Friends and Family Stick.... Kinda Like Glue: Days 10 & 11

The past couple days (we're going to call them Days 10 and 11) I have been busy getting things in order here in VA. Trying to decide about insurances, whether or not to go on leave without pay or just quit the government all together, the possible sale of my house. You know, fun stuff, like what utensil I should use to gauge out my eye. All this crap here makes me just want to be THERE already!

But then, there are the moments that transpire, moments that overflow my heart with joy because I know God is working. But more so, I know He is good and He is loving. In the past two days, I have been overwhelmed by how God can orchestrate and how He loves to comfort me. Whether it's through a long overdue lunch to catch up with a friend(s), or past acquaintances turned friends through empathy and a common bond. Or sometimes, the most exuberant and heart warming one of all, a big smiley face 21 month old boy running toward me as I walk in the door followed by a hug with a few pats... These moments may be something I will physically leave behind when I move to Colorado *tear*, but I will carry them with me for a long time. Moments that transcend any amount of distance, every time zone, or any type of change. Moments that brought me love, comfort, and clarity at just the right time. In His perfect timing.... They are snap shots of how God loves me (us) that need to be stored in my memory bank because I am so quick to forget how GOOD He is when things get tough. I have some amazing family and friends that God has blessed me with, and I will miss them dearly when I leave, but I think Mr. Buechner got it right in saying,

'You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live IN a world but a world lives IN you.' -- Frederick Buechner

*I'm not exactly sure who Frederick Buechner is, but he must've had friends like mine!!

Excitement With a Dash of Fear (at times): Days 6-9

You may not see it, but this '40 Days to Colorado' blog posting, has kept me more consistent as a blogger. And to be fair, when I say more consistent, you should know that I'm comparing myself to the emotions of a 15 year old girl. Yes, my blogging is more consistent than the emotional status of a teeny bopper. Thank you. Thank you very much. But in all honesty, I do FEEL like this challenge has in some way made me a more accountable blogger (you're welcome) and I actually am enjoying it. So, in true to form Katie Scott fashion, here are days 6, 7, 8 AND 9. Oh hush, cut a girl some slack!

I was in Nebraska (and we all know how busy Lincoln, NE can be!).

Day 6-8:

Well, like I said, I was in Nebraska so as far as actual preparation for my move.... let's just say I'm forgetting the past and moving forward! But I did, however, get plenty of invites to visit good ol' Nebraska while I was with my family. Which I loved. I got excited about moving all over again because it was brought to my attention that I would be living only 8-9 hours from my family in Lincoln! .... which, by the way, will afford me the opportunity to not only see my family, but also to make it to at LEAST one football game this year! GO BIG RED!!! Yippee! I guess living on the East Coast all my life, it didn't dawn on me that I would be within driving distance of my Crazy Rels, whom I love so very much! I anticipate a road trip or two after my move out to Colorado! I'm eager to explore and call new parts (to me) of the country home for a little while... having some sort of family around will make it that much sweeter!

Day 9:

Without sounding like a SNL Debbie Downer skit (hilarious, by the way...I love how they can't keep it together), the thought of moving to Colorado is sometimes a lonely thought. There are times that I feel ambivelant about doing this alone. On one hand, I know that it may not even be an option if I were married and had someone else's life to factor into the equation... I am so thankful for the freedom I have to make this opportunity but, on the other hand, I feel like it would be nice to have something (more so, someone) static, a teammate per say, to equalize some of the change and share the adventure with... Because it will, without a doubt, be an adventure! It's not every day that I feel so thwarted about doing this move with no companion, the adventurer inside of me is generally MUCH louder than 'Debs' and her anxious, annoying voice. But every once in a while, she rears her pathetic little self in hopes that she scares me out of going.... the Debbie Downer in me wants more than anything to be safe and comfortable. Not stretched and grown. But my itchy feet won't let me stay in the comforts of this place right now... This is my journey, that God is graciously letting me trek. He is with me... so whom should I fear?

