Wow..

our house sold today!

Just as we're packing it up.. the boxes, that is, we get a call.

It's the same people who wanted it back in January, but I guess they finally felt the pressure.

I'm glad they're getting it. They love it and they really want to live in our neighborhood.

Our Bemidji chapter is coming to a close. I can't believe it.

We begin our drive down south in 3 days. First stopping in Minneapolis/St. Paul to say good bye to my bro and sis. Then on to celebrate the 4th in St. Louis. Maybe we'll watch fireworks over the arch... or maybe we'll watch them on TV.. heh.. we'll see how we're all feeling.

After that, we overnight in Nashville and then Chattanooga, yes, we'll be visiting one of our favorite belly dancing goddesses, Mindy! :)

Let the adventure begin~

Learn Nothing Day is Coming!

Mark your calendars.

Artwork by Holly and Sandra Dodd

It's time for a break :)

And as Alec and Abbi would say "good luck with that!" (not learning something for a day ;)


Now back to packing for me.

Mississippi River Residents

Kyra brought along a camera and here's some of what she saw on their canoe trip.

Nice wildlife shots Kyra!

Blue Heron

Loons






and a turtle

Canoeing the Mississippi

This morning I waved good-bye to 3 of our family, as they paddled down the Mississippi River.



Alec's been wanting to canoe a river ever since he did a bit of canoeing over Memorial weekend. That weekend he canoed with his cousin on a lake near Brainerd, MN. He really enjoyed it, but he really wanted to canoe a river where you see different scenery and not just go around on a lake. So today he's getting to do that.



We rented a canoe from a local outfitter. The guide was great, as they drove to the launch he told them about the current happenings along the river. They're going to keep their eyes open for baby otters and baby loons.

They, (Alec, Tim and Kyra), will go about 15 miles today and it should take about 6 hours. It's a beautiful day for it, it'll be in the mid 70's and mostly sunny. ahhhh....














Abbi didn't feel like being in a canoe that long so she opted out. She and I will spend an Abbi/Mom day together, possibly going over to the state park and biking or watching some Buffy, or walking the Bog Walk at Bemidji State Park. The bog walk is so cool. Right now we can look for Lady Slippers that are probably just starting to bloom now. Yes we have wild orchids up in Minnesota. It's our state flower and it's so pretty.







We also love looking for some of the insect eating plants that are there, no venus fly traps.. only pitcher plants, which are cool in themselves.

From a Minnesota Wetland Tour site:

" Pitcher plants, beautiful and carnivorous. To counter the low availability of nutrients in bogs, some plants have evolved a carnivorous habit to capture insects or other small organisms and "digest" them for nutrients."

Have a great Saturday everyone~~ we are!

Transition for Alec

We ended up with these. I think Locks of Love will love them.

And he started like this:

The process

Eeeeeeeee!

And that wasn't the only thing he wanted to do.


He let me take pictures too. Our stylist kept saying what a good sport he was. Yeah, I kind-of like him ;)



















It was a wonderful day. Calm, peaceful and joyful. Transitioning on his own schedule, just wonderful.


Some things stay the same.

Raiding on WoW.


Isn't he cute? :)

Saying Goodbye to northern MN

My view this morning

I'm having a hard time with the thought of leaving my tree filled green northern MN. Yes, I know I'm crazy back and forth when it comes to my home state, but the woods right now are heavenly.

The trees, the green, the sounds. The cool air as I step out into my porch, yeah it's 50 right now. I love Minnesota in the summer. (well, except when it's 90-100 ;) Like I said, I'm crazy.

Each morning when I'm out I hear the loons calling. I'll miss the loons. A lot of mornings water will be dripping off the roof as I sit there, I hope GA gets more rain. The crows are cawing and the blue jays are squawking, some other bird is chirping good morning. There are lots of birds in GA too. :)

A new chapter is about to begin in our lives and it is hard to say good bye. But there will be new greenness and new happiness too.

Here's to you Minnesota, good bye for now.

A House!

We found one!

It's not exactly what I want to be in for the long term but there's a bedroom for every kid and rooms for Tim to work in and for the piano. Those were things that we were having a hard time finding. We have an unfinished basement so Tim can be the tool man again and a big yard with sun to grow things. Yep, we want some fruit trees.

We got a great deal on it so we're excited about that too.

And another plus, we're only about 4 minutes to the Stonebrakers, Yay!

Now we're heading back to Minnesota to clean, pack and say our good-byes.

House Hunting Quotes

Some thoughts and voices from the last week...

"Wow, there are a lot of houses for sale."

"Man, I wish there were some different houses for sale."

"Yeah, I like that house." "It has an awesome backyard!"

"There isn't a closet?" "Where are the computers gonna go?"

"Do you really need an office?" "What about the piano?" "There's no room for Kyra's drums." "We need another bedroom."

"ugh, I really don't like that house."

"Oh my gosh, yes, let's make an offer." "Wait.. termites?" "ahhh, alright."

"what? They want that much money???" "We don't have to take that one, do we?"

"That house?" "No...." "There aren't enough trees." "Wait, we love it!" "Yes!" "Are we sure?"

"I think we're crazy.."

"I love the lake!" "I can grow fruit trees or a pecan tree!!"

"I love you."

I think we're narrowing it down. But who knows, it may change in the next minute.

And... "It's hot outside."

Said with some happiness, some tiredness and some craziness.