My Move to Tennessee.

Today is Day 3 of my new home in Tennessee.  I arrived here in Newport Tenn on Sunday, "Mother's Day", no less.  We had left Hudson Wisconsin on the 9th of May about 5:30pm and drove thru to near Rockford Ill on rt 39 in Illinois before we stopped for the Eve.  I rented 2 rooms for $75 each/night.  the Boys got to share a room while Beth and I took the other one.  It made me giggle because the boys are grown men now and the thought of sharing a room seemed strange.  "Tee-Hee" male bonding time for the brothers, Raymond, Micheal, Earl and Friend Marcelino.  After breakfast  we set off again for another long day of driving.  Beth rode with me, Raymond rode with Michael and Marcelino rode with Earl.  We drove thru Bloomington/Normal in Illinois then over Indianapolis Indiana,

Thoughts and musings from my Working Vacation/Saturday Aug 3rd 2013

Thoughts and musings from my Working Vacation/Saturday Aug 3rd 2013

Our overnight stay at the Arrowhead Lodge in Black River Falls WI was pleasant and frustrating at the same time. At first we could not get our assigned room door open, Valoriea had to go back & forth several times to the lobby; no easy feat because the lodge was large and we were at the very end of the hotel near the campers & RV'rs.  We were so anxious to get inside our "suite" thinking about the Large comfy King size bed and Jacuzzi that was inside with Large HD TV, Fireplace and Micro/Fridge & Balcony with a view of the large pond & Golden Moose Statue that surrounded the back of the Lodge.  That door would not open even for the staff so they moved us to a similar handicap "suite" that lacked the balcony & view but did hold the Large comfy King size bed and Jacuzzi that was inside with Large HD TV, Fireplace and Micro/Fridge.   We were so tired and hungry we ate our snacks that we had brought with us, opened our computers to check our e-mails, then ignoring the Jacuzzi we showered and went to bed.  I took the pull out couch, which to my surprise and delight was very comfy & had the  Large HD TV, Fireplace . I did put on the fireplace and enjoyed the ambiance  while I readied for bed.  Leaving Valoriea the room with the King Bed,

In the morning we went down to the lobby for breakfast of eggs
waffles, yogurt and coffee & juice, walking past the restaurant with the amazing architectural windows with the copper leaves. 

We stopped for a break in Tuscola, WI at the Tanger Outlet Mall.
They had a Farmer's Market there at the Mall Entrance with several vendors with fresh vegetables, specialty Cheeses, flavored popcorn, that provided small tastings & an Amish Family selling freshly baked  pies, breads and other bakery.  We bought a small Blackberry Pie and Popcorn to have later that evening at our next stopover.


 

Thoughts and musings from my Working Vacation - Friday Aug 2rd 2013

Thoughts and musings from my Working Vacation/Friday Aug 2rd 2013

It has been a hectic last 4 - 5 weeks.  From my Road trip in June with my daughter Beth & Granddaughter Zuri to visit my brothers in NY State, to my Quilting Retreat "Girls Night Out" in July, (I was able to finish 5 Baby Quilt tops), and now my "working" road trip to Tennessee in August driving my friend Valoriea's Pick up truck down while she drove the large 26' U-Haul truck with all her belongings to her new home.

 

Interesting fact on the side of this U-Haul Truck
 

MY "WORKING" ROAD TRIP

Friday August 2nd:  My day started early, up at 5:30am, showered, finished packing my clothing for my trip to Tennessee & checking  to see that I had packed everything I needed.  I put all my luggage on the porch before 8am,  took out the garbage and checked to see that nothing was left on, ate breakfast on the porch waiting for Valoriea to pick me up.  I received a frantic call from Valoriea, the packers were there and she couldn't get away so could I drive over instead?  I packed my car and headed over to her house where the packers had the truck 1/3r packed, while she was still trying to pack up the rest herself.  So I headed to the kitchen to pack up the dishes, food, pots and pans.  By 2pm the truck was packed and we were ready to go.  We drove as far as we could before exhaustion hit and our 1st layover was at the Arrowhead Lodge in Black River Falls, WI

I loved the Architectural effect these windows of the restaurant present.  I was able to go inside to take thes pictures of the copper/metal leaves,

The Copper leaves, a view from inside the Restaurant.

