I got together with a friend (yes, I said friend). I took a lesson from Liz and stalked her so we could be friends forever.
We put together the Cheet-O conference packs and just talked. It was nice to just talk...although it did make me a little misty for my other friends.
I hit the Amish store today....fully stocked deli! Oh yeah...and I bought a pound (a FULL pound and a little extra) of LUCKY CHARMS MARSHMALLOWS! It made me happy. And as I posted on Facebook, there is something ODDLY satisfying about eating handfuls of lucky charms marshmallows. I'm just sayin'.
They also had some other amazing foods and deals....Guess where I am going to start shopping regularly! WOOHOO! And they have BACON, EGG and CHEESE bread....they love me.
We had Young Womens that night, making temple blocks and a few of our wonderful girls couldn't come...but a couple of the ones that didn't make it did manage to win their championship game! It was FABULOUS!
Oh and I took Caleb to the doctor....so when you see him, be sure to welcome the latest asthmatic to the family.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sept. 27 - Tuesday
Honestly, I don't remember a lot about Tuesday. Oh yes I do....I'm talking to myself while typing....is that a sign of something bad?
Caleb stayed home from school. He bawled about going. He has been sick...but he was even begging me to find another school for him to go to....which makes me really sad. Especially when he says he knows there are good schools in Utah. He also told me he really missed great grandma and she would understand.....
So he and I had a 'bonding' day. I really think the poor kid needed a mental health day. We worked out in the yard and found a ginormous ant hill....
Which comes to play in the evening activities. Caleb and I had apparently angered the ants and they attacked the house. They were in EVERY....FREAKING.....ROOM. It sucked.
Caleb stayed home from school. He bawled about going. He has been sick...but he was even begging me to find another school for him to go to....which makes me really sad. Especially when he says he knows there are good schools in Utah. He also told me he really missed great grandma and she would understand.....
So he and I had a 'bonding' day. I really think the poor kid needed a mental health day. We worked out in the yard and found a ginormous ant hill....
Which comes to play in the evening activities. Caleb and I had apparently angered the ants and they attacked the house. They were in EVERY....FREAKING.....ROOM. It sucked.
Sept. 26 - Monday
Some days are never expected.
Poor Felix had a business trip and because of scheduling had to take one of our cars to the airport. Sadly, he hit traffic...he made his flight....but barely.
Noah stayed home from school puking his guts out, I ran errands and the dog got a hair cut. I know we are so excited we can never stay still.
I worked on my Faith value all day, which I really, really, really needed to do. It was a welcome distraction, but also a reminder of why I'm here. I'm here because Heavenly Father said I needed to be....and I listened (for a change).
Then I got a call from Felix....there were all sorts of problems with his flight to the next leg of his trip and so he was bagging his trip and heading home. Four day trip shortened to 1. Whoa.
I know it was hard on him...but it worked really good for me.
Poor Felix had a business trip and because of scheduling had to take one of our cars to the airport. Sadly, he hit traffic...he made his flight....but barely.
Noah stayed home from school puking his guts out, I ran errands and the dog got a hair cut. I know we are so excited we can never stay still.
I worked on my Faith value all day, which I really, really, really needed to do. It was a welcome distraction, but also a reminder of why I'm here. I'm here because Heavenly Father said I needed to be....and I listened (for a change).
Then I got a call from Felix....there were all sorts of problems with his flight to the next leg of his trip and so he was bagging his trip and heading home. Four day trip shortened to 1. Whoa.
I know it was hard on him...but it worked really good for me.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sept. 25 - Sunday
Another peaceful Sunday. Yay for YW....always so much fun and so looking forward to General Conference this upcoming weekend.
I started my YW medallion today. Felix is leaving on a trip on Monday. His travelling companion wanted to leave Sunday night, but Felix decided to drive one of our cars into Saint Louis rather than leave early. It will actually work out better for Thursday!
We just vegged all day. There were a few nervous breakdowns...but overall it was a nice quiet day.
I started my YW medallion today. Felix is leaving on a trip on Monday. His travelling companion wanted to leave Sunday night, but Felix decided to drive one of our cars into Saint Louis rather than leave early. It will actually work out better for Thursday!
We just vegged all day. There were a few nervous breakdowns...but overall it was a nice quiet day.
Sept. 24 - Saturday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVANNAH! She's 14. I don't want to talk about it.
So have I mentioned I live in the middle of nowhere? Savannah wanted to see abduction....the new Taylor Lautner movie (he should pick another career or just walk around with his shirt off....I'm just sayin').
We drove an hour to the theater (yes an hour) [Side Note: There is a 4 screen theater in town....but for whatever reason....there is never anything interesting playing]. We made it in plenty of time, got snacks, got settled and watch it.
