We knew it was just a matter of time………

When we bought the Airstream, we knew in the back of our minds, that a new truck would probably be in our future. Our 1/2 ton pick-up would pull the Airstream, but it was right at its maximum towing capability. Also, the back seats in the extended cab were not all that comfortable for additional passengers on longer trips (just ask Brian, who rode many an hour in the back seat of that truck   : )

So……meet the latest addition to the family – a  GMC 3/4 ton, 4 wheel drive, diesel crew cab. This “bad boy” truck is rigged up to tow and haul, and ought to be able to handle the Airstream on any kind of road or on any hills that we decide to drive.

The color is ‘blue granite’. And note the nice running board – a necessary step-up for those of us who are a bit shorter     : )

The interior is grey leather, and rigged out with all the latest ‘gadgets’, including OnStar and satellite radio.

The back seats are comfortable, and have plenty of leg room. We are looking forward to having the space for company on our trips.

The lure of the open road beckons……hope to see you all along the way…..

Celebrating Life

Today is my birthday, and I decided to spend the day celebrating LIFE. We slept in a bit, had our coffee, and enjoyed the morning. But instead of declaring today a day of total decadence and indulgence, we still headed to the gym for a workout – something that makes me feel better….stronger….more alive (though only AFTER we are done)     : )  Then had a good breakfast, and spent a bit of time just sitting in my chair in the sunshine, soaking up this beautiful day.

I have had a chance to visit with a number of family and other loved ones today  - one of my favorite ways to ‘celebrate life’- and am having an afternoon cup of coffee, an ‘indulgence’ that am becoming quite fond of.  This evening, will be a nice dinner out at the "’Warehouse’.

This afternoon, we took a walk in the woods and around our yard, looking for signs of Spring – birds at the feeders (they are eating me out of house and home) and an armadillo who walked right across the back yard and scurried up under the house. I think that the armadillo might need to appreciate this life while he can……Fred has threated to get his gun, as this armadillo is also rooting up the whole yard!

The daffodils are beginning to come up, with signs of buds and blooms that will open in a couple of weeks. And the maples are showing their red tips of new growth. Spring will be coming to Louisiana before we know it. A joy tempered with the knowledge that friends and family in those climates farther north have another month or so of winter…….but then the Spring will be glorious, there!

February has always been bittersweet for me – so much life, sister’s birthdays, and Fred’s parent’s birthdays…… coupled with loss and sad memories. And this year is no exception. As we celebrate birthdays and new life, our community morns the loss of a 15 year old boy who had lost hope…….and a friend sits vigil with her dying mother.

Life is fragile and impermanent and we too often take it for grated. It is important to CELEBRATE life. To hold on to that feeling of being alive…..to take care of oneself…to nurture oneself…..to honor our lives and those around us….and to look for, and hang onto the signs of the coming Spring.

Thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes from everybody, and my love to all,

Sue

Brian’s and Rebekah’s new house in Sioux City, IA

Things can sometimes change fast……..We had visited Brian and his fiancé Rebekah in Newark, Delaware over Thanksgiving, and Brian was still looking for work. Then, good news and tough decisions……..Brian accepted a job as a project engineer for Gelita, a gelatin manufacturing company, with a plant in Sioux City, IA. So, Brian packed some stuff, and his dog Jade, and headed cross-country to his new job. This is a new move, but not a ‘new’ city. We lived in Sioux City from 1995-2001, when Brian was in the 4th-9th grades.

Meanwhile, Rebekah, who is enrolled in the University of Delaware’s Physical Therapy school, is looking at the possibility of transferring to a program near Sioux City, or, if this is not possible or practical, staying and finishing her program (about another 1 1/2 years) and visiting back and forth as often as possible. Good news…..and tough decisions.

As Brian was looking for a place to live that would take a good sized dog, (staying at the Comfort Inn was getting a bit ‘old’) he decided that buying a house might just make better sense. This house caught his eye, and, luckily, was unoccupied and ready to be moved into immediately.

Fred and I drove up to lend Brian a hand (or two) in the process of settling in.

Fist job…..shoveling the driveway!

 

Then, I worked a bit of ‘magic’ and set up the kitchen……complete with a pan of brownies.  : )

We cooked dinner in the new house….so nice after two weeks of eating out every night!

The living room has a good view out to the back yard….something that Jade really likes. No furniture or decorations, yet. Bekah will have a lot to do when she visits.

The master bedroom has a sliding glass door out to a deck.

The house has a nice, fenced back yard on a hill, and has a number of trees…..everything still buried in snow, but this will be wonderful in the Spring.

The house feels ‘cozy’ ……We left Brian and Jade comfortably settled in and eagerly awaiting a visit from Rebekah that week-end.