Hot, Hot, Hot!

I think I'm going to love this weather. It got up to 29C today. Even the locals were complaining. I didn't think it was too bad but I had a lot to drink. There was a bit of a breeze but mainly the air was hot and humid. Yesterday I took in a free play downtown in the park. The local Shakespeare troop puts on plays all summer and was doing Pericles, Prince of Tyre (it had nothing to do with Michelin). It was good but didn't have the local spirit that the actors from Shakespeare by the Sea in Halifax have. I did enjoy it and will likely go again. I think Jane and Isabelle would like it (there were lots of families there). The interesting thing about the Greenville's open air public events is that you can bring your own wine or drinks. All you need to do is buy a bracelet at the door for $1 and you're good to go. It's really quit neat and not necessarily what you'd expect in the South. The Jockey Lot today was interesting. Think of the largest yard sale you've ever been to and then think of it five to ten times as big. There lots of tools (big, small, used , and new), clothing, household products, belts and leather, coins (no stamps), guns, animals, and the usual junk. The canteens were busy but selling traditional stuff like corn dogs, chili dogs, boiled peanuts, and burgers. I had a snack and brought some peanuts home for later. I didn't buy anything but there were some deals to be had. (I don't know that I can take my dad there-it might get expensive!) The rest of day was taking care of business. A trip to the grocery store and getting the Internet, TV, and phone set-up for the new house. It only took about an hour of standing at the kiosk but I think I have it sorted out. The groceries here all have self check-out, which makes buying alcohol interesting. I also signed up for a BiLo Bonus Card. It's amazing the savings if you sign-up for one of these little things. I have one for Jane when she arrives. Tonight I think I might go see a movie. It's not something I do much unless I'm by myself. I've heard good things and bad about the new Indiana Jones movie (The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) but I think I'll take a chance on it. I'm a big fan. As for Sunday's activities I haven't decided yet. I may head north to the mountains towards Asheville. There are a few outdoor stores up that way that I want to see. Who knows where I'll end up?

Updated:

Here is a picture of the amphitheatre where the play took place.

Back In the South

I'm back in Greenville. Got here yesterday and had a brief lesson in American bureaucracy. It turns out the customs and immigration people in Halifax didn't process my paperwork correctly when I arrived the first time. That didn't stop me from coming in but it slows down a few thing here. I tried to apply for my Social Security Number and found out that it would take at least 4 weeks. (It was supposed to happen very quickly once I had been here for 2 weeks and the paperwork had caught up to me.) Anyway after going to the Social Security Center yesterday, an Immigration Office and a Border Control and Customs office today, I will have to go back to see where things stand next Friday. All of this so I can pay taxes and get a driver's licence. I hope it goes better for Jane and Isabelle in Portland. Today was the big move day in Kentville. Jane was back and forth to me a few times but in the end it looks like everything is on the truck and ready to go. I need to work out the details here for unloading and unpacking but hopefully is will all happen smoothly. I'm relieved and sad to say goodbye to the house in Kentville. I have many good memories from there. This weekend should be quiet for me. I hope to go to the Jockey Lot. It's a huge flea market/farmer's market here in the Upstate. I'm going just to have a look around but you never know what you'll find in a place like this. We do need a little furniture for the new house so I will be keeping my eyes open. Otherwise the apartment was essentially the way I left it. I did do some groceries yesterday and need to get a new cell phone. We also haven't decided on a regular phone provider for the house. Everything is quite different here. Hopefully the head cold I brought with me will pass. I need a few good nights of sleep to get over it because next week will be busy. I have a week in our plant in Spartanburg, I sign the lease and inspect the new place on Friday, and then have the weekend to settle into the new house. I promise pictures once I've moved in.