Caleb got up 3 times. I had to get up once for me. Baylee threw up...again, too much excitement????
Then an hour home. Took the dog out and headed to the steak house for dinner. Of course there was the obligatory fighting amongst siblings who's birthday it was not.
We did cake later....and Savannah really liked her presents. Toms, iHome, books, jewelry....and a surprise designer purse from her dad....I know, I was shocked too.
So have I mentioned I live in the middle of nowhere? Savannah wanted to see abduction....the new Taylor Lautner movie (he should pick another career or just walk around with his shirt off....I'm just sayin').
We drove an hour to the theater (yes an hour) [Side Note: There is a 4 screen theater in town....but for whatever reason....there is never anything interesting playing]. We made it in plenty of time, got snacks, got settled and watch it.
Caleb got up 3 times. I had to get up once for me. Baylee threw up...again, too much excitement????
Then an hour home. Took the dog out and headed to the steak house for dinner. Of course there was the obligatory fighting amongst siblings who's birthday it was not.
We did cake later....and Savannah really liked her presents. Toms, iHome, books, jewelry....and a surprise designer purse from her dad....I know, I was shocked too.
Sept. 23 - Friday
It's official. It's Homecoming...for the high school. Everyone, including elementary schools get out early today.
Felix drug me down to Piedmont.....I really didn't want to go....I have other things to do. But we went....I saw it. Let's go home.
We then went to the parade. Noah was on a float (i.e. car)...but goodness knows why he wouldn't say hi mom or anything when he went by so I could have taken a picture. Sigh.
We made it home and we all crashed. Too much excitement I guess. Noah and Baylee had a primary activity, and when it was over we found a pretty good little Italian place for dinner.
That was nice.
Felix drug me down to Piedmont.....I really didn't want to go....I have other things to do. But we went....I saw it. Let's go home.
We then went to the parade. Noah was on a float (i.e. car)...but goodness knows why he wouldn't say hi mom or anything when he went by so I could have taken a picture. Sigh.
We made it home and we all crashed. Too much excitement I guess. Noah and Baylee had a primary activity, and when it was over we found a pretty good little Italian place for dinner.
That was nice.
Sept. 22 - Thursday
I made friends! And we hung out and DID A CRAFT! And for all those of you who know me, and totally know that I am NOT craft....it was fun....and it even turned out! WOOHOO!
Then it was off to start getting dinner ready. It's Thursday....which means the missionaries are coming over! We invited the Chapmans too....because they are infinitely more fun than us.
We did sloppy joes....because it's easy and I found an amazing BLT pasta salad recipe....it was mighty tasty.
A good time was had....even though an extra set of missionaries came and my kids were off the wall....as usual. And since I always plan ahead...yes, there was plenty to eat.
Then it was off to start getting dinner ready. It's Thursday....which means the missionaries are coming over! We invited the Chapmans too....because they are infinitely more fun than us.
We did sloppy joes....because it's easy and I found an amazing BLT pasta salad recipe....it was mighty tasty.
A good time was had....even though an extra set of missionaries came and my kids were off the wall....as usual. And since I always plan ahead...yes, there was plenty to eat.
Sept. 21 - Wednesday
Okay....since I have completely lost track of time, space, continuum...etc. I have to resort to posting the date and day of the week. Boring, I know. Sorry.
It was a long day....they kind of all are right now. But it was YW night (combined activity). And guess what....we went ice blocking. SO COOL. Especially for a bunch of Missouri kids who had never heard of such a thing.
It was pretty amazing because Jonathan came....an inactive kid that Savannah met at school and she has asked to come to the activity, faithfully.....every week. So it was a pretty cool experience. Being with the youth just lightens my heart....it was a good day.
It was a long day....they kind of all are right now. But it was YW night (combined activity). And guess what....we went ice blocking. SO COOL. Especially for a bunch of Missouri kids who had never heard of such a thing.
It was pretty amazing because Jonathan came....an inactive kid that Savannah met at school and she has asked to come to the activity, faithfully.....every week. So it was a pretty cool experience. Being with the youth just lightens my heart....it was a good day.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Fast Forward to Today
It's been several weeks since I've been here. Yeah. It's been rough.
So I'll sum up the past few weeks.
Everyone has been sick.
Caleb has been in trouble at school (acting out a bit?....yup).
Felix has had a couple of trips
A few emotional meltdowns (mostly mine)
A stake dance an hour and half away.
Fallen bookshelf on the 6 year old
Clogged sink
Leaky toilet
Bugs, creepy crawlies, frogs and snakes.
