first post from almost by the atlantic

We arrived at our new Almost by the Atlantic home early this afternoon. We haven't physically moved in yet (we are still in a hotel), but will be doing so the next few days. The next adventure will be unpacking.

I just couldn't stop staring at the verdant woods and fields as we made our way east. Our trip started in such a brown and dry landscape, and witnessed the gradual transition into sage green somewhere in New Mexico, through green fields in Texas, and then saw the eye-soothing rolling hills of Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia. This new location is quite the polar opposite of our former desert home.

So, what have I done the past 14 days? I have...

1) driven 2,253+ miles. My legs are begging for the gym.

2) ingested too many Spree candies (my mouth is sore), stopped at one too many Subways ("I'll have a 6" Club on whole wheat with lettuce, tomato, pickles, cucumber, spinach if you have it, and mustard and a little bit of mayo, please" just rolls off my tongue) and have witnessed many scary gas station bathrooms.

3) slept on eight board-hard mattresses. I have also learned that if you have the choice between the two, always choose the Marriott Residence Inn over a Fairfield Inn. It is often the same price, perhaps $5 to $10 more a night, but often provides two completely separate rooms.

4) heard at least a dozen distinct American dialects...I can clearly tell the difference between Texan and Tennesseean.

5) watched Seasons One through Four of BBC's Dr. Who (more episodes than I care to admit having watched) streamed on Netflix while Mr. BikeMan played his shoot-shoot-bang-bang game on PS3 (he had the movers unpack it at the last minute so he could play in our various hotels).

5) held my breath through quite a few speed traps seen at the last minute.

6) discovered that eating dinner from food purchased at the grocery store is waaaay better than eating at out at restaurants every night. Woo hoo for the Kroger salad bar, produce department and deli.

7) swam almost 14 days in a row, except for Midland, Texas...I was too wimpy. It was honestly cold.

8) come to understand that "it's a dry heat" really does have merit.

9) listened to the voice track of the same 6 children's DVDs too many times to count. My girls really do love mermaids.

10) managed to resort to the McD's drive through only twice!

11) confirmed that every single time you get sent to the ER, it is a guaranteed three hours. We spent the morning in the ER in Little Rock, Arkansas...Ilsa woke up with a recurrence of her strep from the week before we were packed up. It apparently didn't clear up, so they gave her a monster of a shot and some antibiotics to kill it dead.

12) said "girls, go to sleep" more times than I ever thought possible -- but I can commiserate. It must be awfully hard for little people to sleep in the same room as grown ups who are up for three hours past their bedtime.