Leaving "Home"

Our final day in Minnesota was yesterday, Sunday, Oct. 14th. We were up early and got right to work. There was much to do and I personally put off alot until d-day. It was nice to have family and friends come over because they left with car loads full of what we left behind as were were living in the house until this day. Boy it adds up and I don't want to have that full of a house again!! (I say that now...) Every bag (and we had 8 of them) was stuffed to the gills and what small treasures we found in empty drawers, on shelves etc. got stuffed at the last minute. While we were packing and picking up, Liv and Hanna went to friend's Mary and Corina's house for some playtime, lunch and Halloween decorating. So grateful to Roger and Karla for taking both girls! Last minute goodbyes to my sister and neighbors and off we go! I would have been okay except for Mattias who uttered "goodbye house" as we were sitting in the driveway ready to go. Okay-there went the tears!! That lasted until we rounded West 41st St. onto Wooddale and then I regained my composure.

In true form, we were running late--and thankfully for the friendly folks at Sun Country, we were able to sneak to the front of the security line. Saw Shelly (Ollie's mom from DFC) who was taking our same flight to D.C. for a meeting she was attending. She was there when we should have been--early! But we made it in the nick of time and off we went. I enjoyed a Chardonnay on flight with my yummy cheeseburger/cookie combo. (was that really hamburger?). After landing, renting a minivan and driving, we got to the boat in Annapolis after 10 p.m. We unpacked some of the 8 bags and left the rest in the van. Toddled off to bed for the most part. I was working on a Paul Auster book started the last time I was on the boat; Mattias was using the wireless connection.

Today is now Monday. A beautiful 70 degree day. Liv commented that everyone is wearing longsleeves. We're in shorts and t-shirts. We are having a lazy day as the exhaustion from all we accomplished lately has set in. Late breakfast of good pot of coffee, cereal, milk and fresh bread; drive to search for play area with girls; a stop at post office to purchase boxes to mail off more packages of belongings to Sweden (eight bags was one bag per person too much!) found a nature park right next to the Marina for a fall "clue seeking" hike with Liv and Hanna while Mattias caught up on work phone calls; pasta and lunch on boat; kids on deck enjoying the sunshine; tracing leaves and playing with acorns found. I made a nice pot of coffee for Mattias and myself. We will get a game plan together for our stay in Annapolis. We will book a flight for Mattias' cousin who will stay with us on the boat when he arrives next week. Some bills are due tomorrow that I'll have to tackle as well. So that means I'll have to sign off now.

More later,
Carrie