I am trying to get out of my funk. I am. Please be patient with me. This is the biggest learning adventure of my life....I think I was unprepared for it all!
With Homecoming (which is a HUGE deal here) on Friday, there are definitely going to be things to talk about.
I don't want to talk about my icky moody, other than I recognize it for what it is and realize I haven't opened myself up to this experience yet....which is what I am currently trying to do!
So I'll sum up the past few weeks.
Everyone has been sick.
Caleb has been in trouble at school (acting out a bit?....yup).
Felix has had a couple of trips
A few emotional meltdowns (mostly mine)
A stake dance an hour and half away.
Fallen bookshelf on the 6 year old
Clogged sink
Leaky toilet
Bugs, creepy crawlies, frogs and snakes.
I am trying to get out of my funk. I am. Please be patient with me. This is the biggest learning adventure of my life....I think I was unprepared for it all!
With Homecoming (which is a HUGE deal here) on Friday, there are definitely going to be things to talk about.
I don't want to talk about my icky moody, other than I recognize it for what it is and realize I haven't opened myself up to this experience yet....which is what I am currently trying to do!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Day 33: YUCK
Let me just sum this up...there will be more on my main blog.
1. My face was attacked by a spider while I cleaned the garage.
2. There was a snake in the pool filter.
3. We bought carpet.
4. Found a semi-decent mexican restaurant in the middle of nowhere.
Spiders and snake. Yuck. Yuck....YUCK!!!!
1. My face was attacked by a spider while I cleaned the garage.
2. There was a snake in the pool filter.
3. We bought carpet.
4. Found a semi-decent mexican restaurant in the middle of nowhere.
Spiders and snake. Yuck. Yuck....YUCK!!!!
Day 32: What a Day!
If I'm going to do anything....I'm going to do it big. Have I mentioned that about myself.
We got out the door at 6:30. Felix gets to drive carpool for the first time. Fun for him.
We got to the hospital and couldn't find the elevator to the 9th floor. Went to the information desk and found out I had to have a special sticker to get up there. We made it and into the Hematology/Oncology center we went.
Wow. There isn't a lot you can say, other than wow. Can I be any more humbled? Nope.
We got Baylee all hooked up and the chairs started filling up. It's an open infusion room. Lots of chairs and lots of sweet babies pulling their IV's along as they go to the playroom, get snacks and generally just run around while getting their treatments.
Baylee and I were pretty overwhelmed because at Primary's it's a very quiet experience. Here...well, not so much. There were clown docs, and volunteers and toys and balloons and just plain chaos. She and I didn't really know how to take the philosophy of "You have cancer, let's do something fun!". Especially since she doesn't have cancer.
But we made it through. We are set up for our next round at the end of the month, as well as an MRI and x-rays. It's going to be a very long day.
On our way home, we stopped to get some lunch and lo and behold....A HOBBY LOBBY! Yeah, we went in. It was happy.
But then we got home and had to start pulling ourselves together, the missionaries were coming for dinner. The house was a mess. A big mess.
I spent the afternoon cleaning. Then around 5, Noah realized he needed stuff for school the next day and I had to take him to the store. Really? So we went and shopped as fast as humanly possible, so I could get home and order pizza.
Got the pizza ordered and waited. And waited....and waited.
I finally got online to see where my pizza was and ummm, yeah. I sent it to my house in Utah. SPECIAL.
I called Papa John's and asked them to send it to the Grant's right across the street. But they didn't get it and didn't get it and didn't get it.
Then I got an email from our renters. They got the pizza. With a few phone calls, we divvied up the pizza and fed both families. And took the missionaries out to dinner. It was a good service day....thanks to my stupidity.
We got out the door at 6:30. Felix gets to drive carpool for the first time. Fun for him.
We got to the hospital and couldn't find the elevator to the 9th floor. Went to the information desk and found out I had to have a special sticker to get up there. We made it and into the Hematology/Oncology center we went.
Wow. There isn't a lot you can say, other than wow. Can I be any more humbled? Nope.
We got Baylee all hooked up and the chairs started filling up. It's an open infusion room. Lots of chairs and lots of sweet babies pulling their IV's along as they go to the playroom, get snacks and generally just run around while getting their treatments.
Baylee and I were pretty overwhelmed because at Primary's it's a very quiet experience. Here...well, not so much. There were clown docs, and volunteers and toys and balloons and just plain chaos. She and I didn't really know how to take the philosophy of "You have cancer, let's do something fun!". Especially since she doesn't have cancer.
But we made it through. We are set up for our next round at the end of the month, as well as an MRI and x-rays. It's going to be a very long day.
