Arkansas is Mars?

There have been plenty of time since moving to PA, that I have felt as if I landed on Mars. However I must come from Mars because some of the reactions I get when people find out where we came from... you would think we are martians ; ) Evan had a new student orientation this morning. There was a family from New Hampshire and one from Ohio and others from neighboring towns or school districts. But when Evan answered where he had gone to school before, we instantly gained alien-like status ; ) I can tell Evan gets a kick out of how people react to the news. When we are asked how we came to live in this area, I wonder if anyone expects us to tell them about our spaceship. Seriously, folks, I don't think I ever reacted with such amazement when I met Northerners who had moved to Arkansas. (Any of my non-southern friends, feel free to correct me on that point.) It doesn't bother me as much as it fascinates me. Not to say that anyone has been anything but polite and pleasant in their shock and amazement of our origin. I wonder how long it will take for the novelty of our martian glow to wear off...

Tomorrow is the big day. Evan's first day of school in PA. He seems anxious to meet the kids. He has been missing that kind of social interaction since we left Arkansas. So even if he has to sit through school work and suffer the trials of homework, he will do it to have some buddies to hang with. I am ready to get back into the school routine. It will be hard to drop my baby off in the unfamiliar zone of his new school. Honestly, I believe his Arkansas school was way better organized with better facilities and more time for recess, PE, art and music. I am careful not to say as much because I think that might offend the PA natives. How can martians have a better school than us afterall? I know it will take time to acclimate to how things are in our new world. It is just that I seem stuck in a weird time warp/space continuum where time moves too quickly and too slowly all at the same time. Maybe I am still use to martian time... ; )

gone wild at Idlewild

Evan & I spent yesterday at a nearby amusement park called Idlewild. It has been around for at least 125 years and definitely had that classic amusement park feel. We rode both of the rollercoasters. The wooden one we both loved. It is a perfect intermediate rollercoaster between the kiddie coasters and the more adventurous adult coasters. We rode it 3 times. I bought one of those photos that they take as you ride the coaster. Will have to scan it into the computer when I have access to my scanner again. The other coaster called Wild Mouse was brutal. The cars you ride in look like cute little mice, but that was the only cute part of the ride. We both got off of that one banged up and bruised. I think I might even have mild whiplash... geez. Yes, I broke all the rules for riding many of the rides... no heart conditions, no neck or back problems, no recent surgeries. Bad me! But what a blast we had! The park is geared toward kids and Evan was the perfect height because he was tall enough to ride the "bigger" rides and still within the height limits to ride the "smaller" rides. I was bummed that we didn't get to ride the trolley through Mr. Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe. It is a section of the park that was designed by Mr. Rogers himself. The average wait time was an hour for the trolley. Hopefully I will get to experience that on our next visit to Idlewild. The weather was perfect and the scenery in and around the park is filled with gorgeous old trees and rivers.

(carousel during the late evening hours)

suiting up for our 1st PA Fall

One of the things on our list today was to start Fall clothes shopping for Evan. I have been told that Fall comes earlier up North and that layering is key. Already the mornings have been pretty chilly. So first on our shopping list was to get Evan a couple jackets. Found this cool blue one (with thumb holes) at the mall and the gray ESPN one at Goodwill. While at the Goodwill I came across these oh so fun yellow rain boots and one oh so practical hat/scarf combo. And to top off my Fall survival essentials, I finally find the Burst! Raspberry that is. (Just to clarify, the booze wasn't found at the Goodwill.) Didn't find any 6 packs so had to go with the pint. But this broad isn't going to be picky especially when the Raspberry Burst was found at a great Italian deli/market.

Anyway, all of our exploring seems to be paying off a little. Found a few nice off-the-beaten-path places to eat or get frozen treats. We are getting around with little to no help from our Garmin GPS now. We have even run into several people more than once and they have all made a point to talk with us again. Although plenty of people are curious about our accents, everyone we have visited with about our relocation has offered us a warm welcome and some even give tidbits of info or helpful suggestions. And they have been gracious when Evan talks their ears off about all the details of his old and new life.

I am trying to focus on the positive side of things. Here is one thing I like about our new town. It is a great walking and biking town. If you live in the main part of town (called the burrough) like we do, you can walk or ride to just about everywhere. Downtown is set up to be quite pedestrian friendly. And the voice of legendary actor Jimmy Stewart (as performed by comedian Rich Little) greets you at the crosswalks and guides you across. Don't think you could find that anywhere else on Earth ; )

Oh, one more thing I like... there is a fabulous old white barn that we drive by everyday right as we enter our new town. It makes me smile inside. I like to think of it as my own personal welcome sign : ) I want to photograph it so badly I can't stand it. However it is in a tricky location. It will take more planning to safely snap shots of it. But I will share when that time comes.

my me time is lacking!

I haven't been able to carve out much me time. It is hard for me to focus my thoughts when I don't have time to myself. I tried getting up early and sneaking down to the hotel lobby with my laptop Sunday morning while Markas & Evan slept, but that was unsuccessful 'cuz the child woke up and wanted to join me. This morning I have been trying to formulate my thoughts and feelings on our new house here in PA. But being in a hotel room with a 7 year old who is playing Mario Bros on his Wii isn't conducive to my blogging.

