Saturday, March 14, 2009

The End of The First Week

It's Saturday night, we're home from church, and I'm trying to figure out what to say to give you a glimpse into our first week here. It has been much harder than I thought it would be and the adjustments are many. The dryer in the apartment isn't drying, the wireless connection for the internet isn't wirelessing (a new word I just invented), and we've confused three field technicians and two phone technicians from Comcast who can't figure out why. Yes, I realize these things are not necessities in the grand scheme of life, but for an emotionally fragile menopausal middle-aged female who has lived in the same county since she was 5 years old until last week, they feel very important.

Of course, it's been awesome for Hamp and I to be under the same roof for longer than a couple of days again. I've been wanting to downsize for a while and this move gave us a reason to do so. I'll get some pictures up soon for you to see the apartment and some of the creative storing solutions we've come up with. I try not to think about the fact that we have an entire basement full of stuff still in the house since there is no more room here.

Kit has done very well, with her only complaint being that she can no longer go outside. She protests loudly at times about that, but for the most part, she's been content to look out the window and catch up on her lost sleep.







We live at the end of a section of downtown Baltimore called Fells Point. I feel completely safe walking around the area and that has been good for not only my soul, but also my legs! God was very meciful to me and provided warmer weather the first few days I was here and so I was able to explore the harbor area where we live a little.





This is our apartment building looking from a bench that is on the other side of the inlet near our parking lot.



When the wind is blowing, the ropes for the sails crash up against the masts of the boats and they sound like giant wind chimes. It's a really cool sound and you can hear it inside our apartment. I happened to be walking and heard it and tried to take a picture of the cause of the chiming.



One night as we were coming home, the moon was full and it was shining over the water near our building.



It's beautiful here in a lot of ways, yet a very different way of living life for us. We've had dinner in the Irish pub down the street at a table that overlooked the harbor, we walked to our small group on Tuesday evening and watched a rat run down the street on our way home, and went to church tonight in a different Irish pub that lets us use their upper room to meet. I've checked out some of the shops in Fells Point that are right down the street, gone to the grocery store by myself and to the mall area with the help of the GPS. I've unpacked, sorted, stored, thrown away, given away, laughed a little, cried more than a little, and even cooked dinner three nights! If what doesn't kill you really does make you stronger, then I will have some amazing stories to tell!

For now, we're taking it about half a day at a time and getting ready for our first visitors. Karen and Bob arrive tomorrow evening for a short visit. While it's not ideal because Hamp has to work, it was the only time they had between our two schedules before Nathan gets married. I personally think God knew I needed a hug from home. More to come soon and while you wait, keep praying for us. There is still much more ahead in this tale we've fallen into and we can't do it alone! We love and miss you all!

9 comments:

Glenda said...

Hello dear friend~I came to the computer before going back to bed specifically to see if there was more news from you in Baltimore. You are always close to my heart. I loved seeing your photos and hearing your heart. I pray the visit of Bob and Karen will bring some cheer and refreshment to your heart. I wish I had known Karen was going up as I would have asked her to give you a BIG hug from me while there! Maybe you can tell her for me? :) I love you sweet friend...always! Hugs,Glenda

Glenda said...

By the way, I can't imagine living in the same county since the age of 5 so no wonder this move has taken some major adjustments in your heart!
After reading that in your blog, I must say, I found myself being extra proud of my very brave friend!

Hugs,Glenda

Anonymous said...

Praying for you....and your internet! Thought you're right, it is not a necessity, It's still one of the only portals you have with us folks back in the ATL :)

Awesome to hear you guys have a church that you're checking out as well as a small group.

Love and miss you guys!!!

Anonymous said...

Meant to tag the previous post.....

Love Ron

tawn said...

Jill, You are such an amazingly strong woman. Through all the changes that have come in your life in the past several years, you still look at things with such a positive attitude, which in turn strengthens others. I don't know that I could make the move that you have made - I have lived in this county since I was 5 mos. old!

You are missed so much.
Love to you and Hamp.

Anonymous said...

My favorite part was the walking home in the moonlight and seeing the rat part. :) You are having an adventure and you are going to intentionally plug right into it and your new home setting! Keep watching for where God wants you to hang out and serve. You will need that when you run out of boxes and stuff to organize! Love you and miss you.

Debbie W

Anonymous said...

Love reading your posts. Also would have loved to see you before you left, but I figured you had enough to do and I can keep in touch this way. Your pictures of the boats look so beautiful--I can't imagine living that close to the sea.

I remember before we moved down here a friend said to me that I would bloom where ever I was planted and that has happened. It will happen to you too. You will be amazed at the people you meet and the things you do that you never would have had the chance if you hadn't moved. And I will say for me, it didn't take very long. So get ready! You are going to love it there!

Love, Jill

Janet said...

I love you & miss you & can't wait to see what God has in store for you and Hamp in the coming months. When you get back to Ga. I'm thinking YARD SALE!

Anonymous said...

I hope you put the rubber sheets on the bed that bob used