last minute visit.

...but before we could move into our exciting new residence, we had to get through those last two weeks in Gainesville.

We managed to get home and in bed before midnight that Monday. We were completely exhausted, physically, mentally, emotionally.... and now add on the stress of needing to be ready to MOVE. Neither one of us slept much, as we kept waking up to my brain figuring packing strategies and Tommy's planning moving vehicle options...

Honestly. The best part. Was. The two week notice!!! I could not wait. I have mentioned my job in the post "oh, may!" It became exhausting and frustrating. If you'd like to learn more, I'll be glad to share off the internet. I don't care to dampen the mood of this blog with frustrations that are behind me.... and if certain people somehow found my blog, I wouldn't want their feelings to be hurt....

So Tuesday through Friday was spent buying boxes and bubble wrap, packing, packing, reserving a moving truck, telling our friends we were leaving, packing, and cleaning!

Why "cleaning" during the packing? Because Tommy's entire family, minus one brother, was coming to visit that weekend! It was a long, long drive for them to come and spend their Memorial Day weekend in the hot Florida weather and with their two long lost family members, but they did it! Poor Tommy's mom- she helped us move in, and then was surrounded again by boxes when we were moving out.

Let's count. We had Tommy's two parents, his youngest brother, his sister and her husband, and their six month old, and us. That's seven adults and a baby. We had a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment. And a little loft where we ended up sleeping. Because of the tight quarters, we spent most of the time out and about!

We took them to the Gator stadium, because the girls were out numbered by the boys. I think they liked it though- most stadiums aren't open all the time so you can explore when there's no game. We then took them to one of our most favorite restaurants in the city- Dragonfly! It's like a modern/loud/busy sushi or "Asian fusion" place. We ordered lots of crazy sushi things and stuffed ourselves while we caught up on each other's recent lives. I got to sit next to Tommy's youngest brother, and tried to bug him by asking lots of questions about his new-ish girlfriend. After dinner, we went home and played Catch Phrase- girls vs boys- and I'd like to think that in spite of having one less person, the girls won.... but I honestly can't remember. So. Think what you will.

In case you were wondering how we all fit, we were magically prepared. Tommy and I slept in the little loft on the futon, Tommy's youngest brother slept on the couch, Tommy's sister and husband slept on the blowup mattress next to him, and the parents slept in our bedroom with the baby- so they could have grandparent time when she woke up and the rest of us would be able to sleep. Everyone wins, see??

The next day we took them to the pool- we thought about making the hike to the beach, but since it was an hour and a half drive one way, and they had already driven 10 hours the day before, that idea was canned. Besides, the pool is pretty nice! And wasn't too crowded! It was also the baby's first time in the water- so cute.

That day, the boys decided that they would find a batting cage and make the youngest brother practice in front of them..... can you tell I didn't understand the appeal?? Tommy's mom, sis, and I went around to different stores to get one of those small strollers... the big one wouldn't fit in the one vehicle they brought down! We finally found one and met them at the park, just as they were finishing, of course.

I'm assuming we ate lunch sometime.... this is the problem with being so far behind on a dumb blog!!

But, I DO remember that me and the girls + baby in new small stroller, we went to the butterfly exhibit at the university's museum! I had gone twice already (once with Tommy, another time with my parents) so I wasn't too too excited. But this time they had tons of different ones! I guess later in the season different types hatch or they get different shipments of cocooned butterflies...? So I thoroughly enjoyed showing my guests around. And when I was holding baby, one landed on her head and just chilled there for awhile! But of course this was right when the museum lady was talking and I couldn't get the attention of Tommy's mom who had the camera. Ahhh such a shot missed.

That night, we took the family to a local treasure- Satchel's Pizza. It's like..... a shack that got built on through the years with scraps of other houses and cars.... but still cute and fun. It and the shop attached to it are decorated with artsy nicknack's and also- junk! A giant water fountain, a garden path, and huge decorations were made out of everything old you can think of- paint cans, lighters, type writers, toy dinosaurs and Nintendos... They also serve really good pizza! We crowded into the "Elvis" table on the make-shift patio, and enjoyed the cooling fans and fresh food.

The next day was church, and then they helped us pack up kitchen and breakable stuff- yes, we put our guests to work. Then back to the pool for a cookout and chillin'- a picturesque way to end the weekend.

And we didn't have time to stress about moving details at all :)