The Times They Are a Changin'

 So, I started this at the end of April and apparently just didn't hit "Publish Post"....oops!  A little late but here it is!
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As announced via Facebook, so as to make it official {note sarcasm here} the Schlichtings are hittin' the road...again!

When Mark and I moved back to Minnesota last summer and Mark took over the Moorhead branch the ultimate goal was to get to Minneapolis at some point.  We thought that would happen next fall at the earliest...we were wrong!  About a month ago Mark was asked to takeover the Minneapolis office...in early May...this year!

So this past month has been a bit of whirlwind for the Schlichting clan.  Renovating two houses, moving, starting a new job, selling houses...it's been crazy and I have a feeling this is only the beginning!  It's all great stuff though and I couldn't be more proud of Mark for all that he's accomplished in such a short time - he's a rockstar!

Through this process Mark and I have been both excited to be back in the Cities but also sad to leave 'country life' behind.  It's no secret that I'm actually a hermit hiding in a sociable facade so I've really loved being up here in the peace and quiet.  I'm amazed every day by the rolling hills, forests, and of course, the sunsets.  We definitely count ourselves lucky to have had this experience.  I was feeling a little down about it the other day so Mark and I started talking about all of the awesome things about living in the Cities.  I thought I'd share the highlights:

1. Takeout/Delivery Food Options: right now we can't even get pizza delivered so this will feel very luxurious once we're back in town!
2. Restaurants: besides Zorbaz and a Chinese place in DL we have to drive about 40 miles to get to a restaurant so we are over the moon about all of our dining options back in the Cities....hooray!
3. Grocery Stores: this is a big one for me.  Really the only grocery store here is Super Wal-Mart and it kind of sucks.  I really look forward to being able to "run to the grocery store" and not having to make a day of it.  Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Lund's...oh my!
4. A Dishwasher!  HOORAY!  I actually don't mind doing dishes but this will certainly be nice not to HAVE to.
5. Water Pressure: there is a serious lack of it at the cabin likely due to the fact that we don't have city water.  It will be nice that water doesn't dribble out of the faucet in the Cities!
6. Recycling: don't worry, we do recycle here but there isn't a city program like there is in Minneapolis.  We have to sort everything (including 4 different kinds of paper) and then haul it to a recycling center 15 miles away.  It's exciting that someone will come and pick up the recycling for us and maybe even sort it...yay!

There are obviously many, many more but these top my list right now.