On our way home, we stopped to get some lunch and lo and behold....A HOBBY LOBBY! Yeah, we went in. It was happy.
But then we got home and had to start pulling ourselves together, the missionaries were coming for dinner. The house was a mess. A big mess.
I spent the afternoon cleaning. Then around 5, Noah realized he needed stuff for school the next day and I had to take him to the store. Really? So we went and shopped as fast as humanly possible, so I could get home and order pizza.
Got the pizza ordered and waited. And waited....and waited.
I finally got online to see where my pizza was and ummm, yeah. I sent it to my house in Utah. SPECIAL.
I called Papa John's and asked them to send it to the Grant's right across the street. But they didn't get it and didn't get it and didn't get it.
Then I got an email from our renters. They got the pizza. With a few phone calls, we divvied up the pizza and fed both families. And took the missionaries out to dinner. It was a good service day....thanks to my stupidity.
Day 31: Guest room?
Yeah, the guess room is about done now too. I got it unpacked. And then Baylee came home...found all of the craft stuff...and yeah, I already have to fix it.
Savannah and I went to YW. We are decorating the rooms. Thank goodness there is an extremely crafty person there, and thank goodness I can follow instructions.
We are building the program from the ground up. The program has been barely there for quite some time. Personal Progress hasn't been done for at least a year. And the girls have all been on the verge of leaving. Hopefully we can save the program.
Once I got home....I had to get everyone in bed. Baylee has her first infusion at SLChildrens Hosp. Yeah...we are freaking out.
Savannah and I went to YW. We are decorating the rooms. Thank goodness there is an extremely crafty person there, and thank goodness I can follow instructions.
We are building the program from the ground up. The program has been barely there for quite some time. Personal Progress hasn't been done for at least a year. And the girls have all been on the verge of leaving. Hopefully we can save the program.
Once I got home....I had to get everyone in bed. Baylee has her first infusion at SLChildrens Hosp. Yeah...we are freaking out.
Day 30: The Basement is DONE...mostly
So in order to fight the boredom...I finished unpacking the basement today. Well....okay, I moved all of the remaining boxes to the rooms they are supposed to be in. Hey, it's a big step.
Felix had a big work dinner and meetings all day so I took the kids out....he shouldn't have all the fun. We were all soooooooo wiped out though. So we went early to Ryans (a buffet place) and had dinner with the over 60 crowd. Awesome.
Then we went home and crashed. I hope we aren't getting sick. That would really suck right now.
Felix had a big work dinner and meetings all day so I took the kids out....he shouldn't have all the fun. We were all soooooooo wiped out though. So we went early to Ryans (a buffet place) and had dinner with the over 60 crowd. Awesome.
Then we went home and crashed. I hope we aren't getting sick. That would really suck right now.
Day 29: Another Monday
We put our garbage out...they didn't pick it up. Even though they said they would....it was kind of gross.
Baylee is not feeling well. We made it for a really long time...so I suppose I shouldn't complain.
I got to hear my first tornado siren today. I was so confused. The sky was blue, not a cloud in sight. I called Felix at work, who assured me it was only a test...well that was rude. You don't do tests to new people.
I think this is three days in a row of boring. This is not good. I don't do bored.
Baylee is not feeling well. We made it for a really long time...so I suppose I shouldn't complain.
I got to hear my first tornado siren today. I was so confused. The sky was blue, not a cloud in sight. I called Felix at work, who assured me it was only a test...well that was rude. You don't do tests to new people.
I think this is three days in a row of boring. This is not good. I don't do bored.
Day 28: A Normal Sunday?
So I spoke at church today. It was interesting. I have been miserable enough that I had really been focusing on how I could be happy. So I spoke on happiness. My talk is HERE. It did help me pull out of my funk a little bit.
Although, the talk after mine was about apostasy. So, yeah....two extremes. Hmmmmm....can't imagine what that was like from the congregation.
I also got called to Young Womens, but I subbed in primary. Felix was called to primary as well, but he didn't have a manual so we combined the two classes.
Let's just say...these kids aren't used to structure at church.
We went and did x-rays for Caleb after church...the after hours clinics close at 2, so we kind of had to. But they don't think his hand is broken...but they will call us sometime on Monday to let us know for sure.
But other than that, it was a nice, quiet day. I like quiet.
Although, the talk after mine was about apostasy. So, yeah....two extremes. Hmmmmm....can't imagine what that was like from the congregation.
I also got called to Young Womens, but I subbed in primary. Felix was called to primary as well, but he didn't have a manual so we combined the two classes.
Let's just say...these kids aren't used to structure at church.