Moving Daze

The movers were here yesterday and today. They are very good a what they do and managed to pack all of the loose stuff (pots, clothes, books, etc...) in about one and a half days. The next step is to get it all into a truck with the furniture. The load day was to be Wednesday but is now Thursday since the truck was delayed in Ontario somewhere. That means we are short on time for cleaning before the close date so we negotiated that the movers would provide the cleaning-good negotiations on my part (with some coaching from Peter). Otherwise life goes on. Maggie has been at the kennel for the last few days and is not happy about the move. She whined quite a bit yesterday when she got home and saw that things were not as she left them. Isabelle on the other hand is looking forward to a big adventure. She had to check that all her things were packed (toys, books, etc...) yesterday and was duly impressed. (WOW is the word she used. Her eyes were as big a saucers.) I think she is starting to realize how big a deal this move is. She is still going to Apple Tree Landing every day and has activities just about every night. That makes it easier to entertain her without tying us down. Tonight the family will spend a night in Wolfville and I am off to Halifax for my flight in the morning. In some ways it will be nice to get back to normal but I think I'm going to miss the girls, again. The plan for now is that Jane, Isabelle, Maggie and Taryn will be in Saulnierville on the weekend of the 7th, and cross into the US on the Cat to arrive sometime middle of the week. As for me I have two weeks in my temporary apartment and then I move into the new house when the movers arrive. In the meantime if you want to get a hold of us try our email or put a comment on the blog.

A Long Week

I've been home in Kentville for over a week and been very busy. There has been a lot of family time and some serious work, both Michelin and presonal. I spent the week in the plant here in Waterville as a visitor. That was interesting. I had to be the heavy on a few issues but generally had a productive week seeing things from a different perspective. I also spent a day seeing soem people before I left and learning about some of the areas I'll be responsible for in the new job. I think I'm going to like it. Other than work there has been lots of entertaining and visiting going on. We've had a few great meals out (thank you! you know who you are) and some fun times here at home with Isabelle's friends and their parents. Both sets of grandparents were also in to visit before we move out of the house. At home we've been very busily packing, cleaning, sorting, and planning for the big move! I have to be ready to return to South Carolina on Wednesday, Jane has to be ready to entertain Isabelle and Maggie for a couple of weeks until they drive down. Both sides of the family have been very helpful in supporting us through this. We appreciate it very much. The movers show up tomorrow and are expected to take a few days to get everything ready and into the truck. From there the "stuff" will head south where I'll be waiting for it at the new house. I hope it all goes as planned but we are prepared for a few bumps along the way. It certainly has been an interesting ride so far.

Back Home

I'm back in the Valley and happy to be home. The strange thing is that I haven't slept very well since I've been here. Maybe I miss the airplanes flying out of Greenville airport at all hours of the night, maybe it's the lack of humidity, or maybe I'm just worried about the big move. Things are going well here. I spent a day in the old plant in Waterville today as a visitor. My training is coming along well. Tomorrow we'll be on the floor which should be quite interesting. I'm here with two colleagues which also makes the trip more bearable. I'm seeing things from a different perspective now that I work for the central team. At home we are in the final preparations for the big move. The last of the clean-up should take place this weekend. There is some stuff we need to drop off to some friend's house's and other things that will go to Saulnierville or Halifax. We also have a bit of stuff to throw out. Jane's big issue is packing up for a week of living out of a suitcase between Tower Road in Halifax and Wolfville. She also has to have stuff for the big road trip with Taryn when they drive down to sunny South Carolina. The plan is for her to take the ferry in Yarmouth to Portland ME. That should take a day's driving off of the trip. It also gives Isabelle a chance to see her Grandmere and Pappi one more time and run around on the ferry during the trip. In some ways I'm sorry I'm going to miss it, on the otter hand a long road trip would likely take a few days to recover from, days I can't afford right now. Tonight I told Isabelle she might get her own bathroom in the new house. She was very taken by the whole idea. She wanted to know if there would be a bathtub and sink too! She also asked if the whole thing would be big or small. We told her it would be like it is here but that she would need to help keep it clean. She's pretty excited. I can't wait to get settled and have the move behind us I also know I'm going to miss the old place here on Belcher Street (and the neighborhood).