SIX RANDOM THINGS...

Some days, the idea of settling down at our next base still feels so far away. Monday was one of those days; we struggled a bit. A few weeks ago, we got to submit our application for base housing. I was excited because it felt like we were finally getting somewhere; it seemed like we were one step closer to being reunited with our household goods. Woo Hoo! Then factors like Mother Nature get in the way and Flyboy's schedule is delayed a tad. It's like we're taking two steps forward and one step back. When the weather's wonky, he doesn't fly. It makes complete sense, but we're both ready to be done with this phase of training. He's ready to knock out his last block of flights, and I'm eager to get the hell out of Dodge and make our next place home. Because FB doesn't have a solid finish date, it's hard for both of us to focus on the prize. All the uncertainty makes it feel like we're just flailing about without any real plan. If you're new around here, that's enough to throw Type-A(shley) into a tizzy. I'm learning to be more patient, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little overwhelmed by the LACK of details. What can I say, I'm a work in progress. Whenever I DO feel this way, I try to shift my outlook and focus on the positive—details I can look forward to and variables I can control. In this case, I thought about six items I can't wait to unpack in late March. Of course, I'm excited about the basics like our über comfy couch and mattress, but I came up with a handful of random "things" that make me happy. Whenever the time comes and the moving truck arrives in Swell Rio for delivery, it's going to feel like Christmas! Cardboard and packing tape never sounded so good.

SIX RANDOM THINGS I CAN'T WAIT TO UNPACK: 

• EAMES ROCKER // For my 25th birthday, my mom and dad gave me an authentic Eames Rocker—I like to call it my "Prayer Chair" (read more here). No matter where we move, it's where I can sit to find peace and relax. As silly as it sounds, the deep seat pocket feels like a hug from my parents, and that always makes me feel at home.

• BLAIR RITCHEY LULU // I'm almost embarrassed to share this with you, but I don't currently have possession of my trusty Lulu Clutch. I know, the chartreuse color is perfection and I use it ALL the time. Let me explain. I was using it when the Hawaiian movers were packing our stuff up. I had it laying out on the kitchen counter, but they must have taken my Washi tape system a little too seriously because I failed to put a hot pink piece of tape on my clutch to indicate it should NOT be packed. I remember taking it with me to get pizza the first night of our pack out; I didn't want to bother with a bulky purse. Anywho, I had it laying out on day two because it held my hand cream, migraine meds, and lip gloss. I didn't realize this until AFTER I had a situation with the lead packer—I asked him to kindly wrap our bar cart separate from the rusty laundry drying rack. I heard a loud noise and saw what they were doing. I explained that they could not be stored together for the next six months because I was afraid the rust might spread. I didn't think it was too much to ask, but I later heard the gentleman whisper something under his breath. I wasn't sure if he said "rich" or if he said something that rhymes with rich and starts with a "b" instead. Ha Ha! Long story long, I didn't want to be an inconvenience, and I didn't have the nerve to ask about my Lulu's whereabouts. I should have had it stowed away with our luggage. I imagine I'll find it in a box with kitchen knick-knacks (sigh), complete with a Starbucks receipt and a Boston's Pizza punch card.

• "CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD" PRINT BY HELEN FRANKENTHALER // This was also a gift from my parents, and my heart skips a beat every time I see it. The bright colors are enough to fuel my creativity and optimism. If every day I feel as joyful as this painting looks, then I've fulfilled my duty to live color fully. I think that's an easy goal to strive toward. 

• BIG-SHOT DOT SKIRT // This skirt makes me feel like I can conquer anything. It's just SO happy, and I feel invincible when I wear it. It may be a little dressy for the Tractor Supply, but I know it's going to be ready to twirl around the Rio.

• KITCHENAID STAND MIXER // When I have time on my hands, I like to bake. It's just so relaxing and fun to try out different recipes. Can you imagine what a problem we'd have on our hands if I had access to Chick-Fil-A and my stand mixer?

• SPIN BIKE // It's my preferred way to workout, and I'm counting the days until I get to clip into the pedals, listen to inappropriate music, and sweat a little. Aside from blogging and baking, it's the best stress reliever.

I realize all of these things are just "things", but many of them represent memories and bring me delight. Could I do without them? Of course. Do they have the ability to make any sparse base housing unit feel like home? Yes, and that's why I'm excited for our impending reunion. When your home isn't any one location, it's your stuff that gives you a sense of ownership and belonging.

Hawaii to Texas

Our last morning in Hawaii was perfect. We ate Mac Nut Pancakes and went to our favorite beach.

The morning started out a little cloudy, but the sun joined us for one last rendezvous. Classic Windward side!

We dropped off our postcard and said "A Hui Hou" to the islands.

Flyboy's moving blues. His cuteness masked his PCS sadness.

A new glossy and fun flats to ease the pain of leaving.

The new Jettawagen. I like to call it my "rig" because she's a diesel. Seems legit, am I right?

We managed to cram everything into the wagon and began our journey to Texas. Beesly looks terribly comfortable!

It rained the ENTIRE trip from Missouri to Texas. I was wishing I had my wellies with me!

Trips to Target and IKEA made our credit card work overtime.

Making this temporary apartment feel like a home by welcoming a Fiddle Leaf Fig into the mix. I call him Big Tex.

Now we have a reason to send cute moving announcements!