We went and did x-rays for Caleb after church...the after hours clinics close at 2, so we kind of had to. But they don't think his hand is broken...but they will call us sometime on Monday to let us know for sure.
But other than that, it was a nice, quiet day. I like quiet.
Day 27: Working It Out
So we did a little adventuring today. Yet another trip for recycling...sigh. We did find the butcher shop. It's the first thing I have found that isn't astronomically priced. Finally found a reasonable priced grocery store too. Although I have to have a quarter for the grocery cart and there are no name brands and they don't bag groceries. Yeah...there were some quirks, but at least it didn't cost me an arm and a leg.
We are starting to settle in...thank goodness...after such a rough week, it's about time.
I have to start my talk at some point. Yeah, I haven't done anything. I've been too busy feeling feel sorry for myself.
But at the end of the day, I managed to crank something out.
It was nice to have a day that wasn't all about packing.
We are starting to settle in...thank goodness...after such a rough week, it's about time.
I have to start my talk at some point. Yeah, I haven't done anything. I've been too busy feeling feel sorry for myself.
But at the end of the day, I managed to crank something out.
It was nice to have a day that wasn't all about packing.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Day 26: It's Not Working
Felix got home from his trip at 1 am. This is stressful on all of us...we each have our piece of the stress pie.
I got the kids to school...Savannah wanted me to drop her at the high school again, so I did. But it did go much smoother this morning.
When I got home, I had to call the garbage company because I still didn't have my trash cans. When we first got here, I just called the company that our landlords recommended. I paid three months in advance...garbage is privatized here. So strange. I had to buy my own cans and I'm only allowed little cans. Sorry...but we are such a NOT environmentally friendly family. So I had to call a different company. And now I have garbage service twice a week....which will help get rid of some of the moving crap.
I digress....I went to call the garbage company and my phone wasn't working. I realized there was still a box from the cable company attached. I un-attached it. Then my phone said no line. So I re-attached it and called AT&T.
I left a message for the installer and tried to call the main number. I got no where. But AT&T is huge here, so I drug Felix to the AT&T store with me. They tried calling tech service, reset the phone and told me to check when I got home. But I did get a super secret number to call if it still wasn't working.
After that we went to lunch and then went home and the phone still didn't work. So I called the super secret number and they tried to fix it. But they couldn't. So they ordered a tech.
Then I picked the kids up. And then we went home and waited for the tech. He came early and it took him 10 minutes. Awesome.
But I had no intention of making dinner at that point. So we drove around town for a while...nothing looked good. Look....the options are extremely, extremely limited.
Arnold, MO is only 49 minutes away (according to the GPS), so we decided to head that way. Yes, that is the closest city with options. But once we hit Festus, I didn't want to drive any more. Yes, Festus. Every time I say it, I think of the Addams Family.
There are most definitely more choices there. But we played it safe and ate at Bob Evans. We even got a pie. It was a good pie.
I got the kids to school...Savannah wanted me to drop her at the high school again, so I did. But it did go much smoother this morning.
When I got home, I had to call the garbage company because I still didn't have my trash cans. When we first got here, I just called the company that our landlords recommended. I paid three months in advance...garbage is privatized here. So strange. I had to buy my own cans and I'm only allowed little cans. Sorry...but we are such a NOT environmentally friendly family. So I had to call a different company. And now I have garbage service twice a week....which will help get rid of some of the moving crap.
I digress....I went to call the garbage company and my phone wasn't working. I realized there was still a box from the cable company attached. I un-attached it. Then my phone said no line. So I re-attached it and called AT&T.
I left a message for the installer and tried to call the main number. I got no where. But AT&T is huge here, so I drug Felix to the AT&T store with me. They tried calling tech service, reset the phone and told me to check when I got home. But I did get a super secret number to call if it still wasn't working.
After that we went to lunch and then went home and the phone still didn't work. So I called the super secret number and they tried to fix it. But they couldn't. So they ordered a tech.
Then I picked the kids up. And then we went home and waited for the tech. He came early and it took him 10 minutes. Awesome.
But I had no intention of making dinner at that point. So we drove around town for a while...nothing looked good. Look....the options are extremely, extremely limited.
Arnold, MO is only 49 minutes away (according to the GPS), so we decided to head that way. Yes, that is the closest city with options. But once we hit Festus, I didn't want to drive any more. Yes, Festus. Every time I say it, I think of the Addams Family.
There are most definitely more choices there. But we played it safe and ate at Bob Evans. We even got a pie. It was a good pie.
Day 25: Still Crying
Okay...I'm totally an overprotective Mom, but one of my babies got hurt.
