Post Denial -- On to Packing, Eating and Goodbyes

Ok, moving on past denial. That's a good thing, right?  Kicked the packing and shopping into high gear today and boy oh boy howdy are we in trouble. Bought a new suitcase, cheap but big. As in BIG. We will have to really watch how we pack to make sure the weight stays in line. And have I mentioned that I am the queen of hitting 49.5 pounds? Oh yes, it's really a skill I am quite proud of. If the airlines are only going to allow us 200 pounds of checked luggage, we are going to get our due. The carry ons are another issue and do please pray that we don't get an overenthusiastic check in agent who feels the need to weigh those puppies. That happened to us once, and it was not pretty. The downside of course is traveling across the globe with approximate 600 pounds of luggage (4 checked bags, 4 carry ons and 4 backpacks, um, "personal items"). The compensation, however, is putting away a huge pile of seasonings and little boxes of magic labeled "jambalaya" and "cheese and macaroni" that are rare as can be where we live. 

We ended the day on a very high note with dinner at Ryan and Laura's (son and dil for those new to our family), made by Marissa. It was Pepper Jack Chicken, probably one of my favorite home made meals and one not likely to be made anytime soon in China (liquid smoke and jalapeno jelly are two main components). Yum yum. Ryan made a Culver's run for frozen custard, and we all watched the King's Speech. The girls were not so impressed by the movie but I really enjoyed it, and Colin Firth is easy on the eyes even if he does stutter. ;)

The good but hard part of the day was our last morning at church. I cried, and not happy tears. It is definitely one of those things you can't truly appreciate until you don't have it. I know what it's like to not have it, and I don't like it. I miss it. I wish I could have told my younger self that during the years when church was hit or miss. 

Well, heat is out in our apartment (good preparation for what's ahead!) so I need to climb into bed and stay warm. More packing, packing, packing tomorrow. And we have a whole lineup of final restaurants to hit -- first stop will be waffles for breakfast. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.