Summer of Many Beds

The summer of 2010 might very well be referred to as "The Summer of Many Beds" for the Chownings. It has been a summer of transition, travel, and much preparation. Of course, the transition and preparation began even before we moved away from Melissa. And it has been like a downward spiral. . . getting faster and more furious as we go. And through all the many beds and pallets in hotels and houses, some things have been constant. Lambie and Baby Doll have slept with our children every night. A little familiarity, a little comfort, a little love. . . and all is well.

It began the night before we left Melissa. We had sold our beds out from under ourselves, so we were left to sleep on a borrowed mattress on the floor. Then we were in Bandina with my parents for two nights. Next, we moved on to my sister's house for one night in preparation for our outbound flight to Panama. The kids stayed with cousins during that time. While in Panama, we stayed in a condo in the city one night, in a beach house in Farallon one night, back to the condo for two nights, and then back to San Antonio with my sister for another night. Finally, we were back to our "home." Then one week later, we left for our working vacation. We stayed in a hotel in Shreveport one night, a hotel in Memphis one night, Aaron's sister's house in Nashville for two nights, and to our final destination of Blue Ridge, GA for a week. On the way home, we stayed in a hotel in Baton Rouge. After being gone for 12 days, we were "home" again. Then after just 4 days, we left for Abilene and a high school reunion and time with family. So, we spent two nights with my other sister. Back "home" again for a few days, but planning to make another two night trip to Austin to meet up with some friends this weekend. Hopefully, after that, we will be "home" until we move to our home to Panama.

Speaking of that, we have made some arrangements. This goes under all three categories of transition, travel, and preparation. We have tickets to fly out of San Antonio to Fort Lauderdale (via DFW) on September 9th. Spending one night in a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, and then flying on to Panama on September 10th. Once there, we will spend a couple of nights in a hotel, and then finally, on September 12th, the plan is to have a place of our own. It is a beautiful house in El Valle de Anton, Panama. That's in the mountains where it is much cooler than the city. We're looking forward to eating, schooling, playing, and hammocking on the porch. And of course, being in one bed for more than one week continuously! Here's to hoping it's a comfortable bed.