Not a Journey South anymore...I'm already here!

I think it is time for a new title for my blog, huh? I am not really on a journey south anymore. Afterall, I've been here almost 4 years. However, I do find that I still stand out like a pickle in a jelly jar... I still get asked where I'm from on a daily basis. My northern accent has not softened any. So my  journey now is more about blending in.

 I need some ideas.  How about, A Good Southern Woman with a Bad Yankee Accent?
Southern Slang with a Twang?   Redneck Mama?

Although, I did say "cut the lights off" to my husband tonight. Maybe I am starting to pick up a little Southern slang.... Naw. That's just plain crazy.

                                                Maddy had no problem going country.

Long time no blog.

So I guess some time has passed since I last blogged. 3 and a half years to be exact. I guess some things got in my way. Like working. So annoying.

No really, I was thinking about my goals in life the other day and contemplating writing a blog about teaching and then I stumbled across this! Can you say convenient?

What have I been doing since June 2009? Let me break it down for you: summered in Michigan, adopted a rescue dog, tried being a stay-at-home mom, that didn't work, got a teaching job, met Chris Daughtry, went to Mexico, summered in Michigan, got new job doing curriculum, went to Mexico, summered in Michigan, went to Mexico, went to Disney, summered in Michigan, son started middle school, and just got back from Florida. Hmmm. Seems to be a pattern here. Te entiendas? I guess you can say I work to travel. Have bag, will travel? Is that the saying?

Anyway, it's good to be back on here. The other day I told my husband I wanted another baby, but after I thought about it for, oh 15 seconds, I think this will be my baby. Or maybe I will get a puppy...or just stick to working out that creative side of my brain, all 5% of it, with words. Good idea, Erin!

I would love to share ideas on here--about teaching, parenting, cooking--are you laughing at that last one? (Ya, I said cooking. Because if I can make something and people don't get sick from it and then actually ask me to make it again, I think it is a recipe worth sharing. And yes, drink recipes count.)

So I hope you stay tuned and hold me to this promise.

Day 5 Disaster

On day 5 of being a North Carolinian, the family was outside preparing for our nightly walk. (We wait until evening to go due to the heat, and we also LOVE mosquitos.) Madelyn couldn't decide if she wanted to go or wanted to stay in the house with Daddy, but at the last minute, she decided to come with us. But, not before trying to beat Michael down the driveway on her bike one last time. You see, our driveway slopes down toward the house, and next to the house in the driveway is where all the cars were parked. Can you see the recipe for disaster yet? Yes, Madelyn plowed right into the back of Carl's van at top speed, breaking her right radius (arm) bone. As soon as she bounced off of the vehicle and I took one look at her arm, I knew we were hospital bound.

Sure enough, there is nothing like starting out the blazing hot, humid summer with a cast on your arm for 4 weeks.

I hope this is not a bad sign...

Getting Ready

In a few days, the rest of the Schmuhl family will be joining Carl in our new home in North Carolina--or North Cackalackey, as the boys like to say. Michael is very excited to be reunited with Dad after 9 months. Madelyn is just excited with life in general! Erin is excited, but nervous to be starting something new and unknown.

I have always wanted to live in the South--love the heat, the mentality, the food, the great places to go--just never thought it would take me so long to get there. Thanks to the auto industry, here we go.

We shouldn't be sad, because, through technology, we can keep in touch with our family and friends on a daily, or even hourly, basis. My friend Christine, aka Stiner, has inspired me to do this blog. Since I am technologically challenged, it won't be near as fabulous as hers, but I will play around with it.

Tune in soon to read about, and maybe even see photos, of our adventures south...