Snow, snow, snow!!! SNOW!! Every morning, there is a fresh coat on the ground here in Saginaw, Michigan. John and I are settling into our new apartment and making it more like home every day. We have had a whirlwind past two months with leaving Dominica, moving back to Tennessee, my father's passing, memorial and funeral services in Texas and Tennessee, and packing up and moving to Michigan 3 days ago. My dad's passing was immeasurably difficult and yet sacred at the same time. I will most likely dedicate a post to the experience at a later time, once I have had some space and time to reflect more fully. For now, here is an update to the newest part of our Pitt adventures...

We left Tennessee on December 29th and planned to arrive that afternoon just in time for check-in, by 5:00 pm. our cars were packed to the brim and we also had our new cat, Dixie, in tow. She spent the first half of the trip hiding under the passenger seat, but we soon coaxed her out with her favorite toy and she rode in style the rest of the way. Here are some pictures from the journey.









Right before the Michigan border, the thought occurred to me. "Is Michigan on central or eastern time?" We had planned our entire trip with central time in mind, but soon realized that we were wrong. And the race was on. We didn't have cell phones to call and warn the property manager, so we stopped at a gas station and were prepared to klick it "old style" with the pay phone. But to no avail. The pay phone was broken (for who knows how long). We raced across the highway to a Shell station only to find that there were no pay phones.....a sign that we have officially moved out of a pay phone era (in case you were wondering). Panicked, I knew we were losing every minute, I decided that desperate times called for desperate measures. I went up to a stranger and asked them for their cell phone. I explained our situation in as little words as possible and they offered! I even tried to give him the quarters we would have used otherwise, but he wouldn't take them. genuine kindness is still around, folks. So, we called the office and were told that they would wait until 5:05 pm, but that was it. and the race continued.

5:12 pm: arrive in Saginaw, Michigan at Green Acres Village Apartments. Leasing office is closed, not a soul in sight. they weren't kidding about 5:05. So, i was mad. really mad, actually. But, after a good amount of pouting, we checked into Curry's motel. Nothing short of a motel out of a sketchy movie scene, wood paneled walls, smoke-filled room, and a bedspread that makes you wonder...




Nevertheless, we were thankful to be in from the cold and even little Dixie was glad to be warm (i am assuming). A Wendy's frosty and a baked potato later, we hit our snooze button and drifted off for the night.

The next morning we arrived at the leasing office right when they opened, got our keys, and started unloading! Despite the unwillingness to wait for us to arrive, the management here has been wonderful and we really like our new home. Here are a few preliminary pictures...









More to come from Saginaw, Michigan! Stay tuned...