I drove the kids to school...first the Intermediate school for Noah and Baylee. We didn't know if Savannah could still take the shuttle to the high school, so I had to go there too...oh and it's across town. Which is ordinarily no big deal, unless you are going for the first time, with a GPS and one other kid to get to his school.
But we made it and I got Caleb to his school...WITHOUT GETTING LOST. Until I tried to get home. I even knew how to get home...but I followed the GPS, thinking it knew a short cut. It didn't. I got lost, but I got home eventually.
Once I got home, I called all of the schools, made sure they knew the kids weren't going to be on the bus anymore. Found out Savannah could still take the shuttle, so I won't have to drive to the high school...YAY.
And once I got home. I cried some more.
Then I worked. Then my piano tuner came. He tuned our upright and gave me an estimate for the 'New' old baby grand that we bought. He can actually fix it and make it playable. YAY! But he is having surgery, so we have to wait a couple of months....thank goodness he is in our ward, so every time he sees me he will remember.
Then the AT&T guy came. We got our first bill for cable and went, I don't think so. I'll have to dedicate a post to how freakin' expensive everything is here (as a preview...Milk is $4 per gallon). So we are switching to AT&T U-verse...and I get a $400 gift card and a discount on our cell phones...so yeah, we are totally switching.
But it took the AT&T guy 6 hours to get everything switched because the wiring in this house is a little off...just like everything else.
And I had to kick him out when I went to pick up the kids from school. Which took me 45 minutes because it's just weird here. And Baylee was really, really mad it took so long to get her.
But our water cooler came too, so after the AT&T guy left we went to get water bottles...and Caleb was horrible. He still wasn't dealing with the stress of the day before. Sigh....how do I fix this one?
We did make it through the day...with some tears, but we did make it. That's saying something. What? I don't know...it's just saying something.
I drove the kids to school...first the Intermediate school for Noah and Baylee. We didn't know if Savannah could still take the shuttle to the high school, so I had to go there too...oh and it's across town. Which is ordinarily no big deal, unless you are going for the first time, with a GPS and one other kid to get to his school.
But we made it and I got Caleb to his school...WITHOUT GETTING LOST. Until I tried to get home. I even knew how to get home...but I followed the GPS, thinking it knew a short cut. It didn't. I got lost, but I got home eventually.
Once I got home, I called all of the schools, made sure they knew the kids weren't going to be on the bus anymore. Found out Savannah could still take the shuttle, so I won't have to drive to the high school...YAY.
And once I got home. I cried some more.
Then I worked. Then my piano tuner came. He tuned our upright and gave me an estimate for the 'New' old baby grand that we bought. He can actually fix it and make it playable. YAY! But he is having surgery, so we have to wait a couple of months....thank goodness he is in our ward, so every time he sees me he will remember.
Then the AT&T guy came. We got our first bill for cable and went, I don't think so. I'll have to dedicate a post to how freakin' expensive everything is here (as a preview...Milk is $4 per gallon). So we are switching to AT&T U-verse...and I get a $400 gift card and a discount on our cell phones...so yeah, we are totally switching.
But it took the AT&T guy 6 hours to get everything switched because the wiring in this house is a little off...just like everything else.
And I had to kick him out when I went to pick up the kids from school. Which took me 45 minutes because it's just weird here. And Baylee was really, really mad it took so long to get her.
But our water cooler came too, so after the AT&T guy left we went to get water bottles...and Caleb was horrible. He still wasn't dealing with the stress of the day before. Sigh....how do I fix this one?
We did make it through the day...with some tears, but we did make it. That's saying something. What? I don't know...it's just saying something.
Day 24: Wednesday from Hell
I apologize for the swearing...but it really isn't swearing when that is where you feel like you have spent the day.
The morning was dedicated to Baylee and her first rheumatology appointment in Saint Louis. Some good news, some not so good. But as usual we will take it one step at a time and make the best of it. We are a little unnerved about being in the oncology clinic...but in all things there is purpose...we will figure out what our purpose there is.
After I got dropped off, I got home, got the mail and received a wonderful gift from my Mom...a DISNEY bracelet! YAY. It was beautiful and wonderful and I love it. I was waiting to call and say thank you when the kids got home from school so they could talk too. It didn't work out quite that way.
The afternoon was dedicated to us coping with Caleb's beatdown on the bus. I just can't type it again, so you will have to look HERE for the 411.
I called my mom in the middle of the crazy, and told her thank you for the bracelet, but that I couldn't be super excited because....and then I told her about Caleb.
We stayed fairly close to home the rest of the day. Savannah had Young Women's and I was watching one of the YW counselors kids. They are moving and had to get rid of their turtles, so we let them go into the lake so they could be free!