Everyday is a little like a Scarlett moment from Gone with the Wind...

"I won't think about it that now. I'll think about it tomorrow."

harsh reality/rebuilding period

Even when something comes that you knew was coming, it can still hit hard. I have to fill out plenty of forms to get Evan registered for his new school. Several of these require this info:

local persons to be called if neither parent can be contacted

I got nothin'. It is a mighty lonesome and scary feeling. I experienced something similar when we moved to Arkansas except Evan wasn't school age. And although I didn't know another soul in town, I did have family within a couple hours away

So this is actually new territory. I knew this was part of the deal when we signed up for this adventure, but until you face the blank lines of the forms.... [sigh]

Kate, any words of wisdom? : ) I know you have experience in this matter.

3 things I've learned in PA so far

1.I can still parallel park... even under pressure.

2. How an ice rink is made. Evan & I got to see it in action today while checking out the local hockey rink to get ice skating class info. I never knew that sand is the first layer in the process.

3. the difference between burrough, township and county... well I think I have...

1200 Miles Takes You a Long Way

Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania.

Six states over three days. We ended our first day of our trip in Jackson, TN. Seemed fitting to stay in a town named for us ; ) We ate dinner at a local joint that serves old style southern cooking. Maybe it is a coincidence, but poor Evan woke up at 5am the next morning vomiting. Not the best way to start off day two. However day two improved as we made our way into Kentucky. We played tourist at The Lost River Cave in Bowling Green. How could we pass up the chance to experience an underground boat ride through cave? Definitely a memorable part of our trip. The history of the place included a very popular 1930s nightclub and outlaw Jesse James using the cave as a hideout. My favorite part of Kentucky was simple the scenery. Old barns, classic farmhouses, and crops of all kinds as far as the eye could see. It made for a peaceful leg of the trip. We changed course and headed up into Ohio. Entering Cincinnati reminded me of Pittsburgh with the bridges and buildings. The Ohio countryside provided me with more scenic eye candy. I must have taken hundreds of photos in my mind as we passed through KY and OH. I was aching to stop on the side of the highway and captures some of the beauty and if it had been just me on this trip I most likely would have done that. Our time in West Virginia was very brief, but it was nice. Coming into Pennsylvania was exciting and a big relief. However I swear every road in PA is under construction. That final part of the trip was my least favorite part. Then again after three days on the road my overall outlook may have been a tad blurry.

Since arriving Wednesday night, I keep experiencing alternating highs and lows. I often feel stuck in a maze... no thanks in part to the narrow neighborhood streets and all the one way downtown streets. Each day Evan & I have gone out to explore and work on our 'to do list'.

I still haven't seen the inside of our new house! Hopefully Monday [fingers crossed].

The Anatomy of a Move

So much of my heart is here in Arkansas. My gut tells me this move to PA is meant to be. And my poor brain is too clogged up with to do lists, plans, paperwork, and the like... to be able to process anything properly.

Today will be my last full day in Arkansas. Tomorrow morning Evan & I will begin our next adventure. I feel as if I have been mixed up in a giant blender. I have the butterflies of excitement and anticipation of the newness coming. I have the weepiness of moving away from my favorite people in the world. The heavy exhaustion from this long, crazy summer has caught up to me as well.

I love the idea that I am driving to our new life. Seems much more symbolic than flying. Seeing our country as we inch closer on our map. But the key to that is loving the idea of the road trip. In actuality it may totally suck... But let's think positive, shall we? ; )

One thing I know for sure... I wouldn't be ready to take on this new chapter in my life if it weren't for the friendships made and the lessons learned during my chapter in Arkansas. And as always the support of my parents to make my own path in life.

I promised my dear friend Kate that I would chronicle my northern adventures in detail. I look forward to keeping that promise. The good, the bad, and the all the fabulously bizarre or seemingly minuscule things in between. Get ready, people! PA through the eyes of Danica!

The Best of Arkansas

small side note:

It's unfortunate that in a time with so much to write about, my attention and mind's energy has been demanded away from my creative endeavors. I hope to collect myself enough in the near future to share the anatomy of our big move to the great North.

***

in the meantime...

The Best of Arkansas

*part 1 in a series reflecting on my 7 years in The Natural State*

• Only in Arkansas can you say "only in Arkansas ________________" and no matter how ridiculous the statement, natives will have witnessed it first hand or heard about it.


• Say or think what you will about Arkansas, but it has put a lot of work into its state parks. Mt. Nebo being a fav of mine.


• Consignment/thrift shopping abounds. I am just guessing, but I think consignment stores are outnumbered only by churches and gas stations.


• My often challenging Arkansas experience has taught me so much about myself and my system of beliefs. It has highlighted my strengths and my weaknesses.


• I would be willing to bet there are more people wearing house slippers and PJs in Wal-Mart per capita than any other state. Just try to prove me wrong!


• I want to take my hair dresser to PA with me. Despite the humidity, I have never been happier with my hair than during my time in AR.


• I have very recently come to appreciate the low cost of living in this area.


• Although my cholesterol levels at times like to creep up above normal, anything under 1000 is usually considered excellent here.
• Insects are counted as livestock.