The Beginning

Hello, friends and family!  As you know,  2 weeks ago, I picked up my life and left Detroit for Harrisburg, PA.  I've received a lot of questions about what is happening, and have been off of Facebook a good part of the time since I left.  So, here I am, writing a blog about my journey.  I hope you'll follow along for the ride!

The Cast of Characters:

I am staying in a 4 bedroom condo owned by my friend, Linda.  Her father, Roger (who is 86 but looks and acts about 70), and her 20-year old son, Kyle, also live here.  We are all joined by the two dogs, Tessie the pug and Lacey the beagle.  Linda has a 19-year old son, Sam, who is expected to visit later this summer.

Alexandra is living with a friend in Farmington for the summer.

The Setting

I am living in Lewisberry, population 362, about 15 minutes outside Harrisburg, which is the state capitol.  The area is in the Susquehanna River Valley, which is on the eastern edge of the Allegheny Mountains.  If you, like me, know almost nothing about Pennsylvania, there are three mountain ranges here:  the Appalachians, the Alleghenies, and the Poconos. When I first visited here in early April, I have to admit I was not impressed by all the dirt, mud, and brown snow.  Now, everything is in full bloom, with wildflowers growing on the sides of the mountains.  It is gorgeously beautiful!  I promise more pictures later...

The First Day

On Wednesday morning, I woke up exhausted and achy.  And then I discovered the balcony, which has become my reading spot every day. This is the view.  

I can't believe I get to look at this view out the back door!!! 

At 10 am on Wednesday, I received a call for a job interview.  Linda's work had a job opening, which she submitted my resume for.   They wanted to interview me at 3:00 pm.  So I pulled out my interview suit, and interviewed with two people there from 3-4.  They must have liked me:  on Friday, they asked me to fill out an agreement for a background check.  It was submitted last Monday.  Since I am from Michigan, it is being conducted through the FBI, which takes a bit longer.  Once that's complete, I'll submit to a drug test.  The place I interviewed with is an assisted living facility, and they are (naturally) very careful in their employee selection.

Thursday

On Thursday, I started exploring the area.  Specifically, I wanted to see the mountains in view from the balcony.  So I turned off my GPS and headed toward the mountains.  What I discovered was Roundtop Mountain,  a ski resort about 10 miles from here.  These pictures are from the top of the mountain.

This is what I've discovered so far:  first, this area is magnificently beautiful!  There are many MANY expressways, most of which are not seriously overcrowded.  When you leave the expressway, you are inevitably on a hilly and twisty surface street, driving through tunnels of trees.  

Second, there are many more jobs.  In addition to being the state capitol, Harrisburg is close to many major cities of the east coast:  Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC, New York, and Pittsburgh.  I spend time each day looking for jobs.

Third, I have never had roommates other than a husband and my daughter.  I am finding it much easier than I thought.   

There is so much more to tell, but enough for today.  Have a wonderful evening!