Little after 4 yesterday I was speaking to Eddie, who we all know as my main contact at Honda about my car. Reminding him I was told I would get it back Tuesday. He said the car would be ready by 5. That’s exciting news so I spring up, get my stuff out of the rental car and fill it up with gas. Return the car and get a little ride over to Honda. I get Gwen and start to pull out of the parking lot and call Jason with my wonderful news. He happens to be driving by on his way home from work. Not 5 minutes out of the parking lot, Gwen starts to shake. I tell Jason as I try but don’t remain calm getting to the parking lot he is waiting it. He sees the RPM (maybe?) are really low. We call Eddie who is mad too that my car isn’t in perfect working order and to let him know if it keeps haven’t issues. Well after Gwen stalling twice last night, we took her right back to Honda. Id really love all this car drama to stop. I have had enough to last me years and years and then some of yalls.

Update on the boxes, well, the post office guy wasn’t very helpful. So unhelpful that I still have the items that are not mine because he wouldn’t take them because I didn’t have the box they were shipped in. Nevermind he needed the address that was on the boxes and I could write those down for him, he needed the box. Beyond frustrated since I called the 1-800 to ask what I needed before driving down there and not being told I needed the box. My mom though, got a little light at the end of the tunnel. The USPS sent her pieces of a box asking for what believe was to be in them. This is yet another box that I’m missing items from (my shoes). wrote out a list of items, in which she is gonna turn in along with the claims report I have. At this point, I just want to leave the box of items that are not mine on the counter of not so helpful guy yesterday and walk away. What is he gonna do, really? So, all of that to say there is a step in the right direction with this, but still too much drama.

I just want to be settled. I want my car to help me do that, I want my things to make me feel at home and moved in. But those just don’t seem to be “in the cards” for me so to speak. Its hard not to doubt that this is where I should be. That these big stressful things are not sign that this is not right. But I’m not really doubting, frustrated but not doubting. I don’t understand why Jesus isn’t doing what I want (but don’t we always?) but I know He’s here. That hope those that not even days ago wanted, I really would love some of it now.

Yesterday at church, I found a verse that brought me comfort to the prayer of hope I’ve been wanting:
Ephesians 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints..
Mind you, he wasn’t teaching on this verse or even passage but I have the bad habit of reading ahead of what we are actually studying while in church. But it was the confirmation I needed to know I wasn’t asking to much. More so, its the reminder that God has called me to such a place I desire to be. I really loved being in a service filled of familiar worship songs with good music accompanying it. A pastor who has a firey passion behind what he says and friends to sit beside to share it all with.

Update with the car, I asked Eddie on Saturday if I could get a rental car since he wanted to keep Gwen till Monday or Tuesday. I should of asked when I dropped her off, but this morning I got the good news that yes I do get a rental car. I’m so happy to hear this news, not having others have to drive me around taking them away from their days even though they are happy to do it. It will be a bit easier to get to know my new city with wheels to do so.

Anyone seen this billboards? In the south they seem to be just about everywhere. Seen the most different ones (the most popular seems to be “I pooted”, which is just fun to say so I cant blame it for being popular) around Greensboro. Apparently they are connected with the Cartoon Network for their summer line up or something. A really fun way to market something, get people talking on the silly phrases they put up all over bigger cities.

Blown headgasket is apparently what is wrong with Gwen. I’m glad they know whats wrong and gonna fix it. Not so glad that they’ve had my car two days now and I wont get her back till Monday or Tuesday. I asked for a rental car, but Eddie (my Honda contact here) cant get the okay to give me one till Monday morning. Goodie.

I’m in search of a tall bookshelves to put my many books that are still in boxes. Its one of the most unsettling feelings, living in boxes. Which doesn’t help bring the “this is home” feeling I’m wanting to come sooner than I should. But I know an organized room fully displayed with the comfort of familiar nick naks and friendly books would help. Hopefully tomorrow I can fine one and start making headway of getting boxes out of my life.

Had a little moment this afternoon. My mom called just to check in and see how things where going. I don’t know what I haven’t called my parents more but it made sense when I got off the phone. I miss them. A lot. I just stared out the car window as Jason and I drove down Wendover to try and control my sad thoughts. Jason asked what was wrong and I didn’t want to answer. But he just knew and asked “Do you miss your mom?” and I started crying. I didn’t realize how much I did till that moment but I do. I did my normal, “there are worst things going on, I shouldn’t be sad over this” routine. He only reassured me its okay to be sad over it and not to beat myself up over it.

I’ve gotten to hang out with some friends over the past couple of days. Kari and I spent the evening together braving the nasty storm we had last night. Apparently out here, a summer storm as they call it, which is 13 inches of rain that’s very heavy with hail, thunder and lighting is normal. Something else for me to get used to I guess. We had some great conversation over Barns and Noble, soup and Kari knitting. Then tonight Jace and I met up with an old friend of mine, Joe, from Newbury Park. I hadn’t seen the guy in like 5 years so it was great to catch up with him on his way home from the golf tour. Jason and him got to take turns picking on me all night over Mexican food and Buster’s ice cream. Delightful past couple of nights with friends that brought me comfort when I needed it.

Tomorrow I’m going to church at Grace to feel it out one more time. Hopefully start getting involved in the Jr High group and get to know those new 7th graders over the summer. I’m hoping to find a sense of community there, which I know I need and going to put myself out there sooner rather than later. Always scary though, meeting new people and going through the process of hoping they accept me for me. And growing older, trying not to close other people out due to past hurts in friendships, which I think is the bigger battle for me. My prayer is to really have open eyes and heart to what God has for me, as rocky as it has started, new season of my life.

