This Owl Flies....

On a plane, of course. Tomorrow I leave for New York. I have never been. Though I am going for an investigator meeting, I will have some time to explore. Being alone in New York is a little daunting, but I am excited!
Next weekend I am going back to Memphis. I am excited to see Landon play soccer and spend some girl time with my Lou on Friday! We might even fit in a visit to St. Jude to see my girls. I am making part of Lou's costume so instead of having to ship it home I will get to deliver it and see Lou wear it. Landon decided to be a transformer this year. He didn't want to take the costume off when he got it home. Dennis sent me some sneak-preview pics of them. I look forward to seeing Dennis as well. I know my time will be brief, but at least I won't have to wait until the middle of November to see husband and my children!
The following week I am in Miami for another meeting. This trip won't require a plane ride, but another first since I have never been to Miami either.
Busy girl, busy times! Gotta fly!!!!

Hoot!

Falling In Love All Over Again....

The past couple of days have been dreary. The weather has been gloomy with clouds and showers. My sunny disposition also seemed to disappear with the change in the weather. I have had a rough couple of days coping with the extreme amount of change I am enduring. I miss my family and friends. I miss my morning conversations with Meghan and Sam. I miss hugging, kissing, and telling my children goodnight. I miss waking beside my husband. I miss my bed! Oh my glorious, sent from the heavens bed! How I cannot wait to sink into lovely bliss that is my own bed again!

I know other people transfer and leave their families behind for months on end (6, 8, 12, etc..) my measley little month and two weeks has felt like an eternity this week. But, the weather changes in Florida pretty rapidly, so upon waking this morning there was sun again. And just like that I immediately felt better.

I got ready for work knowing today is Friday and I am in need of a little adventure this weekend. Perhaps the Keys? Sanibel Island? Possibilities are endless folks!
In my refreshed state of mind I got ready for work, left my hair curly , and put the top down for my commute. Nothing better!

I text husband on my way in this morning. It said "Good morning. Sunny, top down, hair curly. Happy Friday."
He responded with "Good morning. All the things I love about you."

He really gets me. For me it is the little things that seem to brighten even the most mundane situatuions.
And just like that I fell in love with the boy all over again! After 11 years of being together he still knows how to make me smile.

Not Your Typical Southerner????

Upon further exploring my new surroundings, I have come to some conclusions. I know it is early on, but still I think these insights will hold true.

1-Honey, we are not in the south in sunny southern Florida. Ironic? Yes, but true. What I mean by this is that there are more northern people here than southern. Tons of "transplants" from New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and the like. Due to these "transplants" the way of life here, the attitude, and the over-all feel is more like the north than the south. I have noticed people don't say "bless you" when you sneeze. I know it seems silly, but I was taught to say "bless you" when someone sneezes. Doors are not held for you. No one gives a thank you wave when you let them over in traffic, they would just as rather run you over. Speaking of traffic, I got the 1-finger salute the other day for not driving the acceptable 10 miles over the speed limit. So I have officially been initiated.....

2-I may be from the south, but I am not the typical southern gal. This realization came about after speaking with a board member at my new place of employment. The conversation went; "so you are from Memphis, you must be an Elvis fan?". My response, "no, not really". I know, I know bad Lesley! I have no issue with his music in general, but anyone that died so ungracefully on a toilet of all things....I am not a fan, sorry. This board member then asked if I liked grits. I again said no. I admit during pregnancy with my daughter I ate grits like they were going out of style. Now, not so much. I then went ahead and admitted while we were on the subject of food I don't care for fried chicken or potato salad. Sacrilege! I am sure some are saying to themselves. The board member being slightly caught off guard, then asked if I say "ya'll". Yes, but only when tired or tipsy do I slip into southern slang and say things like "ya'll" and "fixin". So he asked if I was sure I was born and raised in the good ole South. Well of course I was. After all, I could never turn down a glass or two or three of good southern sweet tea.....
I know most of the questions asked were ones of stereotype, and yet as others may see me, I am not the typical southerner.

So here I am a southern girl in South Florida who has realized that both the girl and the town may be a little more northern than we appear.

The New Adventure...

As the morning of Friday, October 2 approached I. Was. A. Mess! A mess of emotion and thought. I spent the night before packing (or should I say shoving) the belongings I thought I would use/need into the mustang. I spent the night before in a daze as it still did not feel possible I was leaving home. I was leaving everyone and everything behind to start this new life. A life for now that was unplanned, except for a place to stay and a new job, I had no other plans for the month.

I woke up that morning and went about my usual routine only to realize it wasn't routine at all. I had to say goodbye to Dennis that morning. I had to kiss my children and make it last for a month. I had to remember their expressions and what little is left of that baby smell Lou is growing out of. It was a tearful parting between me and the husband as I pulled out of our drive.

I met my mom for breakfast. She kept a neutral expression trying to not upset me or cry herself. Half-way through french toast, my dad came in telling me he needed one more hug before I left. The flood-gates opened and I cried. After my dad left, Dennis followed behind him not five minutes later saying he needed to tell me bye one last time. In the middle of the restaurant I was a mess of tears. Dennis says I left a water stain on the carpet from all the crying. Thanks, honey....

I hugged my mom and said goodbye crying once again. I made it to my last destination (albeit, make-up removed by tears) the salon. Because a girl cannot start a new adventure without a fresh trim and a manicure/pedicure (thanks mom!).

So the drive began. I was off on my own for the first time for a very long trip. I turned up some tunes (DMB predominantly, of course), made a couple of calls along the way, and soaked in the feeling of anticipation over all of it.

As a child and growing up my dad would drive us to Destin, Fl for summer vacation. We always went the same route. My favorite part of the trip was the drive through Bankhead Tunnel in Mobile, Al. You start the drive through the tunnel on land and end up on the highway surrounded by ocean. I felt so grown-up (at 30 years old) driving through the tunnel and across the ocean by myself. I stopped over night in Pensacola to visit my aunt and uncle before completing the trip to my condo in Delray Beach. I made it to the condo at about 10pm that Saturday. I was exhausted and exhilerated at the same time.

It has been a little over a week now. I am still trying to settle in but I already love it here. The sunny almost too perfect blue cloudless skies, the palms and their gentle sway, the salt air-it doesn't take much to draw you in.

I think husband was right when he said I am a beach girl....