The movers are here!

In events unforeseen, the movers not only arrived on the first day of the "delivery window" but earlier in the morning than anticipated.

I liken it to when you're trying to do something while driving (not that I would ever do that...) and getting all green lights.

Moving XX: our home!

Wow- we made it.

Over a thousand miles, 18 hours, and many states later, we are home.

Thank you so much for following along! We had a lot of fun posting pictures and blurbs along the way and hope you enjoyed reading them. I hope you all have a wonderful night!

As a last picture, can you believe we fit all this plus two adults and two cats in a mini cooper? I like to think being the daughter of 2 architects helped...

Moving XIX: the greatest city in Alabam'

So, this is more of a preemptive post since my phone will be used as iPod in a bit. My boss in Westport told me about the Randy Newman song "Birmingham" which I promptly downloaded. I played it as we drove away from NYC yesterday and will play it again when we get into town.

Do you guys know that song? If not, you'll love it. It makes me think of Toy Story, though. This prompted a suggestion from me that some day soon we do a Toy Story marathon. Fred counter-offered that we spread it out over 3 days... meh.

(photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org)

Moving XVII: Sweet Home Alabama!

We've made it into Alabama! Woot!

The gps says we'll get to the house at 10:01, which Fred is viewing more as a 'time to beat'.

Moving XVI: Georgia on my mind for 20 minutes

There wasn't even a sign! I'm disappointed in my home state :-(

Hi mom! Hi dad!

........


Bye mom! Bye dad!

Moving XV: Chattanooga at night

We're driving on highway 24 and really wish we were doing this drive in daylight. There is Lookout Mountain on our left, which looks like hovering lights in space. We drove around/over a beautiful river. All of which we wish we could share with you but does not translate into iPhone photos...

Moving XIV: first sign for Birmingham!

We're just outside of Chattanooga.
Sorry for the blurry photo. Dark+70mph=bad photo!

Moving XIII: Music to drive by

Our good friend Joe Vitacco very kindly recorded our wedding for us (audio only). This has been the first chance Leslie and I have had to listen to it together. We were so honored and lucky to have Tom Murray playing and the Christ Church Choir singing. Bringing back all manner of wonderful feelings.

Thanks Joe!

Moving XII: One state closer

Just crossed the border into Tennessee!

370 miles to go...

Movement XI: Movement & Location

Outside of Roanoke VA, about 525 miles to go. This prompted Fred to start singing that "I would walk 500 miles" song. (Name anyone? We're too sleep deprived to remember...)

Here's a view from the road:

Moving X: quiet displeasure

The kittens are displeased. Thankfully, this only results in some occasional and highly pathetic meowing/whimpering. I know we'll all be glad to get there tonight. We're really hoping the upgrade of square footage will help ease their less-than-friendly relationship.

Moving IX: Lion Roar

We made our first pit stop at the Food Lion on Highway 340. Fred was very excited about this because he hadn't been in one since he was 6 and living in South Carolina.

Moving VIII: Goodbye Maryland!

Two pictures for you:

1. Maryland gave us a beautiful parting gift.

2. Thanks to the Mainsters for giving us and our insane feline family safe harbor! (and yummy pumpkin muffins)

Moving VII: Frederick

Hey ya'll - it's Fred here writing his first official contribution to the blog. And look at me practicing my Alabamanisms.

Well, the foaming at the mouth has subsided and I have a slightly less anxious Magnifi-cat on my lap. Leslie's taking a turn at the wheel allowing me to keep ya'll posted. (Ooh I did it again.)

In about 15 miles we will go through Frederick, Maryland. I first heard of Frederick through my long-time friend Chris Lane, who I believe grew up in or around it. Ever since I've wanted to see this town that apparently liked my name so much they just had to have it.

Riiiiiiight.

Just passing through, but one more item to check off the old bucket list.

Moving VI: morning drool

Off we go!

No sooner had we left, Maggie began foaming at the mouth. This, naturally, caused anxiety on our part. Poor thing. It seems that I'm not the only one that gets car sick...

They're both pretty tired of being in the car. I don't blame them but we've got another 12 hours to go!

Has anyone experienced this before?

Moving V: a haiku

Driving all night long
Cats cry antiphonally
Jersey smells funny

Moving IV: Bye bye NYC!

Here we go!! Next up, Churchville MD!!

Moving III: stop to ponder

I was walking back from Evensong when I saw this. It is not special- hundreds of people see thousands of similar scenes everyday. But it made me stop and ponder.

Goodbye NYC.

Moving II: but wait, one more service.

Before we drive away from NYC, Fred had to first play/conduct Evensong @ St. T's. Oh, yeah, and direct a rehearsal... Sometimes you can't even make it up.

Such is the life of organists.

Here he is in action:

The Big Move starts today!

Hi friends. Wow- it has really been a whirlwind past few weeks, as made evident by my lack of posting. Here's a quick summary of our lives recently:

• 18-hour to-and-fro trip to Birmingham to close on our house
• Baby shower for one pregnant friend and dinner with another. (Seriously, I am surrounded these days by gorgeous preggos.)
• My parents came into town.
• Fred played a recital in Glens Falls, NY.
• My last Sunday in Westport- Schubert Mass in G (which the Senior Minister accidentally called "Brahms Mass" and to which my choir LOUDLY corrected him! Hilarious.)
• I played a recital in NYC.
• and lots and lots and lots of packing.

The night before last we each got about 45min of sleep. The movers arrived at 9am and we had to be (although weren't quite) ready.

And so today starts the big move! I am on the train right now to CT to meet the movers at our storage units. Fred is putting a full day in at work. (Remind me to tell you later about his next week- it makes the past 3 weeks seem mellow...)

Tonight, with any luck, we will have squeezed us, the 2 cats, and entirely too much stuff into the MINI Cooper and will be on our way! First stop: Baltimore.

Birmingham, here we come!