Introducing Lucy Lu Who

Do you ever get sick of me creating so many crazy and bizarre blogs? Well, if not, here is another one--The Mind Adventures of Lucy Lu (Who). This one is completely kicks and giggles. I'm having SO much fun with her right now. And for those of you who are attached to Ellie, never fear! I've been working on her too. I've re-written chapters 1 and 2 and have completed chapters 3 and 4. I want to get a little farther ahead before I begin posting again. That way I won't leave you hanging like I'm doing right now.

Thanks to everyone who is actually reading the stuff I put out here in Cyberspace! I love you!

Home Sweet Home

I don't have many pics of the house yet. I'm still trying to clear the area of boxes and junk. Even though I sold or DI'd a ton of stuff before I left, I'm finding more things to get rid of. The place just isn't big enough for "extra baggage." But here are a few shots of the area around our place. We are tucked away behind the Columbia town center. I like it because we are minutes from the mall, theaters, a billion restaurants, and grocery shopping and yet it feels like we are so secluded. One wonderful thing about Columbia is the city planning. They have walking paths almost everywhere and dogs ARE allowed. On paths and at the parks. So it's been great for Joss and I to get out and do some walking. I'm still working with him on greeting other animals. His method is to bark first and ask questions later. The poor squirrels aren't sure what to make of him! But it is beautiful and I love it! I can't wait to share our little place with any of you who want to venture this far east. I promise you won't fall off the end of the world!

Raven's Game!!!

Joe's boss gave us tickets to the upcoming Raven's game. Our first NFL experience! It was a great break from the stress of trying to find a place to live. And boy did he spoil us! We were so close to the field I could see the players faces! I don't think the pictures do our seats justice, but hopefully they'll give you a good idea. The energy of the crowd was overwhelming, to say the least. I couldn't believe the crush of people the closer we got to the stadium. I wore something "sporty" but figured out too late that I should have just worn something black or purple. There was NO other color in the stands (unless you were the crazy Browns fan that wore brown or orange). I wouldn't risk upsetting a stadium full of crazy (yet delightful) fans. On our way in I took some pics of they "boy/girl" signs. I thought it a little weird at first but soon discovered that the reason for the split is because you get frisked before entering the stadium! But once inside it's a great atmosphere. I loved slapping hi-fives with perfect strangers after every touchdown or amazing play. The air was electric! I hope we can experience more things like that while we're out here. But, as Joe put it, we've been ruined. How can we go to a game like that again and sit in the nose bleeds when we know what it's like to sit almost on the field? Guess we'll just have to suck it up, lol.

We are actually hoping to make it to a Washington Caps game (hockey) in December so Joe can see the NJ Devils play. We'll see.

Road Trip Day 4: On the Road Again (to Maryland)

I think day 4 was the roughest. We'd been driving for so long and we just wanted to be there already. I took some shots of the road. It's amazing to drive for hours in down tree-lined highways. Joe's phrase of the trip was, "It's so green!" He couldn't believe the color. It was fun sharing these moments with him. The journey was pretty uneventful (except we were run off the road by a sleeping semi... but that was day 1). The worst of it was driving the Pennsylvania Pike. NIGHTMARE!!! It was ugly, under construction, and crowded. We drove 45mph through most of the state. Happy does not even begin to describe my emotion when we entered Maryland and left Pennsylvania behind! And imagine my delight when I finally saw the hotel! (This was a wonderful gift from my sweet step-sis, Sandy. She was able to swing an extraordinary rate for us... Thanks, Sandy!)

The next couple of days were filled with frustration and rejection. I really thought finding a place to live would be a breeze, but I was wrong. Lots of places accept dogs, even large ones, but no one wanted to rent to a Pit Bull (big surprise). It wasn't until Monday afternoon that we finally received approval from a private landlady to rent her town home. Until then, I wasn't a very nice person to be around. But I'm jumping ahead...

Road Trip Day 2 & 3: Chicago

One would assume the bulk of my pics would be here, spending time with my dad. This was Joe's first trip to Chicago and we could have done a million things. His words as we drove into Illinois were, "This is my first time here so I want to do something really cool and memorable, like seeing all the places where you grew up." Isn't he the best!!! Anyway, pictures. I'll admit that I was so busy enjoying time with my dad and Joe tripping down memory lane that I didn't get very many pictures. My dad has more, but I haven't gotten them from him yet. But even though we don't have pics to mark the occasion, it was still so much fun to take Joe to all the places where I lived. He now can relate each house to a different family story... like where Jon pushed Jason down the stairs in handcuffs... where I had my finger cut off in a door... where I had my hand smashed in the garage door... where I had my hand smashed in a car door by the babysitter... and where I ran away from home. Many, many good memories, lol. My step-mom, Debbie, was a sweetheart and we had a wonderful time hanging with her and my step-brother Jason and his girlfriend. It was a great way to spend a couple of days.

