Summer Part I

After a three month hiatus from blogging, I think our lives have sufficiently settled down to make writing a viable option again.  Over the summer we were not able to keep in touch with many of you and while I truly do not want this post to sound like I am complaining, I though it would be fitting, for good or for ill, to record our misadventures. Here is an overview of our summer starting shortly after finals:

June:
-Stefan leaves for Arizona for two weeks, kicking off a two month summer internship split between Arizona and Iowa. I stay in Michigan.
-I begin packing our apartment for our move...destination TBD.
-I begin packing my department at work for their relocation in late June. Things are a little rough since I am the only person in my department who is moving...okay, a lot rough.
-I beg for a Monday off to spend our second anniversary with Stefan in Iowa. Permission granted. Praise God.
-Find out Stefan's GPA and class rank--praise God for a successful first year! (sigh of relief)
-I travel to Iowa to meet Stefan when he arrives from Arizona after two weeks (YAY!!!).
-We spend the weekend with family and have a hurried anniversary lunch that Monday (so I can make it back to work by the next day. Our office is moving on Friday and my boss is moving to Italy, also on Friday)
-On the way home, in 97 degree heat, my car starts to overheat. I foolishly think I can make it back to Michigan so I turn on the heater, open the windows, and drive (pulling over every 20 min. to keep from passing out until I reach Bettendorf. BTW - I'd never had an "Icee" in my life, but in my delirium I must have thought it was a good idea because afterward I found an incriminating paper cup and a pool of red corn syrup in my cup holder--it was SO hot). :)
-Man at Walmart tells me I am going to crack my engine if I try to drive to Michigan.
-Rescued by Cousin Bob and his nice wife who feed me and give me a place to cry myself to sleep. (Remember, this is still our anniversary, which we are not spending together. Recall our first anniversary--also spent driving to Michigan, also with no AC).
-Next day: Radiator ist Kaput. That will be $$$ please. Oh, and it will ready Friday (see above).
-Must rent car. No cars in Quad-city area due to flooding. Finally find one. $$$. Leave.
-Arrive Michigan. Promptly realize I left keys in Jeep. Rescued by friends Meg and Donna. Cry.
-Receive flowers from husband. :)
-Move School.
-Get new keys, pack house and leave it clean and ready movers to arrive in late July.
-Pack rental car for Florida. Drive to Iowa. Retrieve car. Repack with help from nice cousins.
-Drive to Tennessee. Relax.

End part one.