I woke up Sunday morning, and I think it finally hit me — we're not going back to Lil' Puna. I cried just a little bit. Okay, a lot. I'd seen our beloved rental empty and weeks had passed since we left Oahu, but Sundays together were always spent at the beach. It was "our" time to do nothing and just be. It was the one place we could both go together and just shut off our brains for awhile. I looked outside our apartment and saw nothing but a parking lot full of cars and heard the sound of a nearby train. Gah, I hate the sound of that stinking train! Our time in Missouri felt like a vacation and the first few days in Texas were a blur. We were making lists, unpacking our suitcases, running to Target, etc. In terms of accessories and stationery, I was set, but if you asked me for a roll of toilet paper, I couldn't help you! We literally needed all the essentials, and I guess a set of glitter and calf-hair flats aren't necessarily paramount, but to my credit they certainly come in handy. It was nice to keep busy, but I hadn't yet faced our new reality. It was finally time to create the new routine (hate new, love routine) I'd been envisioning for months. Later that evening after a lot of intermittent sniffles, I found myself setting up Monday's blog post on our laptop. It was my first night cooking dinner at our new digs, I was back to blogging, and Bravo TV was blaring in the background. Oh, hello routine, my old friend, you're back! I felt a sense of peace and my eyes lit up at the realization that this current season of our life is different, but it's okay. Post-epiphany, I looked into our bedroom to find Flyboy on the floor with Tripp and Beesly. It all became clear that we were exactly where we are supposed to be right now. Our Sunday Fun Day may no longer be seaside, but maybe "our" time to do nothing and just be will now take place with our dogs on the floor. For the first time in a long time, we get to be together and that's a gift in itself! 

Have you ever felt this way about moving? The highs and lows? Any tips to ease into the new?

P.S. As I penned this Debbie Downer to Pollyanna post, the train went by twice. TWICE. I still hate the train!

What I'm looking forward to...

As our Hawaii chapter comes to a close, everything seems bittersweet. Flyboy and I find ourselves wondering WHY we have to leave. This is laughable because the last 2.5 years haven't been incredibly easy on us. Lately, we've spent a lot of time TOGETHER and he's been home every night for dinner. It's an insanely wonderful change of pace! He hasn't left for any trips and if he flies, it's local missions that last a few hours and he's home at the end of the day. I haven't had to work on the weekends, so we've had two full days to unwind and be TOGETHER. When we get all misty-eyed and wish we could turn back the clock, we have to remind ourselves that this wasn't the norm. While we're incredibly grateful for this time on the island, we know that life here was always the sweetest when we could spend time with each other. When we think about the change that's coming and leaving the routine we've grown to appreciate, it's hard to focus on the good that lies ahead. Over the next few weeks,  it will be crucial to soak up our final moments here and remind ourselves about all the good stuff that will come with the next adventure.

"Choose to see the good stuff."

• Sweater Weather // Now, I realize Texas is still quite toasty, but I know we'll be making plenty of trips to Missouri, Virginia, and Iowa. I plan to get good use out of my coziest cardigans and crew necks. 
• Buh-Bye Time Difference //  The 5 or 6-hour time difference between me and my family has been pesky. I'm looking forward to the day I don't have to do addition before I pick up the phone. I hate numbers!
• Plan Trips // Flyboy's schedule should be a lot more reliable for the next few years. Huzzah! Hopefully, this means we'll (finally) be able to plan a Euro Trip, and see family and friends more often. 
• Walk the Dogs // Our current living situation hasn't been the most conducive to walking our pups. It's been a major bummer, because it was always my favorite time together as a family. We've taken advantage of the hill and we've gotten used to climbing it for exercise, but it's not quite the same. When we go for walks, we have to load Tripp and Beesly into the car and by the time we're situated, they're already exhausted. It's a lot of work and not really worth the effort. I'm excited to make it part of our routine again. I just hope they still know the purpose of a leash!
• Timely Arrival of Magazines // As someone who relishes her monthly periodicals, I can't stand receiving them late. The idea of finding them in my mailbox on time brings me so much delight.
• More Time with Family // This makes me the happiest! When I was looking for a picture to include in today's post, I couldn't find a recent snapshot of me, my sister, and my parents. It's been 1.5 years since that happened, and that's entirely too much time for us to go without being together. Ticket prices to and from Hawaii are hefty, so I'm looking forward to being on the same continent again. That should help! I already know there will be plenty of road trips and shorter flights in our future.
• Unpacking // This is a bit ludicrous because we haven't even packed up our household goods yet. However, we'll be living out of a suitcase for about 5-6 months while Flyboy undergoes training in San Antonio. The idea of not unpacking our stuff until next March blows my mind. I like to feel nested, so this ought to be interesting. Ha Ha! At least I'll be surrounded by my favorite people and fur kids. 
• Marfa, TX // When I get overwhelmed by moving details, I close my eyes and plan our future trip to Marfa. I can't wait to visit the capital of quirkiness. Of course, I'll channel Beyonce and have my photo taken at Prada Marfa. I still need to decide on whether we should stay in a teepee or trailer. Decisions.
• Treasure Hunting // I've missed antiquing. Lucky for me, there's plenty of that in MO and TX.
• Jimmy John's // Freaky fast. Freaky good. We'll, it's been a freakin' long time since I've had a rendezvous with Pepe. That's about to change, and I couldn't be more excited. Yippee!
• Chipotle // Love wrapped in silver foil with a side order of chips and guac. Please and thank you.
• Anthropologie // Stroll through the store and smile at every clever and intricate detail. That's bliss!
• TX Time // All of this "us" time that's occurred lately, well, I love that there's more of that in our future. 

As always, thanks for joining me on this ride, and for giving me a little place to share random thoughts!

IMAGE CREDITS: Sweater // Phone Dock // Planner // Clock // Leash // Magazines // Prada Marfa // Packing Box // Arrow Marquee // Jimmy John's // Chipotle // Anthropologie // Texas Print