God Blessed Texas. And The Melting Pot

So, on Saturday night, my friends treated me to a night at the Melting Pot for my birthday.
Don't worry, you didn't miss my birthday, there's still plenty of time for you to send me chocolates and...and, uh---appliances or stereo speakers if you are my husband.

It was my first time going. And I had a blast. That's a given, I was with my friends.

However, and no offense to my friends, the highlight of the entire evening, was the birthday card from the Melting Pot. It was signed by a handful of employees who happened to be working the night we all decided to come in and get our fondue on. Or, perhaps it was pre-signed, like 6 months ago and it's a collector's item because maybe some of those employees are no longer part of the Melting Pot family.

When I opened the card, the only legible signature was Beth. At first I wondered which of my friend's alter ego was named Beth. I confess, I'm slow these days. You can imagine my delight to find it wasn't signed by my friends, but rather, Melting Pot employees. Just for me.

Thank you, whoever you are.

I mean, thank you Beth and Scribblers I, II, and III.

I haven't done my blog visiting teaching this month. I figure, any visit from me is a learning experience, so I'm going to take the liberty...

Part of the reason is because suddenly Danyo's all up in my grill with opinions and whatnot. He's become a little more demanding of food and less willing to wait and let me finish my yoga session grilled cheese sandwich and stuff.

The other reason is because we are moving in 11 days. Suddenly, it's 11 days away.
We are moving to Iowa. Or, as every person we've ever told likes to say, Ohio, Omaha, Dubuqe, Idaho, or Chicago. Or, as Ben likes to correct any of those people, "Oh-why-yuh!" And he's more right than anyone. Except Dubuque. That one's pretty close...

J is starting a job at John Deere. It is in Illinois, right on the border, next to Iowa. We've decided to live in Iowa, because it's more holy. And is a swing state. But if cheaper housing is found in Illionis, I'm sure we can find some virtue in the state...

We tried to get a tractor for his commute into the job offer, but it was a no-go. He's gonna have to stick with his 1989, 3 crash surviving, 174 thousand mile, multi-fender colored Honda Civic.

He won't be traveling anymore. Can you HEAR my excitement screaming through your screen?

Only, we have to leave our beloved Texas. And this is heartbreaking. As much for J as for me, but only I will be heard to say that. J's not in the habit of walking around talking about heartbreaks. Because he's a stud. But, we are both very very sad to leave here. More sad than I think we even realize at this point. This has been one of the most wonderful experiences we've had in any place we've lived. It probably would have been Utopia if J had not had to travel the entire time.

I have been walking around the house with a lump in my throat for the last 23 days. I just made that number up, but it's been a while.

Tonight I had to say goodbye to Amy. Before she came over to say goodbye, I spent a couple of hours with a friend and then had to say goodbye to her. Both of them are going out of town tomorrow. Because apparently, my leaving the state isn't enough to put family vacations on hold. Next week I have to say goodbye to Rebecca.

I didn't cry once tonight. But the bravery is starting to overwhelm me.

So, between packing, and being brave, I don't 'spect I'll do much blogging. Oh yeah, and there are some kids to take care of somewhere in there too.

However, once we are settled in Oh-why-yuh, I am certain there will be some blogging like there has never been blogging before. Brace yourselves.