Deb,
It is about time you got your brain over here.

GRANDPARENTS
Grand, Parents, Rent, Danger, Dents

MAGAZINES

Tina

ORNAMENTAL

Lent, rentsl, amen, natal, ramen

PERAMBULATE

You can ask anything you want. I will answer anything I want.  Lol

Minnesota is, primarily, flat. Because of the rivers and lakes - and the glaciers that caused the rivers and lakes, there are also hills.  What isn't farmland or towns, is wooded. I live in a small city (pop. about 20,000) in the center of the state: north/south, east/west. The Cities (what we call the Twin Cities - Mpls/St Paul metro) are about 130 miles south. The Mississippi runs through town - as a matter of fact, it is just behind our apartment complex - go over it almost every day, by car or walking.  And there is a park on Ol' Man River just a couple of blocks from me. I love driving throughout the county several times each week - have been on most of the county roads - I plot my drives - by fall I will hopefully have been on each at least once. Drive through farms and little towns (some of less than 1,000 pop.). Try NOT to drive on the big highways, as they are boring. I do stop by lakes - and read in the shade. My apt. is just a few steps from the Paul Bunyan Trail, where I go for walks. Short walks - the trail is over 100 miles long.  It is just beautiful here. My apt faces north/west - 3rd floor - I see for miles from my living room. I can see summer and winter storm coming!

Jo

JoJoMn said:

PERAMBULATE

PERM, LATER, RELATE, LATE, BLUR

DEFORMATION

Jo, the area where you are sounds lovely-I lived in St. Louis for years and the mighty Mississippi ran through town of course and I always enjoyed it.  I should go on more drives.  I am hoping to move to the mountains in Asheville, NC and that should be fun driving!

Hugs,

Rhonda

DEFORMATION

Form, fame, frame, farmed, deform

AMPHITHEATER

Agree, Rhonda. The best part is the people - was welcomed from the first day. Church, apartment complex, stores - everywhere. Hard to believe I have lived here less than 3 years. And practically everyone I know do not know my family - who have lived here between 5 and 20 years. Am constantly greeted by friends and acquaintances.  But then, I am also very active. Volunteer. Attend events. Go out no less than 3-4 times each week. And I will talk to anyone anywhere anytime.  The weather is not great in winter - but very seldom is it so bad that it prevents going anywhere. (Having a car remote starter is a plus.) Streets are wide - clean - well maintained. Bus service door-to-door. A very active Senior Center. Snow is removed promptly. Police station close by. Great healthcare facilities.  Nothing is missing here. Plus I can afford it on my limited income! Am very happy here. Plus my sister lives on the same floor I do!

May I ask, why are you moving?  Family?  Health? 

Jo

JoJoMn said:

AMPHITHEATER

THEATER, THREAT, METER, THEM, TERM

MALADJUSTMENT

Jo, I have wanted to move away from MA for a long time-I have only lived here 8 years and my husband and I planned to move when he moved on job wise.  Then he died quickly and unexpectantly a year ago, and I had to face the winter and towering and unprecedented snows on my own-I vowed never again.  I despise snow and I live in the wrong state for that.  I don't mind the cold, but I really hate snow and the 2 feet, 3 feet storms where I am housebound for days.  That makes me feel helpless and depressed.  Also, I have family in the south in SC and my mother's entire family was from NC and SC.  I am a freelance writer and I can write anywhere-so I hope to move to a warmer climate.  And that is my plan in a nutshell.

Hugs,

Rhonda

MALADJUSTMENT

Adjust, mental, jest, salad, test

PROFLIGATE

Rhonda, I understand your situation. We all have our own limitations and preferences. For me, this is heavenly. But, we do have quite a few snowbirds leave here in October to go south. And if you will have family nearby,  that is so important. Transitions like these can be very stressful and it is good to have help in resettling. Good to hear you have taken time after your husband's death before making this important change.  Thinking it through deliberately is critical. Lots of details to consider. Have you found your new home yet? When moving it is good to be on the ground, so to speak, before any major commitment.

Keep us informed of your progress. Best to you. 

Jo

JoJoMn said:

PROFLIGATE

GATE, FATE, RATE, LIAR, PLOT

CLIFFHANGER

Jo: I have my eye on a cute 2 bedroom house in Asheville that I hope to get (I have done all the paperwork) .. cross your fingers for me that I get it!  And although I do have family in the south, they are in SC and I am going to NC, so the move will be up to me.  It will be a challenge, but doable and it is just me and my pooch.  Wish me luck!!!

Did you go for that drive today?

Hugs,

Rhonda 

CLIFFHANGER

Lifer, change, fringe, cringe, fan

PSYCHOPATHOLGY

Rhonda, I took a nap instead.  Got sleepy after my shower and considering I had not slept well this week, I took it. Feel rested.

Am listening to Prairie Home Companion on Public Radio. Fixing dinner. Also am rereading Scripture for Mass tomorrow morning - am Lector.

I moved from Jacksonville FL to Newport RI. Just me.  Was a lot more work than I expected.  And shipping - should have just  gotten everything new: cost more than if I had replaced furniture, kitchen stuff.  Renting a truck or shipping line is similar cost for long distance. Bought all my furniture when I came here 3 years ago. Same for a lot of the kitchen stuff.  Lot cheaper and easier.

Are you renting or buying?  Driving yourself or have help for that part? Good time for getting rid of stuff we have just to have. My motto: simplify to relax. Having a lot of things occupies mental space. 

When is the planned shift???

Best to you. LISTS - LISTS!!!!!

Jo

JoJoMn said:

PSYCHOPATHOLGY

PATHOLGY, PSYCHO, CHOP, HOLY, SOLO

GENTLEMANLY

Hi Jo, I plan on moving towards the end of October.  You are probably right about buying all new things-but I am going to do as you suggested and PURGE before I move-just keep the essentials and move with that.  I am renting-maybe I will buy in a few years.  I know this move will be hard, I am going to have to think of how I feel when I am trapped behind a solid 4 ft. wall of snow and housebound for a week and grit my teeth and get through it.  I have moved many times in my life and have no illusions there. I plan to spend the extra money and have the house packed and unpacked-save some stress on me and it is worth the extra money.  I will drive there probably after the moving van has left with my dog and we take our time-drive only 6-maybe 7 hours a day.  I will plan it in advance and make reservations at pet friendly hotels.

Hugs,

Rhonda

GENTLEMANLY

Mean, mantle, gently, neatly, meaty

GRIEVANCE

Rhonda, that plan sounds doable. Do you have a cleaning woman? I found that mine in FL was worth it to help with purging and some of the packing. And keeping my place liveable until the actual move. The shipping company charged a lot for that service, so I only used them for part of it.

Jo