I spy…something…
Photo: Packed Truck
Author: Samantha Gratton
Photo: Arthur
Ready for a road trip!
Going Away Gifts
It was a great (and tearful) weekend full of good friends, good music and goodbyes. Getting some of this closure and a chance to spend time with those closest to us was a gift in itself, but we were surprised with a few more. Food, drinks, candles, wine, reference letters, gas money, sunflowers, cards, wall decor and gift cards. This one seems to be the crowd favorite though (courtesy of the boys at work). Thanks everyone for all you’ve done for us! We’re blown away by your generosity and love.
Song: Won’t Back Down
“Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out”
Won’t Back Down – Original music by Tom Petty, cover by my husband.
This is the last song he recorded in the basement studio that is currently packed up and ready to move into storage for awhile, sadly. He came home singing this song one day and felt like recording a cover, but I think it’s easily another addition to the moving playlist. As he described it and I agree, it was “heartfelt” and furthermore, it seems fitting. There’s a lot we’re up against right now, but now is not the time to back down. It’s time to rise to the occasion and take it all on, full force.
Interviewing on the Job
Except…this really happened. My old job (as of yesterday) rocked. It had its days that weren’t easy, but all in all, it was a great place to be. Tonight I said goodbye and couldn’t keep back the tears as I drove away. I can’t really put to words what it was like being “the girl” for the past year and how much I’m going to miss working there. While I’ve been grateful that they’ve been so supportive about this new venture (allowing me to take phone interviews at work and everything), I almost wish they’d put up more of a fight. I’m really going to miss these guys—their talent, their ridiculous quotes and their hearts.
Quote: Willing to Give Up
It’s not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What’s hard, is figuring out what you’re willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about.
Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist
Song: One Thought Per Second
“I realize I must observe this. That I just can’t expect to know when.”
One Thought Per Second by Asthmaboy
Your Turn?
I think we’ve reached the point where I just want to give up and tell someone else to make it happen these next few days. When every hour counts, it’s disappointing to find myself trapped in some worthless ones. Running around town today nobody had the things I needed (Uhaul, Walmart, Uhaul #2) and to top it off I ran out of gas and had to be rescued. Just like that. Whoops.
My house is a total mess and by the end of the night I can’t figure out how I manage to push through packing until 11 p.m. when the Olympics are done before collapsing in bed. It’s all quite exhausting and as much as it seems we’re constantly packing and preparing, just one look around the corner confirms that we’re nowhere near close to being done.
Plenty of people have asked if there’s anything they can do to help. But we’ve reached the worst part of the packing bit. The better half of things have been packed like books, DVDs, dishes. What’s left is the odds and ends that I can’t figure out how to pack in the slightest (lamps, plants, clothes, miscellaneous junk drawer items) and the phone calls to change our address. Not exactly the time to pass on the torch. So just what is it that I can legitimately ask these volunteers to help me with?
Song: Reason Why
“You can tell the world what you want them to hear. I’ve got nothing left to lose, my dear.”
Reason Why by Rachel Yamagata
Quote: Great Things
To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.
Leonard Bernstein, composer