We had a turtle party that night....complete with turtle cupcakes....It was a fun way to wrap up an otherwise horrid day.
The morning was dedicated to Baylee and her first rheumatology appointment in Saint Louis. Some good news, some not so good. But as usual we will take it one step at a time and make the best of it. We are a little unnerved about being in the oncology clinic...but in all things there is purpose...we will figure out what our purpose there is.
After I got dropped off, I got home, got the mail and received a wonderful gift from my Mom...a DISNEY bracelet! YAY. It was beautiful and wonderful and I love it. I was waiting to call and say thank you when the kids got home from school so they could talk too. It didn't work out quite that way.
The afternoon was dedicated to us coping with Caleb's beatdown on the bus. I just can't type it again, so you will have to look HERE for the 411.
I called my mom in the middle of the crazy, and told her thank you for the bracelet, but that I couldn't be super excited because....and then I told her about Caleb.
We stayed fairly close to home the rest of the day. Savannah had Young Women's and I was watching one of the YW counselors kids. They are moving and had to get rid of their turtles, so we let them go into the lake so they could be free!
We had a turtle party that night....complete with turtle cupcakes....It was a fun way to wrap up an otherwise horrid day.
Day 23: All I Wanna Do
You know. All I really wanted to do was register my cars. It didn't happen. In fact, it still hasn't happened. Maybe next week.
I spent about 3 hours running around town (and the town ain't that big) trying to get everything I needed for registration. Let's just say it was incredibly frustrating. If you want more detail, it's right HERE.
Once I had as much done as I possibly could, I had to work. Then I had to clean the house. Why is my house never cleaned? It isn't for lack of effort...
We had a relatively quiet day. I think I was trying to gear up for our first rheumatology appointment the next day.
The kids are settling into a routine, getting homework done, dinner made...yada, yada.
Baylee had to catch more tadpoles because the ones from the day before were left in the sun and they boiled to death. Somewhat gruesome death....
The lake is beautiful to see everyday (even though it really is like a pond), but gross. Really, really gross. And the geese and all of the geese poo...Super YUCK.
I spent about 3 hours running around town (and the town ain't that big) trying to get everything I needed for registration. Let's just say it was incredibly frustrating. If you want more detail, it's right HERE.
Once I had as much done as I possibly could, I had to work. Then I had to clean the house. Why is my house never cleaned? It isn't for lack of effort...
We had a relatively quiet day. I think I was trying to gear up for our first rheumatology appointment the next day.
The kids are settling into a routine, getting homework done, dinner made...yada, yada.
Baylee had to catch more tadpoles because the ones from the day before were left in the sun and they boiled to death. Somewhat gruesome death....
The lake is beautiful to see everyday (even though it really is like a pond), but gross. Really, really gross. And the geese and all of the geese poo...Super YUCK.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Day 22: Monday Rolls Around Again
Monday.
Sometimes that is all you can say. This is not one of those times.
The kids made it off to school. It was a lot harder this morning. And Felix left to Ohio. It is his second trip in the three weeks we have been here. I'm not so happy about that.
I was very, very lonely all day. The dog and I are having a hard time without the kiddos around.
But once they got home...chaos ensued. Savannah and I did shopping for a shelter in the area that our ward is trying to help support. Baylee and Caleb caught 19 tadpoles. GROSS!
I finally got sick of the kids rooms being messy, and promised them Thai food if they got them clean. Yes, Thai....in little Farmington, MO. My neighbor is from Thailand and runs a restaurant...IT IS DIVINE! And to Pad Thai we went.
Their rooms were mostly clean....but I'm a sucker, and I wanted Thai food.
We got everyone's homework done and off to bed. I couldn't sleep...sigh, that sucks. The Ambien kicked in around midnight and six hours wasn't long enough. I guess Tuesday came earlier than I expected.
Sometimes that is all you can say. This is not one of those times.
The kids made it off to school. It was a lot harder this morning. And Felix left to Ohio. It is his second trip in the three weeks we have been here. I'm not so happy about that.
I was very, very lonely all day. The dog and I are having a hard time without the kiddos around.
But once they got home...chaos ensued. Savannah and I did shopping for a shelter in the area that our ward is trying to help support. Baylee and Caleb caught 19 tadpoles. GROSS!
I finally got sick of the kids rooms being messy, and promised them Thai food if they got them clean. Yes, Thai....in little Farmington, MO. My neighbor is from Thailand and runs a restaurant...IT IS DIVINE! And to Pad Thai we went.
Their rooms were mostly clean....but I'm a sucker, and I wanted Thai food.
We got everyone's homework done and off to bed. I couldn't sleep...sigh, that sucks. The Ambien kicked in around midnight and six hours wasn't long enough. I guess Tuesday came earlier than I expected.