Valoriea's New Home in Tennessee.  A very cute duplex surrounded on 2 sides by Farmland with grazing Angus cows and weathered barns. 

 This the barn on her left side, the cows graze on the farm adjacent to her back yard fence.

sitting here at Best Western on the computer relaxing in the cool airconditioning

Well we are well on our way to Tennessee we both are so exhausted from the day spent from the wee hrs of the am packing dishes, ect. and packing the truck and pickup.  it feels good to be able to relax in the cool airconditioning.  we got a room with a Jacuzzi and plan to use it before the eve is over.  then tomorrow morn we will head out again.  We did not make it to Peru Ill but its OK.... I wasn't able to take any pictures today but I plan to tomorrow.  Will keep updating you with pictures ect.

What an Awesome weekend I had.

This past weekend has proven to be so awesome. I spent Saturday with my Friends at Avalon Tea House in White Bear Lake, having lunch, enjoying tea and discussing a book that we have been reading. It was great fun, Sunday I decided to drive my friend Valoriea's pickup truck to Tennessee on her move to Newport TN - then on the return trip I would meet up with my Daughter Nan in Nashville.  Later I went over to my daughter Nan's house to discuss her trip and where we could meet. All in all Saturday & Sunday were very exciting days.

 

I had a Fantastic Sunday!

This Sunday was such a fantastic and exciting day for me.  It started out very routine.  I got up early enough for church, then during church my quilting friend Valoriea announced that she needed a driver for her moving truck.  She was planning to move back to Tennessee and leaving on the 2nd of August but needed a driver for the truck so she could take her pickup truck down with her and not have to come back for it.  While she was talking I was thinking how fun a trip to Tennessee would be since I had not been down that way in a very long time.  I knew I would not be able to drive the big truck due to my shoulder, (the vibration would not be good for my shoulder).  I expressed my thoughts to her later and wished her well in finding a driver.  to my surprise she asked if I would be able to drive her pickup truck, stating that she would drive the larger truck herself.  We went outside to check out her pickup truck.  I was able to get in and out of it ok.  She asked if I would like to be her driver.  Would I!  I was so excited.  We discussed driving and how she did not like to drive fast nor drive at night.  Neither do I :) We decided it would be a go.  Then I texted my daughter Nancy to let her know that I would be going to Tennessee in August and how excited I was about it and the arrangements we were making to tow my car down so I could drive it back.  Well to my surprise she said that she would be in Nashville TN on the 8th & 9th and if I could meet her we I could drive home with them.  Perfect!  I wanted to see me Niece Karen on my way home and Karen would be coming to Nashville to see Nan and Zuri - Wow - I am awestruck at how this is turning out.  Valoriea and I both agree that God knows our needs has a perfect plan for each of us.  Not only will Valoriea have a driver for her pickup so she does not need to come back for her truck but I will be able to see part of the country I have been longing to see - enjoy my road trip and spend time with my daughter and see my Niece too.... Wow! 

Today (Monday) I spent most off the morning printing out my travel route and planning my trip.  I also reserved a car rental from Knoxville to Nashville for the 8th and 9th.  I plan on driving out to Nashville, meet Nancy and stay overnight with her there in the KOA Camp, enjoy meeting my Niece Karen when she comes to visit and then travel back with Nancy and Zuri, sharing the drive home and visiting with them on our return home trip. 

Now the rest of this coming week I will be at a Quilting Retreat with my quilting buddies Wed - Sunday.  I also spent this morning planning what projects I want to work on and getting together my sewing supplies for this.  How fun.  I am so looking forward to these next few weeks.