300 Boxes, 40 pieces of furniture, a dog, 8 wardrobe boxes....

So Graebel Van Lines drove off with a big load..though not as big as previous loads I had shipped. Mary Cluskey came over and vaccumed and cleaned and mom and I packed the car....just enough room for me!

Then, after waiting for the fog to clear, Rita and I started the first part of our journey to our home for the week - the Palace de la Quinta! Rita settled in on the bed with her pink leopard blankie and mom went to work.

Life at the La Quinta was pretty okay. We walked every night and every morning, sniffed all of the snow and ice and trees......barked at other people in the parking lot and pranced through the lobby every night so people could admire us.

Then, Wednesday we had the big snow storm. Mom even got to come home early from work -- even though she got on the phone and still made lots of phone calls. I slept on her lap.....it was great fun.

Finally Friday morning came and we got back in the car and drove to what Mom said is our new home. There are ALOT of boxes...I mean they are everywhere. And these guys keep coming in and out of the truck carrying our stuff. I thought our stuff was stolen but it turns out these guys found it and maybe more!!

Mom says I will like this place but I am not sure. She seems happy and all but I slip and slide alot on the hardwoods. I am really happy our bed is here and my couch....but I'm not sure about the neighborhood. I bark and bark and it echoes in here!! We did take a walk and mom showed me a fun park...there is a LOT OF SNOW. I ran around in the snow...that was fun.

Mom is all excited...she made coffee in our little red coffee pot and she even made breakfast and chili today. She says we have only unpacked 75 boxes and there are lots more to go.

Well I have to go and take a nap now. Mom says there will be more snow tonight...I have to rest up in order to play in it tomorrow....who knew??!

Moving On

Five years ago I drove a jeep with a bad transmission and a U Haul containing a cat in a box (literally), two dogs (who ate the top off of a cooler), a cactus from Houston, Texas to Bloomington. I was coming home with my tail between my legs, or so I felt. I lost my house, my job, the boy I loved, and I had to come back to my (COLD!) hometown to take a job.

Five years later...I left with a new SUV, one of the two dogs and a great job in Chicago. But this time I was actually....not so much sad but definitely not so excited to be leaving Bloomington. I enjoyed my time back in town, reconnecting with friends and family. I enjoyed my time at State Farm and the new friends I made. I'm leaving Shella and Dewey and Christie and Dad and Anne and Matt and Teri and Daphne and Nicholas, Dan, and his family, Cheryl and Elaine and Mary and so many others.

What I gained during my time was more self confidence, invaluable work experience, and a whole new set of people who will always be with me.

We're moving on.....but our hearts will never leave.

This is what.....10 inches looks like

Happy Snow Day to all!!

7 hours

Starting point: Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Stopped for gas and diet coke at 3:45 p.m. From Bussee Road to I-355: One hour and 10 minutes. From I-355-to I-55 (about 30 miles) - 3 hours. From I-55 at Weber Road to Veterans Parkway (including one pitstop and dinner): 3 hours. Sigh of relief at pulling in driveway, not getting stuck and getting in warm and dry snowflake pajamas: priceless.

Dollar Store

Where else in the world can you buy things for one dollar? (Okay maybe China...). But right here in Bloomington we have not one but TWO Dollar Trees. Here's what I scored on my visit last Sunday:

- wide leopard stretch belt

- 1 pair leopard print tights

- 2 soft and dri gel deodrants

- 2 Hawaiian tropic body lotions

- 1 giant gallon of water

- 1 copy of the Sunday Jan. 27 Chicago Tribune

- 1 copy of the Sunday Jan. 27 Bloomington Daily Pantagraph

What an amazing bargain!!!! Never say a dollar can't buy you anything! (Or that $9 can buy you even more!)

What a Difference a Week Makes

First photo: New Years Day 2008 - temperature was 1 degree and there was 5 inches of snow

Second Photo: shoes worn on January 6, 2007 - temperture was 65 and there was NO SNOW (and because it is January, unfortunately I do not have a good pedicure, either!...Sorry, Amy!)

Gotta love Mother Nature and her sense of humor!!

A Toast to 2008!

We're a day late in posting this while we were playing with the camera to get a family portrait. We finally got one good one while my nose was not too red from this silly sinus thingie. Rita is not too crazy about the camera so that was kind of interesting too...anyway....

Happy New Year!! Nothing better than having a clean slate with a new year. We wish the best to all of our wonderful friends and family.

Now...if I can just remember to sign everything 2008......