acting like she can't stand Benny when in fact we know she secretly adores him, her criticizing my "assertive" driving skills, her always messy apartment, her no bullshit attitude and her sensitivity.

Fourteen years later, it is my chance to tell you, Stinker, that even though you too can sometimes be your "bossy self" (as was noted in the original essay), I feel the love that only a sister relationship can have.  I am finding it hard to imagine just what my life will be like without you 5 minutes away and how different my life will be soon. Thank you for always listening, counseling and being a great sister.

We now have the benefits of Skype, Facetime and unlimited minutes and data, so that takes a little of the sting away. But I have taken our proximity for granted and am going to desperately miss having you right around the corner. I am really looking forward to our road trip and am putting my money on us still speaking when we arrive in Scottsdale. Love you always Stink.

My AZ Peeps

So this is my new crew in AZ. Danielle and I went to high school together and she has been living in AZ for a few years with the cutest nugget, Ty. He loves the weather and washing machine cycles.  24 days until I leave for AZ and it is already in the 100s in AZ!

Have you seen Flea Market Flip on HGTV? Danielle has a house with a 2 car garage, so we are going to start buying old furniture and refinishing it and selling it as a hobby, just for fun, using her garage as our work space. We know nothing about refinishing furniture but hopefully after some online research and some Home Depot classes, we will be ready for garage and estate sales!

Other items on my bucket list to do with my AZ peeps include Diamondback games, hiking, biking, and hitting the pool!