Winter Break and a Healthier Life: Day 4 & 5

I got to Nebraska yesterday. Of course, not without being delayed 2.5 hours, but I'm here and it feels good. I've never lived in Nebraska, but over the course of my life I've probably come to visit (my extended fam) somewhere around 20 times. Which, by the way, when I saw my grandma last night and went to hug her, she had a huge smile on her face and then said, "now who are you??" LOL... At least by the end of the night she told my mom "I really liked that girl sitting across the table (me)." So even if Grandma Jean doesn't remember me, at least she likes me when I'm hanging out with her. Give her a break, she's 90! She was cute as can be and didn't want to stop playing chicken foot (dominoes) until she beat me one good time... I may have found where our competitive gene came from. It's strange because although I never lived here and apparently didn't get out here enough throughout my life, it still channels home for me. I guess it's because I'm with family and surrounded by love when I'm here. But I'll post more on this Nebraska trip another time.... I have some business to attend to and I owe you a day or two of my 40 days to Colorado. So without further ado....

Day 4:
Can I be frank with you? I did NOTHING for my move on Thursday.... But these post don't have to be about what I've done for my move, they can be anything RELATING TO my move or how I'm thinking or feeling because of it... Basically whatever I want. Get it? So for Day Four I'm going to talk about something I am incredibly excited about once I get out to Colorado. Something that, because of basketball, I have never been able to full advantage of... it's called WINTER BREAK and I am THRILLED that I will get one this year! Megan and I have already been planning our trip and I. CAN'T. WAIT.

Nothing is in stone yet, but it seems that the most appealing idea to us is me meeting her in China for a week and then going to BALI, soaking up all that Indonesia sun and romping around the island for a week! December can't get here fast enough! There will definitely be so tough things about being a student again, but this will most definitely be one of the perks! No wonder some people take 12 years to get through college... If I had known what I was missing out on maybe I would've got on that plan! But thank God for second chances right? This time around, there's no orange ball, plenty of time, and plenty of world to go see!!!

Day 5:
There's no denying that over the last 5 years, especially since my last knee surgery, I have become grossly out of shape. I have great plans for Colorado and one of them, is getting back in shape! I'm not talking Division I College Basketball in shape, but I am talking a shape other than round. I want to be able to get my cardio fitness up and shave a few (eh-hem) of these lbs that I've come all to accustom to, off! I'm not sure what my knees are going to allow me to do but I'm excited about all the different options there will be in Colorado AND the time being a student will afford me to use to figure out what's best for me.

Colorado, I'm comin' for ya!! Are you as excited as I am?!?

Mapping skillz... I got 'em

Day 3:

I did do some preparation for my move this week and feel quite accomplished because.....

I mapped out Dad and my route to Colorado Springs!!! We'll see if this route is efficient enough for Dad, but I kinda like it and have already prepared myself for four (not three) days of driving. We'll start off strong and drive a solid 8.5 hours to Lexington, then the middle two days will be 5/6 hour days. And in true to form competitive Scott fashion, we'll finish strong and drive about 9 hours from Lawrence, where my friend Marcus lives, to Colorado Springs.... my new home! Our stops (unless "Mr. Efficient," Dad, objects) will be:

1. Lexington, KY
2. St Louis, MO
3. Lawrence, KS
4. COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

I also decided yesterday that I am not going to work my friends to death this time around and hired helpers to load the truck up in VA and unload it in CO. I'm hoping this is a good decision in the end. They were relatively cheap and hopefully will be worth the money along with saving some time and energy (my friends' energy that is). After all I don't want my friends disowning me because of my over sized couch and clothes horse tendencies. I'm already counting on the fact that the hired helpers was a winning move, and most likely will allow me to keep my friends in the northern VA area!

