The Final Countdown: Two Weeks Out

The weekend of 9/17 I was in Las Vegas, Nevada with my coworkers.
The weekends of 9/24 and 9/30 I was in San Diego, California, visiting with my grandparents (fraternal).
The weekend of 10/8 I was at Camp Pendleton, California, beach camping with my family.
The weekend of 10/20 I was in San Jose, California, visiting my middle sister.
The weekend of 10/27 I was in Zion, Utah, hiking with my mom.
The weekends of 11/4 and 11/11 I'm in Waco, Texas, visiting my grandparents (maternal).

I share this enticing schedule with you bc getting ready to move is difficult. Getting ready to move when you work from 8am to 4pm and then work out until 7pm and then try to get your life together after family dinner is really difficult. Doing all that during the week and then not even being home for almost ANY of the weekends leading up to the trip to play catch-up (no complaints here obviously, I was having a grand old time) is next to impossible. So now, with two weeks to go until my move, life is a little hectic. Granted, it can't be all that hectic when I'm 1,500 miles away from my actual life and all I can do is think and plan and work online, but in the time I've been here I've been able to take care of a few last-minute necessity purchases for the coming year, do some more research on what kind of phone I intend on getting, and write this blog post. There really isn't much I can do from this far away considering the biggest thing on my list of things to do is pack *shudder*, so I've spent most of my time enjoying the company of my grandparents (Sharon and Wayne) and Uncle Kevin.

Something to note about my grandparents: they have had a massive impact on who I am today. I know that being close with your grandparents is far from uncommon, but these beautiful souls helped raise me way back in the day. They've been a huge part of my life since day one and I wouldn't have it any other way. They are where I get my love of the outdoors - they’re in Alaska and Colorado with their RV every chance they get, my questionable driving abilities, and (despite them living in Texas for the last half century) my progressive and forward thinking opinions. A South Dakota native born to a farmer and his wife, my grandma was one of four siblings. Born as the Second World War was ending in 1944, she grew up with an outhouse out back and a graduating class of 12 people. Grandma has the biggest heart of anyone I know (despite the fact that she spends half her time making fun of me). Her patience knows no bounds, nor does her sass, and while she pretends to be a hardass, she's really the sweetest woman in the world. She is brilliant in so many ways and it's all I can do to try and remember all the life lessons she teaches me along the way, whether it be in the kitchen while we cook or while she mercilessly obliterates me in any game of cards. I am often told that I am like my mother, who is like her mother (my grandma) and there is truly no greater compliment. My grandpa is, as the song goes, an Okie from Muskogee. The son of two teachers and the recipient of a masters degree he worked hard for during his years in the Army, grandpa is one of those guys who doesn't always let on to how smart he is, and then reminds you with some sort of powerful life advice out of left field. He is my staunchest supporter and has never once left my corner. He's who I would call if I were up a creek without a paddle, if you catch my drift. He is easily one of bravest and strongest people I know, and his ever-positive attitude and lust for life make him the best voice to hear on the other end of the phone when you’ve had a long day. He’s the guy who will tease you and poke at you till you want to throw something at him, and then win you over with a his charm and a joke and a mischievous laugh that you can't help but mirror. My Uncle Kevin has the kindest, most compassionate soul. He will talk to you about anything from your day to the weather while he shows you his most recently completed puzzle and asks you to play pool or Wii or frisbee (and then kicks your ass at it). Kevin is a constant reminder that there are still people that are truly, inherently good and pure. He teaches me patience, he shows me what it means to put others before yourself in every aspect of life, and he reminds me that almost any problem can be solved by singing along to some good old fashioned country music. He is ever-excited, infinitely more thoughtful than I, and can speak at a much higher volume than I will ever be capable of reaching.

Unfortunately, I do not get to see them enough. Truth be told, I don’t call enough either (though I swear I’m working on it). There could never be enough time spent with these people who mean the world to me, and the coming year will most certainly take even more of that time away. But I know that when I’m ready to come home, they’ll be there waiting with open arms and lots of smart-ass comments about how it’s about damn time I came for a visit. I am so incredibly proud to call them my family, and so beyond grateful that I get this time with them while we’re all still young and beautiful (particularly grandma).

But for now I think it’s time for me to go, grandma is makin' a racket in the kitchen and I think it’s time to make some gluten free spaghetti pie.

So until next time!!

​XOXOX