Road Trip Day 1: Utah to Chicago

I love the excitement of being on the road. This time was a little different as we knew we were leaving for a new place. We were sad to say good-bye to friends and family, but super excited for the new life awaiting us in Baltimore. The first day we drove Layton to Lincoln, Nebraska. Along the way we stopped to have lunch with Mr. James and Marla. (I was so happy for the chance to see them one more time before leaving). I had intended on driving straight through to Illinois before Joe implemented the "no one sleeps while the driver is awake" policy. Which I totally understood after driving 1.5 hrs while he slept. It is so BORING having to drive without any interaction. Anyway, we decided to stop in Lincoln the first night. I was sure we could find a great room at a great rate, neither turned out to be true. I wish I had pics of our hotel. It was AWFUL!!! I know I'm used to the Marriott treatment (thanks Dad Burns!), but this really was a dive.The front desk guy in a crumpled, stained shirt and sweat pants should have given me my first clue. But we were tired and just wanted to sleep. Our hotel room came complete with peeling wallpaper, too much moisture, and things that go bump in the night. I didn't really sleep as I was sure we would be murdered in our beds! Boy was I happy to be on the road the next day!

Swing and a miss!

So Joe and I have found ourselves WAY more involved in church activities now that they are pretty much our main source for adult interaction and friends. Crazy part is that I'm loving it! (I know, shock... gasp.) But it's true nonetheless (I think that's all one word). So last night was the ward Trunk o' Treat. I previously signed up to bring cupcakes and even had Joe on board for the idea. I was totally prepared (I thought) and tried to give myself enough time to bake, cook dinner, get ready and make it to the church by 6pm. I think I might even had made it except I received an unexpected call from a family member that last 45 minutes. Needless to say I was soon rushed to finish all the aforementioned activities in less than 90 minutes. Cupcakes were flying, potatoes frying, and dishes were piling. By the time I finished eating, icing cupcakes and individually packaging them (as requested) it was 6:40p. We arrived at the church at 7p only to find everyone cleaning up. I couldn't believe it! People are actually on time out here! They started right on the dot at 6p and were done before we even arrived. I had to laugh. If I had skipped the cupcakes we could have been on time sans cupcakes. But in completing my assignment we arrived too late and they didn't even use them. However, I did slip them quickly onto the table were the carcasses of previous cupcakes remained and, to my delight and pleasure, they all got eaten! And we were back home before 8p. It was crazy! And I definitely felt like I struck out in my endeavors to be a full activity participant. But, as Joe said, at least we're trying... and honestly, I don't think anyone even noticed. Maybe next time I'll start around noon so I can actually finish on time!

Yay for Sunday!

Joe and I attended our new ward today. I can't believe how excited I was to go! Not even a night of "upset tummy" could keep me away. I just HAD to go. And I am so glad I did! Everyone was SO nice and welcoming (at least all the people who introduced themselves and made us feel at home... I didn't get a chance to meet anyone mean today, hehe). It started just after Sacrament and continued through Sunday School and Relief Society. By the end of church I had so many names swimming in my head I couldn't keep them straight, I was excitedly invited to choir, and the sweetest sister in RS invited us over for dinner with her family. We said yes to everything. Normally (content with my situation and proximity to my family) I would (maybe) have declined (thought maybe not because this gal is totally ADORABLE!), but desiring interaction with others (beside Joe, whom I love... but really, it is nice to talk to other girls) accepted all of the above.

Choir was fantastic. A cute little assembly gathered at a new friend's home. Relearned some names and gathered more new ones. Found out we're singing next week in Sacrament but I'm not worried. I just loved being with people who are so fun and welcoming. Dinner was a blast! Eve and Jeff are a great couple (with SIX fun boys). They also invited Ryan and Emily, who are also freakin' hilarious. I laughed the whole night! And the Lawson boys will be happy to know they also make fun of Canadians. I couldn't believe it! I travel across the country only to wind up at a dinner table with more guys poking fun at the maple leaf. I told them I'll give them a few weeks until I open a can on their butts (need time to make them friends before they get to know the feisty side... that way they can't return me).

I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people I've met today! Especially for the dinner invite. It made us feel so special. I just hope they want to stay friends!!! LOL. Missing my peeps in Utah. Lots of love (and more to come... I need to find my camera cord so I can upload pics of our place and our road trip).