We had a lovely two weeks at Piedmont with some of Robert's lovely young people and teachers. Then we returned and awaited the arrival of Abby (our first niece - Roberts brother Josh's baby). She arrived early on Monday morning before we drove down to Florida and had a week of working, sitting out storms and for me getting to know Roberts dad and youngest brother better.
We returned to Georgia and waved DJ off to College/Missions school in Nashville, TN. All the while seeing Abby, family and friends. So week 4 stated with a rest, and then travelling to Auburn, Alabama to find an apartment or house to rent. We moved in, papers signed and delivered on Friday (a week ago). It's so nice to be in our own space.
So here we are, fully internet'ed up and set up mostly apartment-wise. We are working our way through the local eateries as well as finally being able to cook and eat what we want when we want (late night chocolate and cheesy bread). We have made our bed and are delighted to lie in it and have lie-ins without worrying that we are missing someone who is visiting. Bed hopping for 4 weeks makes me tired and achy. But I have loved seeing all the different people and places.
For those of you who don't know, Auburn is a University town, and an American football one at that. Saturdays during football season and home games see an extra 100,000 added to a town of 50,000 or so. We are very close to everything, big shops like Wal-Mart, Sears and McDonalds and then little shops too. We have some good local restaurants, bbq, burgers, chinese, sandwich places. We'll be here for 2 years so I'm sure we'll discover our favourite soon.
I have plenty of things to say about America and my experience so far, the first is the people are great. I have only really dealt with nice people. Sometimes they don't understand me and think that I'm some sort of alien. I've had some very funny looks. Secondly the inability of others to drive is universal. Thirdly, though I am not at what I still regard to be home, I am 'home'. I've got myself confused a couple of times, referring to America as England. I guess I've just got used to being in England. I'm learning a different way to speak and attitude to have. It's all pretty good fun.
Robert and I at Panama City Beach, FL
Abby Kathleen Litton
View from our apartment
The truck Robert drove with our stuff in that was about a third full, for very cheap!