I leave for Nebraska tonight (nooooo, I'm not making excuses for a possible delay in posting) to go celebrate Grandma Jeans 90th birthday this year! I imagine we'll eat some amazing corn, have a hoedown and probably go cow tipping*... Should be a good time! I can't wait to see and catch up with everyone! Although, I am sad there will be no football game for me to attend this go 'round. Next time!


*I've actually never gone to a hoedown OR cow tipping (yet) in Nebraska but I'm pretty sure that's what you envision when I tell you I'm going there!

Just A Well Planned Road Trip Away ;)

Day 2:

I saw Shayla for the last time before I leave for Colorado last night AND got to celebrate her birthday, albeit, a few days late. But it's better late than never, right!? It was good to see her, as per usual but so very strange to think that I won't see her for a while. Well more so, I won't BE ABLE to see her for a while because of the distance and busyness of our schedules. It's not like I see her every day now or anything but if needed, either one of us could hop in our car and scoot up (down) the road on a whim or if it was needed. It's a road trip we've both done numerous times.

Soon, being 1646 miles away, a road trip on impulse won't really be possible. Although I know Shayla would be down for a road trip like that because when I told her I was moving, that was the first thing she said after she congratulated me. I think her exact words were "Road TRIP!! I'm down for it!" But now there will have to be planning, intentional planning for us to get together. Oh, and of course, money. Unfortunately, being a full-time student may put some restraints on this little social butterfly's capacity for travel over the next couple years. The one thing I've got going for me is that Colorado is a pretty cool place with lots of different things to do that you can't do here in northern VA. Hopefully the slopes, clean air and beautiful weather will be enough to entice my friends to come see me at some point during my tenure as a Coloradan (is that what they're called?). And if not, I'll just have to marry some old guy for his money so I can travel around the world and visit my friends!!*

Our goodbye was no different than my standard goodbye with a hug. As I walked back to the car I wasn't panicking that my best friend and I were going to be 1646 miles away. I wasn't sad to be leaving. I wasn't scared that our friendship would be altered by the distance. I never experience those feelings until I'm actually in the moment.... You know the scenario, when I've got 3 reports to write but need someone to procrastinate with for just a few minutes longer because "You have to hear about this dude I ran into at Starbucks today!!" or coming home from school and just needing to talk because, "seriously, EVERYONE in my little world is getting married and having babies right now. or am I just being ridiculous?!" THEN I will be sad. THEN I will realize how much I miss her and how the way we can communicate through just one glance or the nudge of an elbow.

As excited as I am about moving and starting a new chapter in my life, I have a feeling that once I get out to the Springs, there will be days that I want the comfort of home, the comfort of loved ones, the comfort of friends. And that's what Shayla is and always has been since the day we became friends... comfort. I will definitely miss her spunky self but I know that our friendship will not skip a beat (thank God for skype and facebook)! She won't be making this first road trip with me to Colorado. Dad trumped her and gets to be Dad, and do what Dads do; make sure their little girls are okay and all settled into their new place when they make big moves like this one! But one thing is for sure, there will be more road trips for this friendship, and I can't wait!


*bad joke. it was a joke, mom, promise. unless.... no, I'm kidding, really I am.

A Journey Begins - 40 days until I am a Colorado resident

I really don't need to talk about it again. But I will. Just in case there is ONE new reader, or if one of my old followers (I am using the plural term very loosely... hi Mom!) just happened to stumble upon my page after months of NOTHING, and think someone hacked into my blog to post an entry. It's me! I was not hacked! You should know by now that it's quite cyclical with me. But I WANT to be better. I don't write about anything that is going to change the world or in most people's eyes, important, but it's theraputic for me and I love doing it. In effort to be more consistent AND to document the begining of this next chapter in my life, I'm going to blog something about this transition for the next 40 days. That will take me to 19 August, the Friday before my classes start. Then we'll just have to see where the journey leads from there. So here's to consitency, new beginings, bitter-sweet good-byes, and road trips all in my very near future. Lord, be with me. please.

