Well, the move went well even though it was a hard move emotionally. I just hate saying goodbye. The great thing was, I was not just saying goodbye and leaving loved ones and my hometown behind, I was moving into a new life with a great man and into a new adventure.

And, a new and wonderful adventure it has been. I love my new job and I'm learning to enjoy Nebraska and the midwest. I have finally found a church that I like and will stick with for a while to see how I fit in there. Since the landscape is so flat and there are few trees around, the sky looks sooooooooo big here. And, they have the best sunsets and sunrises that I have seen in a long time. I have even found a near by lake and recreation area for walking/jogging and viewing those amazing sunsets.

Then, on top of all that, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Ray and I will be getting married in August. So, wedding plans are underway!!!

It has been a busy two months. It amazes me to think about where I was just a few years ago and compareit to where I am today. While I miss my family and friends and my home town, having had a few bad homesick days so far to show for it, there is just so very much to be thankful for.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that your Christmas is even better!!!

.....my mom was right! The reason I don't want all the attention and all the people around for my last week before I move is because I don't want to say goodbye.

I spent a few hours with my Godparents after work yesterday. I met them at the local I-Hop for dinner. They really are family to me. As we were talking and reminiscing, my Godmother started to cry...and I mean CRY! How am I going to say goodbye to so many that I love and who love me? For a second I even forgot why I was going in the first place.

This really is a new chapter starting in my life. And, with the beginning of something new always comes the end of something else. In the 4 years I have been back from Connecticut, I have grown so much. Major things have changed in my family. I have grown much closer to them and there is a huge part of me that is feeling like I am abandoning them. I know that is not the case, but it feels the same, none the less.

All at the same time, I'm also filled with excitement and anticipation of what is to come. God has provided for me a great apartment and job. I have a wonderful boy friend with whom I hope to have a long and fruitful future. He is the reason for this move in the first place, and I'm grateful for how much joy he has brought to my life as well.

Lots of mixed emotions are flowing around in me right now. This week is going fast, and I'm thankful for that. My friend Brenda was just writing about living a more simple life, not over thinking things and just living in the moment. That is what I'm going to try and do this week. All the plans have been set for the move. So now, I just need to sit back and relax and enjoy my last week as a Maryland resident.

Well, this past weekend went by very quickly. I made $126 plus a pocket full of change at the yard sale I had on Saturday. It was really hot outside so I just relaxed and snoozed on and off for the rest of the day. Then yesterday, I went to my church (for the last time) and then went to the Orioles game (for the last time) and finally stopped at a local festival (for the last time)...... You get the picture.

And, it is what brings me to the subject for this thread....I'm not dead yet. I have been around enough dying people to know that there is always one or two things that people want to do before they die. It could be a variety of things. I know if lots of people who have "held out" until they were able to see someone again in order to say "I love you" and "goodbye."

In many ways, I think people are treating me with my move to Omaha in the same way. People have lists of things they want to do with me or time they want to spend with me before I leave. That is great and flattering. In fact, I'm SHOCKED at the number of people who have come out of the wood work to want to take me out to dinner or hang out or whatever.

What's the problem here? I guess there shouldn't be a problem, however a lot of these people never went out of their way to contact me or want to spend time with me before the "day of doom...my move" had arrived. Not only are they shocked that I have a serious boyfriend, but that I'm moving 1200 miles to be with him. Especially considering I spent so much time before saying how I'd never give up my life and such for a man.

I guess part of that is my fault. I keep that part of my life very private from most people. And now, all the questions and inquiries and all the "when am I going to meet this dude" talk is driving me crazy. Reality is, my most close friends and family will meet Ray when he comes to visit. But, I have no intention of throwing him into a weekend of meeting and answering to every person I have ever met or had some sort of friendship with over my lifetime. So, everyone else will have to wait for another trip.

So....and I mean this with all due respect........I'M NOT DYING!!!!!!!!!!!! I will live to see the Orioles lose again to the Red Sox. I will be back in Maryland again in order to eat at a favorite restaurant. I will be back to see my friends and family again. I'll even still be accessible via e-mail and telephone. That's right, Nebraska actually has telephones AND computers with internet!!!!!!!!!!!!

...where has the time gone? When I posted my last blog, I felt like I had everything under control and that I had plenty of time to get stuff done and ready for the move.

Well, let me just say that I'm glad I did not procrastinate this time around. After today, I have 6 work days left at my current job. I have 9 days until Ray flies into Baltimore for a visit, and just 12 days and a wake up until I'm on the road and headed to Omaha.

Things I still have left to do? I am having a yard sale on Saturday. I have to finish packing and getting stuff settled. I have to clean my bedroom (Can we say DOG HAIR?????) And, I have to be sure I spend time with my family and friends before I move on to this new adventure.

This morning on my way to work, my breaks went out on me. I'm fine, and the car is fine. Let's just say that today is one day that I'm glad there was lots of traffic and that I couldn't be a speed demon! It is taking some of my savings to get the car fixed, but at least it happened here and not on some highway in the middle of no-where-land Iowa.

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks, and the next few weeks are going to be just as busy and go just as fast. But, I'm looking forward to it. It really is nice to finally know where I'm going...well, at least for the next 12 months of my new apartment lease

A great new job....a great apartment.....a car with breaks that will work....a loving boyfriend waiting for me in Nebraska and loving family and friends praying for me here at home. What more could a gal ask for?