Idahohnoyoudint.

I'm not sure of the exact date, but around this time give or take a couple of days, we were pulling off of the i-15 and into the city of nothing, our new home, Idaho Falls.

Immediately, I was unimpressed, but I wasn't anticipating anything more so it didn't surprise me. I was, however, a little surprised at how quickly the feeling of dread and despair had overwhelmed me, since I had about a week to try and convince myself it would be ok. I had that heavy almost painful feeling in the pit of my stomach as we passed the wal-mart, the forlorn looking pancake house, and other buildings that looked just as sad to be in this town as I was.

                             

As we pulled up to the light located right next to "The Falls" I stared at the water, not knowing at the time that I was seeing absolutely all there was to see in this city. I looked to my right, a car was stopped next to us at the light, an older, beat up and rusted, white sedan with the windows down that contained a lone driver; a woman, possibly in her mid thirties, looking like the midway point of the faces of meth photo series--not completely overcome with meth face, but well on her way. She was wearing a spaghetti strap pink tank top, her hair pulled up with a scrunchie, smoking a cigarette. That's when my emotions surfaced, the flood gates opened, and the tears came. That woman, her cigarette, and her scrunchie were a symbol of all that I lost leaving beautiful Savannah, GA for Idaho Falls, ID, a town where people still wore scrunchies.

I still remember that day like it was yesterday. It's been a hard pill to swallow knowing that this place is my home, the place Taylor and I have been in the longest, and the place where my first baby was born. AND, Although there are terrible things about this place that still keep me from loving it (and knowing that I definitely will not miss it when we finally get to leave), there are good things that help me cope with being trapped here. Target, D.I., a few good people and friends I've made, the extremely low cost of living, the proximity to other places I'd rather be (I.E. Bear Lake, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City) my cute house, and my cute family. When I get asked the question "How do you like living in Idaho Falls?" I can now say, "It's ok, in the summertime." which is an upgrade from "No comment" or "I don't." or "This is what hell will be like."

Here's to hoping that I can survive the next couple of years here unscathed.