Good Bye Family Dinner

Tonight we had a nice surprise from Twister & Amanda Asturi (Sky's parents). They treated us all to a Good Bye family dinner at our favorite place Macayo's!

Sky, Poppy, Rhydge, Brandon, Amanda,

Twister, Drake, Me, Bart, Presleigh & Bryce.

It was such a nice break to sit down and visit with everyone one last time before we headed out.

Also, Beth found out that we were leaving within the week, so she flew in from Reno yesterday and treated up to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's.

Barts Office Cleaned Out

Another item of business on our "To Do List". Bart had to clean out his office since he will be gone so long, and he will need all of his stuff at the new job in Tennessee. So, we spent he day loading all of his stuff - first into his truck, then into the Connex that we are taking.

These boxes were extremely heavy! I didn't realize all of the stuff that Bart had accumulated! We still had so much to do, and we were already so tired. We were able to get it all packed in record time.

  

But, we left everything all tidy and clean for whomever will try to fill Bart's boots while he is gone.

 

Note: Things that we also had to take care of this past week = Went Visiting Teaching with Rachel Purcell (wanted to make sure that I fulfilled my church calling), finished packing, changed out the ballast in the kitchen (it just happened to go out this week), typed up a 32 page "manual" for the office (for the new girl), got my teeth cleaned, let Bishop Steve Hardy know that we are moving (had to confirm the "rumor"), got our taxes done (that was a job since Bart worked in Massachusetts last year as well), trained my replacement at work (Heather), moved Brandon & Sky's stuff into our house (since their rental agreement had ended), horses to the vet for the Coggins testing & health certificates (to take them across state lines) - thank goodness for Bryces help in this, brand inspector to do brand inspections for the horses, picked up a laptop for our travels!

 

All of this while Brandon & Bart were in and out of town (Tennessee & Texas) the whole week. Man this is Crazy!

Jukebox Surprise!!!

After work tonight, I was still feeling pretty depressed and overwhelmed. Bart came in while I was working on the computer, and asked me if I wanted to go for a drive. I was like OK...

So, I thought maybe we were going to run to his office or run an errand. Well, we just went driving, and driving......about 10 minutes into the drive I looked over at him and asked - "What are you doing?" "Where are we going?"

Bart can't lie to save his life! He said we are going for a drive - with a laugh. We basically went in a huge circle for like 20 minutes. I knew he was up to something, but I didn't know what.

When we got home, the house was locked, and we couldn't get in. There was someone in the house, so we knocked. Sky peeks her head through the curtain and says "We will be with you in a moment." I was like What?! Then she giggles, and closes the curtain. Anyway, we had to wait outside for another few more minutes.

When they finally opened the door, this is what I saw...my Jukebox - it was in the living room playing my favorite 45 record!

 

*Brandon & Bart got to talking while they were out of town working last year about what to do with my old jukebox that I have had for years - that didn't work. Brandon said that Sky's family member worked on old Jukeboxes. So, (this will tell you how observant I am), Brandon took my jukebox from up at the shop and took it to Sky's uncle Val. Val said he didn't have time to work on it himself, but would show Brandon how to fix stuff on it. So for the last few months Brandon has been working on getting it running again.*

Tonight when I walked in, it was running and playing actual 45 records! It was wonderful (made me cry!). So, Brandon, Sky & Bryce had to unload this heavy sucker and get it situated while Bart took me for "a Drive".

My kids are awesome!

Trees

So now that we only have 2 weeks until we leave, there are so many, many things to finish up around our place.

We didn't realize that our lives would be changing in such a short amount of time. We purchased 30 pine trees the weekend before we found out that we would be leaving. We needed to plant all of them before we left. Not only that, but run water pipe, and put them on timers, too! Yikes!

 

So, with the help of Brandon & Bryce, we were able to get them all planted. They are small, but will really look nice when they get.

I took my picture with one of them so that we could see how much they have grown when we get back.

Trees planted = check!

Work Good Bye & Anxiety

Well, this blog is being created to let my friends and family keep up with my Tennessee adventures.

OK - here goes....

Bart let me know at the end of 2014 that there was a possible job coming up in Nashville, Tennessee at the BNA Airport. There would be 6 fuel tanks that needed to be sandblasted & painted. If the company that he is working for got the bid, they would be starting it a the beginning of 2015. It would last for 10 months to 1 year. 

I asked Bart if he would want to go to Tennessee.  He said that he would love to go somewhere new.  Get out of Vegas for awhile. Ya, Ya, Ya...we have been saying that for years. So, I hadn't heard anything more, so we went about our lives, and I went about my daily routine....continued to work. 

Then today came "the news". Bart came home and announced that the company got the job! He was so excited! He said that they wanted him to go and run it....and they basically wanted him to move there. WHAT?!  Oh, and did I mention that he had to be there in 2 weeks!!! Bart wanted me to go with him. He didn't want to do the whole flying to visit once every few months. So, we decided that I would go with him. I was in shock, but more denial than anything.

So, after a weekend in a daze, I had to sike myself up to tell Dr. Heppler (my employer) and the staff at Advanced Audiology Institute. I only had 2 weeks until we were leaving, so I had to tell them right away.  And...., let me tell you, it was one of the hardest days of my life! I love my job as Office Manager there. All of the people I work with are awesome. After a morning of total anxiety, I finally got up the courage to tell Dr. Heppler.  Lucky for me, he was very understanding....thank goodness. So, I continued to work for the 2 weeks, up until the very last minute so that they could find someone to take my place. They were able to find Heather (who they have known from past years working together), and I was able to train her.

The last Friday that I worked, we had a potluck with everyone. It was so fun! The food was delicious, and everyone was there to say Good Bye. Courtney brought her awesome pork sliders, Joyce brought her famous marinated beef & rice (even brought me a bottle of her sauce to take with me), Stephanie her - twice baked potatoes, Heather brought all kinds of desserts, and I even brought a salad (it's all I could do, as my stuff was all packed).

 Here is My Gang!

Dr. Heppler, Stephanie & Kylie,

Me,

Courtney Smith, Joyce Callejo & Heather Steele

 

I will sure miss these guys. I hope that they will take me back after this adventure is over.  

 

 

I became especially close with Courtney. She always has such a positive attitude, and she is so fun to be around! She showed me how to do "selfies" with my phone, and has encouraged me to take photos throughout my journey to keep her up-to-date on what is going on.

 

Courtney.... I think knew that I was having a rough time leaving. She got me this cute leather bracelet that says "BRAVERY". I wore it for 4 days strait to remind myself that it was going to be ok, and that I would stay brave and get through this tough challenge. Did I forget to mention that I DO NOT like change!

 

The Hepplers gave me a gift card to a favorite restaurant of mine, too.

 



So, here is to my new adventures in Tennessee....I hope you enjoy the journey as well.