A friend of mine that I hadn't spoke to in years found me on facebook: Holly Pranaat. I didn't recognize the name because she got married. She got married to a guy with the last name Pratt and her maiden name was Gernaat. So I told Casey I was gonna make him change his name to Conkliford for kicks. I like hyphenated names when they're so long that its just funny....if only my girl Heather would have decided to be vanFrankenhuyzen-Abdelmageed. I might love her a little more if that was her name. Maybe for the baby that is now 5 days overdue. I can only hope.
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10. Favorite restaurants that aren't out here (ie: Qdoba and Bennigans).
No more 4 hour drive to get Qdoba. Yum, I want some now.
9. Camping.
Too afraid of the "critters" here: scorpins, trantulas, and rattlesnakes.
8. Meijer.
Best store ever. I will never take it for granted again.
7. Bonfires.
More memorable bonfires to come. And lots of drinking too, I'm sure.
6. Lake Michigan.
My favorite of the Great Lakes. People in Michigan also know what the five Great Lakes are. A coworker said to me a few weeks ago "how do you remember it? Houses?" No!!! HOMES you fool. Houses isn't even five letters.
5. Having all seasons.
Although the Fall is the best of the 4; I can't wait to feel the Michigan Spring and Summer again. And the beautiful snow!
4. Going to MSU sporting events.
For Casey this is farther up the list. I admit I do love going to the basketball games.
3. Seeing green.
Not just all the Spartan fans, but grass and trees! Michigan does have a unique beauty.
2. Wearing sweatpants and hoodies.
Enough said.
1. Being close to family and friends.
I have really enjoyed living in Arizona the last couple years. It's allowed Casey and I to be even closer best friends! We've been able to enjoy a lot of weekends lounging around when we want. Plus we're gotten to do lots of fun traveling: California/Disneyland, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Sedona, San Diego, Hawaii, Mexico, Oklahoma City; we probably wouldn't have gone to any of these places if we were back in the Midwest. I do like the warm weather and sunshine. More independence: a real occupation (and all the bills that come with it), and just "doing my own thing".

I sold my car yesterday. Casey and I have been talking about it for awhile. "My" 1997 Malibu is working okay but needed: new brakes, new rotors, new tires, an oil change, and the gas tank filled up. I knew it would make more sense to sell it instead of doing the repairs and driving it back (since it would be at least $500 in fuel costs). We'll be fine with one car...but after 8 years it feels wierd to be without it. I had lots of good times in that car!

We posted the Malibu for sale on Craig's list expecting it to take a couple months to sell. We had lots of people interested right away and somebody paid our asking price (in cash) on the spot. Positives of selling car: cash to spend on bills/wedding, don't have to drive two vehicles for the 3 day drive back to MI, more space in the garage, and eventually I will get a new car!

It's official. I turned in my formal letter of resignation to work today. But right now I have no job in Michigan either. I have applied to get my nursing license in MI though. Normally people give their 2 week notice; I gave my 2 month notice. As the Clinical Nurse Leader there is only one other person who does my job (and she works the 3-4 days I have off each week); this will give them plenty of time to hire/promote somebody. Now that my bosses are aware of my departure, I need to make plans for the move. Casey and I plan on being around for the December holidays. It will be a white Christmas!