Home Sweet Home (almost)

Well, my friends, I have made it to Indiana! There were a couple hiccups at the beginning, but overall the trip was surprisingly uneventful, for which we were all grateful. My parents flew back to Florida this morning so all of the goodbyes are done...thank goodness! 

When we got to Gainesville on Friday afternoon, it was raining (shocker) but we didn't waste anytime getting started. My roommate, Emily, generously brought a dolly up with her to help us move the heavy stuff. My dad and I shimmied the family room chairs out the front door and onto the dolly and with the first push down the steps...the wheels broke off. Not just cracked. Literally broke and fell off. Both of them. So, we were forced to actually put some labor into it and use our muscles. Let's just say, I definitely got my arm workout in for the day. After a quick trip to Home Depot to buy replacement wheels, we headed off to Swamp (my absolute favorite Gainesville restaurant) for a quick bite to eat. 

I have two favorite meals at Swamp. The Buffalo Chicken Wrap with sweet potato fries and the Hawaiian Pork Quesadilla. I got one and my mom got the other so we could share, obviously. So yummy! Until next time, Swamp...

Friday night and Saturday morning were dedicated to packing as quickly and efficiently as possible. Emily came up to help and we couldn't have done it without her! By the time Nick landed at 10:30, the truck was all packed up! Of course, one of the back tires was low so my parents had to stop at a gas station to fill it up with air on our way out of town. We stuck close to my parents on the road pretty much the whole trip and passed each other several times. Nick drove the whole way with the exception of about 3 hours right before we got to Atlanta. We hit some traffic going into Atlanta (again, shocker) so we took the bypass to avoid going through the heart of downtown. We pulled over to switch drivers to which I quickly learned might have been a mistake. Nick sometimes thinks that he's a race car driver.  He also think it's ok to multitask while driving. Doing 80 mph through Atlanta while trying to drink and balance hot coffee between his lap AND trying find the hockey game on the radio through the iPhone makes for a very panicked Caroline. I also think he was eating pretzels in the midst of this. The Blackhawks won that night (and the Stanley Cup!!) so the drive ended on a very pleasant note. We all made it Louisville around 1:30 in the morning, safe and sound.

All smiles as we left Gainesville!

Sunday was spent visiting with family and we got to see quite a few people! Lunch with Baba, afternoon at Dodie's, and dinner at Jody's before winding down for the night at Tom and Jenni's. Monday morning we went and saw my Grandma before starting the final leg of the trip...Ft. Wayne! This drive was also uneventful and we all enjoyed a delicious meal at my Aunt Kitty's house that night before watching the Hawks win the Cup (Nick had to eat and run in order to make it home in time to get in his jersey and sit with his hockey stick in his special chair...but hey, I totally understand superstitions when it comes to sports.) 

Tuesday morning was spent unloading the moving truck and luckily Nick's very generous friend, Jace, let us use his garage to store all of my belongings. Thank you again, Jace!! We would have been fresh outta luck without you! After that, the rest of my parents' visit was very relaxed and laid back. We spent time with Nick's mom, but mostly just hung out at my aunt's lovely home! 

Speaking of homes...we aren't in one quite yet, but we are close. Once everything is finalized and good to go I will share details :) For the time being, we are staying with Nick's mom which is working out just fine!

Perfect summer drink for a perfect summer day!

The week went by quickly which is a blessing in disguise. Saying goodbye to my parents this morning at the airport was not pretty, but I am happy that it is all said and done. I will miss them so much but, as Nick made sure to remind me, it's not good-bye, just a see you later.

Speaking of Nick, he has been so wonderful and supportive through this big change. He left work this morning to meet me at the airport so I wouldn't be alone when I said goodbye and he just holds me and lets me cry, if that's what I need at the moment. He ALWAYS has a way to make me laugh and smile and it really does make such a difference. As we were walking out of the airport back to our cars, he told me that he had a surprise for me that would cheer me up. In his words this was "an anniversary/graduation/stop crying and be happy present" ....and I will say it worked! He knew giving it to me today would keep me occupied and happy when I needed it most...again, so thoughtful. I've wanted one of these for so long too.... :-D

My beautiful, new Canon Rebel XTi. It's the perfect starter camera for me and I cannot wait to start snapping pictures!

Finally, I have to say thank you to everyone who has called or texted me during this week to see how I am doing. It means so much to me and it always puts a smile on my face!

Until next time!