Moving across the country in a jeep

I thought I would compile a list of things I would bring with me if I had to move across the country in a jeep again. Well, it will probably happen so this list will be good to look back on. This is what I would bring if we were moving for a short period.

Kitchen items: Everything on the list should fit in one box so we can call it 'kitchen in a box'

2 pots (one large one small)

cookie sheet

pizza pan

good knife

paring knife

mixing bowl

a measuring cup

small skillet

mixing spoon

pancake flipper thing (what's it called?)

two plates 

two bowls

9x9 or 9x13 pan

small coffee pot

dawn dish soap

green scrubbies

kitchen towel

any spice you use on a regular basis 

Bathroom items:

two sets of towels

hand soap

toiletries

toilet paper

Other items:

Mr. Clean

laundry soap

laundry basket

clothes hangers

backpack

one tub of clothes

alarm clock

bedding

rags for cleaning

I'm sure I'll keep adding to the list. Mostly you want everything in plastic tubs and it to fit snugly in your vehicle. I didn't do a very good job packing to be honest. I brought my bike with me and I didn't know how to pack around it so there was more room in the jeep than it looked like because the bike took up more space than in had to. Lesson learned. And there were things I didn't bring that I wish I had. Like a skillet. I made pancakes this morning in the bottom of a kettle and flipped them with a plastic fork. no. joke. 

Have a happy week!

Yesterday was my first 'real' day here. Levi had class all day and I was left to entertain myself! I went for a run along the beach on the boardwalk, worked on settling into my apartment more, and went and had coffee with an Air Force wife from Alexandria that was down here for her husbands graduation! It was super fun and I was glad to hear she felt the same as I did about many things (water moccasins, bugs, the bx, etc...) it was VERY fun. 

After that I went and bought a shower curtain at the bx all on my own!! Now, for those that don't know what the bx is, it's kinda like walmart. It has everything you would need (except apparently a cheap plastic mixing bowl.... grrrr) and is on base. Now for those who wonder why it's a big deal that I bought a shower curtain all on my own: on base... it feels like you're going to get yelled at. So I have these horrible thoughts that I'm going to get to the check out and the lady is going to grab all my items yell at me and throw them on the ground... So I'm taking my time at the bx, walking slow, pretending I need sheets, towels, coffee makers, anything to delay getting to the checkout. Finally I get the the checkout. The lady says hello, asks to see my id, swipes my card, and tells me to have a good day. What?? Seriously? It was that easy? I hurry out of the bx incase she changes her mind and comes after me. Then I went to the library!

The library was really nice. Very quiet. I thought I would include a pic of my apt too. I hope no one super creepy decides to show up here because I posted a picture... I'll take the chance.

Yay, there it is! What have I been doing in my spare time you may ask?

Working on my crochet!! It's coming along. I'm not super good yet but hopefully soon I'll be good enough to crochet whatever I want. I found a table on craigslist this afternoon for 30$ that looked like it was in really good shape. Hopefully we can pick it up tonight and I can get out my sewing too! Boredom, they say, is for people who have no imagination or creativity. So true. Well, I'm off to find the public library (they're supposed to have book club there on wednesdays...) and hit up the commissary (on-base grocery store) for pecan pie items (and maybe chocolate chip cookie items too!)

And we're back!

I've made it to Biloxi! The drive was looonnngggg and very interesting. Day one was short, day two was very long and at the end of the day as I was exiting to find a hotel the Jeep started acting up! So the next morning I took it to the Jeep dealer. EESH! Service in the south has been terrible! I sat at the dealership for 3 hours before they even came and talked to me!! After almost 5 hours of waiting the Jeep was fixed and I was back on the road. So three days on the road.

I pulled in to Biloxi at 4, got my apartment, moved in, showered, and headed to base to see Levi! The weekend has been great! I'm cleaning my apartment and settling in now. Tomorrow we are picking up a bed and hopefully a small table!

I'm so excited that Thanksgiving is this week! Not only does Levi have a 4 day weekend (yay!!) but we'll also be eating pecan pie and other festive foods! And I'll be with my husband which makes me VERY happy. :) (have I mentioned how THANKFUL I am for him??)

Here are a few pictures! I'm sure I'll have more tomorrow!

This is the beach that is just across the road from my apartment!

The long white fence is Jefferson Davis' house. He's about two blocks from me, we're practically neighbors!

This is the pier that is just across the street and down a little from my apartment.

And Levi got a hair cut today! 

And I thought I'd include the next two books that are on my reading list!

  

Tomatoland            and        From the Bottom Up

Off to do some crafting now, and kill some cockroaches I think (ish...)

Hello

Hello,

I feel like we're starting from scratch. Maybe we are.

My name is Ally, I grew up on a small family farm in Minnesota. I married an amazing man on July 2nd, 2010. He balances me out perfectly and is my best friend. Somewhere in there he decided he wanted to join the Air Force. So here we are! Today is my last day in Minnesota. We will be residents of the south! First Mississippi and then Louisiana (at least that's what the AF is telling us for now...). Levi is doing avionics in the Air Force. I'm hoping to start graduate school in Environmental Science in January. I have a passion for environmental issues that are tied to social justice. Together we like being involved in church, walking our dog, being outdoorsy, and making pesto pizza. In my free time (which I will have a lot of for now!) I like to cook, bake, sew, crochet, bike, hike, and read. I also like kicking the soccer ball around, drinking good coffee, hanging out with my husband, and making friends!

I'm hoping this becomes a place where I can record bits of our life, new places and faces, and (soon!?) my newly acquired cajun cooking skills (and disasters). :)

~ Ally