Settled

That is how I’m feeling right now. We have been in the house for over a month now and it feels like home. It is home. The furniture is placed just the way I had it planned on paper (with a couple of changes). It is a comfortable place where Tom and I can spend time together, throw parties, welcome weekend company, and get to know our new neighbors.

We have already thrown one party. About two weeks ago we welcomed the managers from Tom’s place of employment. Eighteen folks joined us for burgers on the deck, college football in the “TV room” and visiting in the kitchen-living-dining area. I enjoyed giving “tours” of our new home and sharing the space with others.

Our first over-night company arrived the day after we moved in. Jennifer and Brody made the three hour trip up from Alabama and were a great help in getting all of the boxes unpacked. Twenty-two month old Brody’s job was to remove any green inventory stickers he could find on all of the the furniture (I think I will be finding those for the next year!), and Jennifer was a master at unpacking all of the dining room boxes full of glassware, dishes, and knick-knacks. When I was ready to call it a day, she would say, “only two more, let’s do the rest!” She was a great help and I appreciate all the work she (and Brody!) did to help our house become our home.

The following week Erin and Sarah arrived for a week long visit. Most of the boxes had been emptied and put away by then so we had some time to play. We found most of the nearby thrift stores, and visited some of the antique stores I have been eyeing during my travels in the area. Sarah loved the living room and its echo. As soon as Erin put her down on the carpeted floor of the TV room she would head out the door toward the hardwoods of the living room, go down one large sized step, sit on the throw rug and holler just to hear the echo. We would follow her and there she would sit – grinning at us. I started calling it her “magic carpet”.

Craig and a friend of his from Anniston came up a couple weeks ago. They liked the house but were mainly here to check out the Nashville night life. Tom took them downtown to some of the local “watering holes”. The Flying Saucer, Crazy Horse Saloon, and Coyote Ugly are the only ones that come to mind right now. After a quick twenty-four hours visit they were on their way back to Alabama.

We have met lots of our neighbors during walks around the neighborhood. Our next door neighbors, Marv and Carolyn, have been great. Carolyn and I have been walking about a mile together every morning at 7:00. Cali loves it and has definitely figured out the routine. As soon as I start putting my shoes on she is racing toward the front door. They are going to keep Cali for us during the next week while we are in Boston – I have a feeling they will be spoiling her with lots of table scraps!

We have been attending the same church (First Presbyterian Gallatin) for the month since we moved. We enjoy the pastor’s messages, and have been attending the Sunday School class he teaches also. Most of the people have been friendly and we are hoping to get to know them better as we get more involved in the life of this church.

All in all, it has been a good move. The time Tom and I finally have to be together every day for dinner and the evening is wonderful. I miss all of my friends in Anniston and our little church full of wonderful friends and family, but we will be back for a visit soon. Three and a half hours is not all that long when you have such great folks to look forward to seeing.