nothing ever changes ...

Note: I'm trying something with my blog. It's actually been in effect for several entries now, but I'm going to explain in case you hadn't quite picked up on it ... not everyone has the exquisitely eclectic taste in music that I possess.  ; ] When possible, I am going to title each of my blog entries with a lyric from a song as it applies or is stuck in my head. You can bet your bottom dollar that it will probably typically be a tune by Stevie Nicks or the Wilson sisters, but you just never know. I'll also be sure to cue you in as to what song I'm actually quoting. So, without further ado ...

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{Stevie Nicks, 'Nothing Ever Changes'}

So Stevie was kind of right on this one ... well, I'm actually taking this line out of context, but whatever. Some things never change, but a lot of things do. In my case, the winds of change are, for the most part, whipping up a storm, but hopefully a few things will remain constant. Today marks my very last full day in Pikeville, Kentucky. If all goes as planned, tomorrow I will be laying myself down to sleep in Hilliard, Ohio. A little more than a month later, I will begin my career as a doctoral student at The Ohio State University. So, we shall see. Please say a prayer for me as this next exciting phase of my life comes my way.

As I was saying, today is my last day in the 606. And it's going to be quite the busy day at that. I have so much to sort through and get into boxes. I've been offered more help than I could possibly need, but I just don't know how that would work since I have no idea as to what I'm doing myself. I think that this is something that I need to do on my own -- to go through my belongings, organize them, get rid of what I don't need, and get everything packed away neatly and safely for the trip to the 614.

I woke up half an hour before my alarm was to go off this morning. I tried to go back to sleep; I willed myself back to sleep. But, alas, it did not happen. So I got myself up and out of bed and got ready to attack the day. I was showered and dressed by 8:15 am. So far today, I have eaten breakfast, made a trip to Wal*Mart for some last-minute, but much-needed items, and cleaned out all of the junk that has found its way to my automobile. Pretty productive, I must say, but not productive enough. At the conclusion of this blog authoring, I am going to crank up the iTunes and get to work. So much to do, so much to do!

Yesterday involved a number of my most difficult farewells. It's really not so bad when you have telephone, texting, email, and Facebook, but when you have a lovable and adorable puppy dog who has not yet learned to communicate on the telephone, it makes for a very heart-wrenching farewell. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Festus and I haven't exactly been the best of pals these past few days and it has NOT been because I haven't been trying. There are days when he loves Mom and Mom only and everybody else can sit by and watch as he runs to her for a back scratch or a brushing with that loving little look in his eye and grin on his face. Dad and I are good for Pupperonis and doggie cookies and not much else. Sally gets preferential treatment when she visits {even if she may not realize it} and Shuff the Brother-in-Law even gets tolerated. I was actually kind of thankful for Festus' ignoring me because I thought that maybe he had figured out that I was getting ready to leave and he was trying to make it easier -- he's used to my comings and goings by now. Until yesterday. Dad, Festus, and I took a trip to the county transfer station to get rid of some old unusable furniture and some general garbage. Festus has recently learned to climb into the front seat of Mom and Dad's truck for short trips and has become rather fond of it. {He will only do it, however, once the driver has climbed into the driver's seat and he can crawl through that person's legs, under the steering column, and climb primly into the middle seat.} After that trip, Dad and I dropped Festus back off at their house and then made a quick trip to town to pick up some parts for some pre-moving trip truck maintenance. When we got back, I packed up the rest of my things from their house and loaded my car. I was actually hoping that maybe I could sneak away without Festus knowing, but I think that would have broken my heart even worse. As usual, he popped his head around the corner of Mom and Dad's home and then trotted over to my car to see what was going on. That did it. As soon as I started to say, 'Be a good boy, Festus ...,' the tears started welling and promptly spilled down onto my cheeks. He knew that I was upset and wasn't quite as difficult to pet as he can be sometimes. After listening to me as long as he would tolerate it, he trotted away and I figured that was his way of saying, 'You should go now.' I got into my car and didn't shut the door immediately because I was looking for my cell phone, plugging in my iPod, etc. All of a sudden, Festus was at my side and crawling through my legs to get into my car. After being stuck under my steering wheel for a few moments, he managed to work his way free and get turned around so that I could see him. I started cracking up, but cried even harder. I started bawling and he looked at me like I was crazy. There was no getting him out of that car. I wasn't quite sure what to do; we were pretty much at a stand-off. So I gently honked my horn to get Dad's attention from inside the house and Festus returned to his normal, skittish self and got his cute little doggie self out of my floorboard and back to the safety of the outdoors. I love that dog and I am going to miss him so.

I went to visit Papaw. While that was sad because I won't be seeing him for a while, it wasn't nearly as heart-shattering because I can always call him up and have a fun talk with him. I love talking to my Papaw. He's an old soul, but he says some of the funniest things ever with such a dry and abrupt tone that you cannot help but crack up. Sally and I can barely stand it when we visit him together. He told me to be careful and to 'keep them doors locked!' a number of times and then I took off for Pikeville.

I got home last night and found out that three of my best friends were coming to visit me with my precious little godson in tow. They came bearing gifts from all of the gang -- it was a paper party neatly packed into about three Wal*Mart bags.  : ] I won't have to buy paper anything for quite some time now ... We had a wonderful dinner at Applebee's and then I came back home to stare at my apartment and arrange a few things.

So now it's today and I've got a LOT of stuff to do. But it shall get done, my friends -- it shall get done. I do my best work under pressure ... and if this ain't the pressure cooker, then I don't know what is! Again, I ask you for your prayers as I pack everything up and get everything together, as we travel to Ohio tomorrow and unpack and arrange, as Mom and Dad make their way back to Virginia, as I find out if every service that I have asked to be set up is actually set up or not, and as I start in Ohio with a clean slate taking all of my experiences and memories with me and moving on to my next big adventure. It's going to be exciting, but even though some things may never change, a lot of them will. I'm excited to see what happens and I will update as soon as I can!

¡Hasta pronto!