In so very many ways. We are two weeks into our residence in South Carolina. We have spent almost all our time unpacking and arranging things. We still have to get window treatments on many of the windows, but the unboxing is done, things are put away (it’s kind of staggering how much room we have for most everything). Storage is an issue without a basement or an attic, however my incredible son bought, carted home and in 300 degree heat put together a shelving unit for the garage that seems to be more than adequate for storage so there’s that.

We are getting used to finding our way around (don’t know how folks did it without GPS) and the slower pace and far, far, far less traffic. Nothing is walking distance, nothing is “close” but it’s all a very pleasant drive and nothing is “far”.

We had a full acre in CT and a good deal of separation between homes, here we have .16 acre and could pour a glass of wine for a neighbor (when we finally get some) without leaving the chair [a small exaggeration but not too far from true]. Folks are incredibly friendly and helpful across the board, not that it wasn’t true back “home” but for a couple of strangers it really feels good.

This was a post I saw a few days ago…this is a trail that we walk Abbey THE dog on just about every day, talk about a whole new world…not something you see in CT or NY (also lots of different kinds of snakes though thankfully, so far none of those seen, nor, truth be told did we see or encounter the gator. but the reality is this is their home and we are invaders….will have to get used to it…

One of the staggering things is how very many CT expats are here in this particular area. When I posted on the site that the gator post was on about “safe” places to run and walk the dog, I was completely surprised by how many CT folks responded (former CT folks) and from the “small world” file, not only random former CT folks but one who is from Greenwich and is the sister of a person who I knew and whose son I taught while at GHS. Another is the mom of a former student at the last place I taught who is still in CT but has a place up the road from us and is planning to be here full time when her son finishes HS this year. There are so many of “us” here that we should probably form our own little community 🙂

Tomorrow for the very first time in our stay we are actually going to explore and do some fun things….We were told back in mid July that moving will feel like your head is being held underwater for two weeks….well that time is about right….the waves have subsided and we can now take some much needed breaths…