Oh and I bought fireworks at the store tonight. THAT was awesome. Ive never been able to do that before. tee-hee.

So, I’m really liked my new store. Normally your first day at a new place you feel awkward and out of place, which I did, but I felt welcomed at the same time. My new coworkers are really friendly, introduces me to all the regulars and very kind. When my car engine light turned on along with a shake sounding like its about to stall, they all were concerned for me and wanted to help anyway they could. I missed southern hospitality! These people barely know me but want to go out of their way to give me a ride to where ever and anything else I might need? Well I’m just not used to such things from people I don’t know well at all.

My boxes, well, I haven’t tackled them in fear of what I may find. As some of you know, I’m missing three of my scrapbooks in exchanged for someone else DVD player. Yeah…I don’t know ether. But my cell phone is working again (oh yeah, left my charger in Charlotte and the screen turned off yesterday) tonight so maybe Saturday, my next day off I can call the USPS and see if they such a thing as a lost and found. Also, angry phone calls to Wal Mart in California and New Mexico Honda and now maybe Charlotte Honda. One step at a time though, got my phone back, hopefully my car tomorrow. And my wonderful boyfriend is driving over to get me for work at 6am tomorrow morning so I can get to work on time.

All of that to say, I’m settling, slowly and sorta painfully but settling. Biscoe likes his new scarf he wears it proudly so that’s a good thing. Maybe if I keep thinking positive these curse I seem to have will end.

Days on the road: 7

Miles driven: Approx. 3,000

Total states in: 13 (California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina)

Total Starbucks Stops: 5 Barstow , Santa Fe , Lubbock , Abilene , Arlington .

Other Coffee Shops Stops: 3 Java Cycle in Williams, Az , Higher Grounds in Pagosa Springs, Co , and Crimson Cafe in Tuscaloosa, Al

Dollars spent getting into Grand Canyon: 0

Miles hiked in the Grand Canyon: 3

Friends made in the Grand Canyon: 2

Times Gwen got a ride on a tow truck: 2

Honda dealerships whom I don’t like: 1

Honda dealerships whom I love: 1

Amount of TV watched: 0

Mix CDs listen to give to us by friends: 8

Times elbows where held: too many to count

Amount of pictures taken: 292

Amount of friends we saw on the road: 15 (large amount in Alabama)

Boy approvals: 2

Books read: 1 (Carla finished one and I started one)

Maps on trip: 7

Fast food stops: 6

Sit down places we ate at: 4

Times the road ended: 3

Highways taken: 11

Hours spent without cell phone service: To many

Times we texted google: at least 3 dozen

Total times Toxic was played: 6

Audio post: 12

Im here! Finally made it to Greensboro. Just wanted to let anyone know that and show off my cool poster my housemate Brian drew for me. It reads: “This is your Welcome poster. (Being clever is hard work. Look! GravyBoy!)” And Gravyboy’s bubble says: “To your new home!”

All this week you can find my travels at Venti Adventures

I returned a little bit ago from the post office, handing over a good amount of money for the rest of my possessions to be shipped to my new home (that’s your warning, Brian).The one box that was marked “shoes” had an old address on it and the mail lady asked if this box was going to Temecula or McLeansville. I thought out loud how not so good it would be if my shoes ended up in Temecula. She then asked me if I wanted it to go priority instead of parcel post, she understood my concern.

I’ve been online changing my mailing address with all those lovely bill companies who usually want my money about once a month. Tossed a dark load in the dryer and now a light load in the washer. The dark load is mostly work clothes, which I don’t have to wear again until the 20th (yippee!). Though I did have to locate my hat which I haven’t worn in over a year, but my new store requires them (boo). I packed Rosita and Rosetta (my suitcases) full of my other shoes and clothes that are not in the mail. My mom and I set up Carla’s room (my brother’s partially moved out room) complete with my very comfy air bed. Oreo is very happy about the new set up, which he expressed by rolling all over the clean sheets.

Now, I’m need to call to change my car insurance (its gonna be lower, whoo hoo!) and then get ready with little last minute stuff before hanging out with Hayley and then going to pick up Carla.
I’m excited, which is nice change to my sad-stressful days earlier this week. Only on the edge of tears when sad songs come on. so I will try to avoid those to keep the good mood Alisa around.

Yesterday was very dark day here. No really, it was overcast and on the verge of raining at any moment (but it didn’t till the night). I think the weather messed with people because all my customers, even the regulars, where in a mood. I was no better, feeling like I never even woke up, despite the 8:30am wake up. When I got off work I called Jace, to take our not so nice conversation earlier that day, due to my mood. In going through trying to process why I was feeling this way with him, I started crying. Talking through what I way feeling my main thought was I am stressed, which I’ve been told is understandable. Fine, but the next question is what am I stressed about? My packing is pretty much done (really, all I have are important papers, bathroom stuff and clothes, rest is packed and index card) . My plans are nicely typed up with maps and confirmations in a according style file folder. I think my problem is I can not pin point how to help solve this feeling. Then I thought, I’m sad. I haven’t really let that feeling enter my mind because I don’t want to be sad. I want to be excited for my new life in North Carolina. But I guess that cant really happen till I deal with leaving here first. Seems pretty logical, which I like, but I don’t really want to deal with those sad feelings. With the weather still over cast and grey, maybe its some sort of a sign to start here before heading there.

Yep, I’m officially a coffee master sporting that stylish black apron. My meeting with my DM was at 7am this morning, so I apologize for the very sleep eyes I have in this photo. Black is the new green.

If you havnt been by my flickr page lately there are lots of new photos. Enjoy.