Falling into place

Week one is in the history books.  We have survived a traumatic first week of school for some, the awesomeness of the first week of preschool for someone else and a very satisfying first week of work for another.  I sort of feel like I have just been a taxi driver or messenger this week.  I have spent time catching up on somethings to send home for work.  Since we are going in with Daniel in the mornings, from about 8 til he is finished, I primarily just wait.  I have spent a lot of time in the parking lot where he works, just doing my little paperwork.  I pride myself on my patience, so this hasn't been a huge deal, but... wondering if I can keep it together for another week.  TGIS and S.  Glad it's the weekend. 

We had planned this weekend to prowl around, to learn more about where we are living.  I have been going to the laundry mat about every other day so that our little basket of clothes doesn't become overwhelming.  We don't have a lot of stuff with us and it is completely amazing how much stuff is in a storage warehouse somewhere that we will have to sort through when we move in the house.  I anticipate a large trip to the dump! 

My last trip to the laundry was my most fun yet.  I made my first friend.  The laundry is usually totally empty, not even a person working there.  On Thursday morning, bright and early - a little old man came in with one basket and his bottle of Era.  While I'm cheap and not really into laundry to begin with, I am shoving everything in one triple load, just to get in and out quickly and cheaply.  He sorted his clothes and started three washers - with one basket.  When I found the opportunity, I asked him, "So, you know much about this area?", always fishing for ways in and out that don't involve these jacked up roads.  Intrigued, he came closer and saw that I was looking at a map of Arkansas.  He took his readers out and said "Where you trying to get?"  I replied, "Anywhere".

I explained that we were new, I'm a freak of nature and that I was struggling with some fears.  I told him that I would like to know that if I needed to, I could get to Fayetteville/Springdale area.  He told me he had lived in Marble, AR his entire life.  It is about 20 miles from Berryville.  We talked on and on and he asked a lot about KY.  He told me all about his trip to Indiana one time to see his sister's husband's sister.  He got lost in St. Louis and it "sure is a bad place to drive too".... yeah, tell me about it mountain man. 

I really wish I had asked his name, but he didn't ask me mine either.  We hit is off so well, that he totally had no problem passing gas while we were just standing there talking, just as naturally as breathing.  How I managed to keep a straight face - and to keep from covering my face, I'll never know.  Daniel would have been proud (of him, not me..) We were laundry buddies and I hope that he goes to the laundry every Thursday.  I have to admit, I was sad he didn't stay to dry.  I was so excited because he was just as friendly as folks back home and we really haven't run into a lot of those folks here.  I am sure we will, just haven't yet. 

I was as proud as punch to pick Daniel up for lunch that day to share with him my friend, my new routes and that my friend thinks I could make it to Fayetteville with no problems.  That day Daniel had made a friend too.  He had gotten to spend some time with another supervisor, was invited to church with her.  Progress was made on Thursday. Looking forward to checking out this church and hopefully feeling at home there.

Yesterday we got the call that the truck would be here today.  After much ado, we arranged to meet the driver in Harrison, where we could also return the rental to Enterprise.   So, with the as much planning as the Pentagon would do, we got the Dakota to Berryville so I could drive it to Harrison and follow Daniel.  I had ridden this far before and knew that it was something I could do on my own.  Success.  Harrison was a lot like Richmond, maybe Frankfort - everything you would need with groceries, movies, a Home Depot, a Wal-Mart - and a few recognizable places that we hadn't seen here.  I was so happy to see Walgreens.  

We ate lunch at Western Sizzlin!  It was just as I remembered it in Danville, with the numbered meals on the board, the salad/hot food bar, and then black plates with the silver top ... remember those?

We poked around for a while and then got the truck and had a most pleasant day.  Temperature, just right - no jackets even.  On the way home, we stopped at a fruit market and got a small bag of these wonderful beauties.  The Arkansas Black apples.  I got Fuji's too - both excellent.  The little store was wonderful inside - with bins full of nuts, dried fruit of every kind, jams and jellies.  I loved it.  The lady peeled an apple for me to try and I loved it.  She said that a lot of people use them for pies, for applesauce and they keep well. 

http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/arkansas-black

Check out the link to learn more about Arkansas Black apples!  Apple recipes can be left in the comment box below!  Share your favorite apple dish!

We stopped at a couple "junk" stores and Maddie found herself one of those video game chairs for 22 dollars, she is as proud as can be and smiling from ear to ear.  It was a good day! 

I have been thinking so much about how we are so involved in our new life here and struggling with the words to express our excitement here - while knowing and feeling bad that there is life going on in Kentucky as well.  A few months back I posted something on facebook to the effect that this old world just keeps turning and nothing stays the same.  This is January 26.  On January 1, 2013 - I had no idea what changes would take place for me, us, our family.  I don't know that I can ever conceptualized this.  There is something bigger going on here and I feel it everyday.