Celebrate Little Victories - Moving across the Pacific (and the Continent, too)

Mary Gramlich, the Reading Reviewer (link), inspired the title for this semi-regular feature.  She once reminded me to appreciate the little victories in our lives .... and I am thankful for those who assisted me during our recent move:

- My neighbor Christine, who gave me the use of her second car after we shipped ours.  Her husband is currently deployed yet she found the time to assist me many times.  She also accepted my leftover cleaning products, toiletries, and other stuff that I could not ship.  

Christine is a Scentsy consultant - if you are interested in brightening your home, contact me at sos.aloha@yahoo.com and I'll connect you with Christine.

- Cat advocate Barbara, who coordinates the Hickam Ten Lives (link).  Her tireless efforts to rescue abandoned pets inspired me to join the team.   My family fostered 6 other cats (not all at once) plus our two own cats.

Barbara gave me the cat on the left as a farewell gift.   I bought the bank on the first night in Maryland.

  
- My teenagers, Andrew and David, who assisted me in packing our household and cleaning our house.   My oldest thinks it will be easier for him to go off to college as he has less possessions. Just wait, Andrew, just wait 'til you have a family!

- My peeps - Nadja, Renee, and Kory - who kept me sane.  They are military spouses and book enthusiasts who thought outside the box.   They are not only my friends, but rock stars in writing.

Nadja is NL Gassert (link).   Her debut novel, THE PROTECTOR, was a finalist for the 2009 Literary Lambda Award.   Nadja taught me to open my mind and not let the challenges of military life to get me down.   Nadja's first language is German ... but she is the best reviewer in English!

Renee is D Renee Bagby (link).  I quote from her website,

Magic, dimensional travel, other worlds, and things that go bump in the night fuel my imagination and dominant my books. The emotions are raw and the love is real. If you think you can handle it, "Leave Your Reality Behind" and come visit mine.

Renee has attended several of the same conferences as I have ... so we talk the talk about Romanceland!

Kory is my personal rock star as she assumed responsibility for the Hickam Library Friends.   This volunteer mission was hard to let go ... but I know it is now in safe (and sane) hands!

I will miss Nadja, Renee, and Kory!

- We flew Honolulu - Denver - Baltimore.   On the last leg, I sat in the emergency exit row with more leg room (my teens were two rows behind me).    The last passengers - three blonde moms - boarded the aircraft, two sitting next to me and the third in front of us.   They asked if I would switch so they could sit together.  At first, I was hesitant to give up my great seat ... but I did because I believe in good karma (Nadja would be proud). The flight was smooth and early - an extra bonus after a long night of traveling.  The "three blonde moms" were visiting a high school friend for the weekend.  They had one purpose for their trip - cheer on their friend who was battling cancer.  I was taken back by their generous spirit ... and realized that I, too, have friends like them.   

Everyone should have fairy-god-friends!

- Finally, I thank my in laws as they are currently hosting my teens (rather than them sit in our empty townhouse).   My in laws live in Ohio and plan to take my children to a Reds game, the NFL Hall of Fame, and back-to-school shopping.   My in laws have also been the recipient of my mail, including boxes from RT and RWA.   My teens will bring my mail back (including the boxes) so I will restart the "convention stash" in September.  

Do you have any little victory to celebrate?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

PS I posted my first set of pictures from Maryland on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link.