Concluding the Atlanta Chapter and Opening a New Book

Hello again!  I hope everyone reading this is doing well!  I named this blog post after the idea of beginning a new chapter in life- well, this feels like a whole new book from the "surprise" bin at the bookstore!  At this point, our location and imagined plans have changed enough times to justify calling it a brand new book. :)

Neither Here Nor There
Have you ever felt that you are between being settled and being transient somewhere?  Atlanta has been like that for us.  We know many of the streets and shops, but definitely rely on the map app!  We have met many people and want to have friends here, but sometimes prefer to coast through anonymously rather than tell our story another several times.  We are enjoying all the convenient and yummy kosher food, but are willing to resume cooking healthy and customized for ourselves once again.  It's been a treat for the girls to experience a different Jewish school here (the Chabad variety,) but I can't wait to have that shorter school day coupled with teaching them their Hebrew and Torah studies at home.  We've enjoyed some great Air BnB accommodations, especially our fab 1950's style pre-fabricated metal home the Lustron for the last two weeks, but can't wait to set up even semi-permanently back in Florida.

David lounging at the Lustron- aka "home" for almost two weeks in the Decatur suburb of Atlanta.

Maker Faire Atlanta!! A super Sunday activity with the Feens.  We learned about a lot of different kinds of crafts and "making" that we didn't know about, and saw a robot competition!  Here the girls are making a simple circuit battery+lightbulb gadget at an educator's booth.

A few things at the Maker Faire were just right for David :)

 Pics of our cool house :)

much more nicely done than average Air BnB!

really fun backyard

if you google Lustron houses, they all look quite alike!

down to the dishtowels and fridge magnets, the owners didn't miss a beat!

all the furniture, books, and art was right on decade-theme

fab kitchen!

There's Diri in the window!

A fun park nearby...there's Nesi on the hill

Moving Back- What's Next

Which leads me to our news- we are moving to Panama City Beach next week for Robert to resume (actually, start!!) the job we moved for a month ago!  The Utilities Law office will be working partially on location at the base (also known as the "installation," I've heard.)  The office itself was not damaged.  They will also work remotely at first, and since it will take at least a year for the base to completely rebuild, we think we'll be there for a while.  We could not find a place to rent in Panama City, and it's for the best, as you'll read about next, but also, that area is really run down now, so it's just as well to be in a much more in-tact town.  Not to mention, PCB has a lot of great attractions for family fun.  Which helps cushion the blow for our original plan and the great amenities on base not being possible.

Someone named Rena who I've been in touch with, a religious woman in the community there, helped me map our rental to the shul (and her location is the blue dot.)  As  you can see, we are walking distance from the beach and shul!!!  We seem to have a lot in common and have spoken on the phone and texted a number of times.  She's the only person I really know down there!

We found a good looking Air BnB townhouse that is (get this!!) walking distance to the beach and to the synagogue!  The girls are going to enroll at the nearby elementary school because we don't want to drive all the way to PC (40 minutes plus serious construction traffic) in order to attend a school that isn't even able to be in its own building.  Hutchison Beach Elementary will probably feel a lot more "normal" than post-hurricane Tyndall Elementary, unfortunately.

The townhouse is smaller than we would have liked, but nice.  I'm hoping and praying that the owner was correct about the heated outdoor pools even being open throughout the winter.  OUR FIRST FLORIDA WINTER!  (We were getting really cold here in Georgia- bring us south!)  I'm VERY anxious to at least pretend to settle in and have a lot more toys handy to keep the kids happier and busier.  As is, we really need this change!

More pics from our last couple weeks in Atlanta:
Judah and Jessica Greenberg's new son's bris (Ezra!)  I also got to visit them in the hospital the night he was born!  They are our friends from St. Louis who then moved to Birmingham and Macon for Judah's medical career.

Grandpa's visit!! We love when my dad comes to spend time with us.  We really enjoyed the Georgia Aquarium with the kids, President Jimmy Carter Museum (without the kids,) some playgrounds (Little Nancy Creek Park and one near our rental in Decatur,) and eating out with my Gutman-side cousins Wendy, Stephen, and Zach!!!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,a very fun exploration at the Little Nancy Creek Park which we found on the way back from school

  

 

a crafty afternoon with the Feens!

Me and Dubby doing some zen doodling with Adira's
extra coloring sheets.  Try to color off some stress :)

tea party for a bunch of princesses and King David with special
cinnamon rolls and frosting buffet!

Cinnaholic- a very gourmet cinnamon roll shop with tons of toppings and flavors!!  Kosher and Vegan!!!

Special times visiting with our cousins!!!  These kids can dance a great "floss"together too!!!

favorite exhibit always!  I also enjoyed touching
the tide pool critters but not everyone else does...

that awesome spotted thing is a WHALE SHARK AND IT WAS ENORMOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We got to see some veterens scuba diving in the tank, who had a special opportunity to do so.  Loved this place!!!