Day 1:
I can't believe that I'm moving in less than five weeks. I feel like another list is in order so I can get everything done in preparation for this move. Truth is.... I don't WANT to do those things. I'm finding myself wishing I was already in Colorado so I wouldn't have to deal with things like, my condo, moving my stuff out of storage and the Campbell's place, closing up admin stuff at work, thinking about not having a job come August, and all of the menial tasks that are required when one is moving thousands of miles away.
The problem with escaping these tedious duties and 'just getting there already' is then I would miss out on all of the good stuff here. And as far as that's concerned, I'd like to just grab hold of time and make it stop for just a little. It's not that I don't want to move. I do. No, really I do! But I don't want to be so focused on my to-do list that I miss out on these last precious moments that I have here in VA with my family, friends, and everything DC has to offer (I'm pretty sure Colorado Springs doesn't have the myriad of cuisine or culture that VA/DC does). It will also be missing a little 21 month old that has stolen my heart. Gah, if I could just put him in my pocket and bring him with me, I would. He's not the only one I will miss. I have lots to do, but more importantly, lots of friendships to celebrate before my road trip out to Colorado!! I just need to find balance between social and to-do's!

Today's list - Celebrate with Shayla.

So far, I'm doing pretty well not getting bogged down with the necessities of moving ;)

A couple highlights from my hiatus :D

Yes, I was on a bit of a hiatus for the last 5 or 6 weeks. But I wanted to blog, I REALLY did. I just couldn't find the time in between basketball tournaments, triathlon events, finding good restaurants, plunging off the highest building in Las Vegas, and all the other tedious little duties that try to even out the perks of my job while traveling. Coming back to work after being gone for 4 weeks is THE equalizer for me in this job... I hate, no, I loathe voicemail. It's the worst. And coming back to a full mailbox with over an hour's worth of messages makes me want to hit delete knowing that if it's important they'll call back cry. Not to mention the 643 emails to sort through... Ok, so you get the gist. I've been busy at work, which is no big deal (I don't BLOG at work anyway), that's life and you take the good with the bad. And in this case, the bad is not really THAT bad. I'm just whining... so the REAL reason I have not blogged since I got back a week ago is two-fold:

1. My sleep schedule got incredibly jacked up while I was on my trip and that has effected my nights, which is normally when I blog.

2. It's nice to be home and around family (so the blog took the back burner).

A lot has happened between the time I left for my work trip and now. It's a bit overwhelming to think about recapping everything. To be honest, I probably couldn't remember it all if I tried. But I'll give you the highlights:

COLORADO, HERE I COME-

I got into CCU's Master of Arts Counseling Program, which means I'm moving out to Colorado this August! Which ALSO means that I am resigning my position with All Army Sports to go back to school. WHAT?! I know. It sounds crazy, maybe even stupid to some, but this has been in the works for longer than I was ever aware (until this past year), and it has been marvelously exciting to watch the pieces in this puzzle start to take form in a much bigger picture. There's lots to do before I pack my things up (again) and travel West, but I'm not going to let myself get wrapped around the daunting task of moving. Because when all is said and done, I will be in Colorado, and my friends and family will not. I'm making spending time with the people I love here on the East Coast a priority and am enjoying this transitional period, rather than dreading all the little stresses it may bring.

I'M AN AUNTIE (again)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most of you probably already know, but the very last couple days of my trip were filled with excitement and anticipation because with every day that passed, it meant I was that much closer to cuddling my new little niece, Whitney Kristin Campbell! And you guys, she is SO cute. Her little face is so perfect, and she coo's and growns when she sleeps. It's hard to believe that not even two years ago Matthew was born AND two years prior to that, Amy and David hardly new each other... I am so thankful that they have adopted me into their little family as resident third parent. I can't lie, it's going to be a bitter sweet good bye this coming August. What am I gonna do with out my little buddy?? I can always count on him to make me laugh, smile and to fill my love tank past the brim. *sigh

(to be continued).....