Here we are in Patterson, Ca....74 miles away from the city that we "used to" live in. 2226 miles (and 7 weeks) away from our new city, Murfreesboro.

Yesterday was all about errands and the "last lasts" - we were constantly saying, "well, that's the last shower I will have in Concord" or "that's our last trip to Trader Joe's" or "that's the last time we'll have Chinatown Cafe". We had such favor with our errands - I didn't quite know how we would get through them all, but everything went so smoothly. Front parking spots, no lines at the stores, etc., etc. It was a perfectly executed errand day :)

A few items of significance....the handing over of the keys. We met John, our realtor, at the house around 11am. The house was all clean and empty - it was so strange. We handed over the keys and did some chit chatting, then piled in the jam-packed car and rode off into the sunset. The last time we will ever pull out of the garage.... Now, as we speak, the house is being fumigated.

Also of great significance to us was saying goodbye to more very special people. First stop, Bob & Eva D. We got to visit with them for a few minutes and then they prayed for us....hugs and tears with some laughter mixed in.....they are special people in our lives that have seen us through alot (and vice versa). We will miss you guys!

Another tough goodbye was waiting for us up in the hills of Oakland. It was a bittersweet visit w/ Kathryn B. (aka "Queso") because we FINALLY got to meet her Mom, (aka "MABS"). And it's true - she is as cute as a bugs ear, and then some! We had a great visit - lots of laughs as usual. Saying goodbye to KB was hard because we've become closer over the last 6 months or so....and, I could have just stolen her Mom right then and there. I'm bummed that I can't stay and get to know Mabs more too. More hugs, more tears....yaddah, yaddah, yaddah....you know the drill.

After our ride down the hill, we were OFFICIALLY on our road trip. It was really funny because all day long were were in the car it seemed stopping off and doing all these errands. Every time we got back in the car Abby would ask, "are on our road trip yet?" The whole time, Abby never even touched her "activity" basket that holds all the fun goodies that we've collected for the road trip. I thought that was interesting that she wasn't diving in trying to find something to do. However, when we left KB's house, she asked us, "are we on our road trip now?" We answered yes and she immediately started grabbing stuff out of the basket to do!

I wish I had something more profound to say about our "last last" (which was driving away from the Bay Area for the last time as residents). But, it was quite uneventful to tell you the truth. I think the reason for that is because the physical place is not what has our hearts - it's the people.

We arrived in Patterson sometime around 7:30pm and were greeted by the usual barrage of Mom & Pop hugs and excitement. We are looking forward to a week of chillaxin' and hanging out with family.

Stay tuned!
love,
k