Day 21: Beautiful Sunday
I was nervous and not sure if I could handle another day of church. You never know what might happen.
Thankfully, it was a pretty low key Sunday, nothing wild and crazy happened. Except for getting a new calling, oh yeah and being asked to speak. It's only been ONE MONTH! Sigh....the counselor in the Bishopric said people usually speak at least every 6 months. I'm being punished for pride in my 10 year 3 day record.
Other than that, it was a nice Sunday.
Quiet, relaxing and mostly....quiet.
Thankfully, it was a pretty low key Sunday, nothing wild and crazy happened. Except for getting a new calling, oh yeah and being asked to speak. It's only been ONE MONTH! Sigh....the counselor in the Bishopric said people usually speak at least every 6 months. I'm being punished for pride in my 10 year 3 day record.
Other than that, it was a nice Sunday.
Quiet, relaxing and mostly....quiet.
Day 20: So much to do, so little time
We started the day at the buttcrack of dawn because the kids couldn't sleep. Really? It was my day to sleep in.
Fine, if you're awake, you be working! We tackled the basement. I can proudly say it is now 85% of the way done. It is an unfinished basement, so it will never have that finished look, but it has a steel beam reinforced ceiling and 3 sides are concrete...so we are going to be hanging out there a ton....'specially during tornado season.
The food is finally unpacked...YAY! But we are missing weird, weird things. And we found a marshmallow packed in one of the boxes. Yeah, a marshmallow! Don't get me started....I don't like the packers...I may never like the packers.
Then we took a bit of a break before we had to drive an hour and half to Stake Standards night.
While I was vegging, watching TV my T-Mobile phone rang...could it be? It was....the T-Mobile rep I waiting for. HA HA...I was ready for the fight. It was anti-climatic. This is WHY.
So then we were headed out for standards night. We got everyone in the car, and we were off. It really was an hour and a half away. CRAZY!
I went to the meeting with Savannah and Felix took the other three to check out Cape Girardeau. Savannah and I had a really neat, quiet time. Felix and the other three got lost, ended up in the ghetto and didn't have a good time.
When the meeting was over, we took advantage of the fact there were places to eat and went to, bum, didee bum...the Olive Garden. How cliche. HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Then we took the journey home. We were gone for 6 1/2 hours for an 1 and 45 minute meeting. That is something to get used to.
Fine, if you're awake, you be working! We tackled the basement. I can proudly say it is now 85% of the way done. It is an unfinished basement, so it will never have that finished look, but it has a steel beam reinforced ceiling and 3 sides are concrete...so we are going to be hanging out there a ton....'specially during tornado season.
The food is finally unpacked...YAY! But we are missing weird, weird things. And we found a marshmallow packed in one of the boxes. Yeah, a marshmallow! Don't get me started....I don't like the packers...I may never like the packers.
Then we took a bit of a break before we had to drive an hour and half to Stake Standards night.
While I was vegging, watching TV my T-Mobile phone rang...could it be? It was....the T-Mobile rep I waiting for. HA HA...I was ready for the fight. It was anti-climatic. This is WHY.
So then we were headed out for standards night. We got everyone in the car, and we were off. It really was an hour and a half away. CRAZY!
I went to the meeting with Savannah and Felix took the other three to check out Cape Girardeau. Savannah and I had a really neat, quiet time. Felix and the other three got lost, ended up in the ghetto and didn't have a good time.
When the meeting was over, we took advantage of the fact there were places to eat and went to, bum, didee bum...the Olive Garden. How cliche. HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Then we took the journey home. We were gone for 6 1/2 hours for an 1 and 45 minute meeting. That is something to get used to.
Day 19: What The....?
So many of you know that I had a fight with T-Mobile today. Here are the DETS (pronounced deets).
Alright...I admit it...I was totally obsessed about it all day. I did tons of research, got the SEC's phone number and I was ready.
The kids ended up surviving their first week of school, it was only 3 days, but no one got beat up, left behind or died. It was a good week. They did learn lots of interesting things on the bus, we are still trying to figure out how we feel about that.
Savannah ended up babysitting (again, already!), and the other kids...well, we made them start on the basement. It didn't get that far. I highly doubt it ever will. But I got through even more of the food storage until I found the cinnamon I bought for Grandma and then I lost it. Oh....it is still so fresh....and I miss Grandma so much.
I think I finally pooped out. Savannah got home and I remember getting everyone to bed and zoning out. Saturday...I get to sleep in! YAY.
We had done another run to the dump and we ran errands for most of the day. It had been an extremely long week, and I was done.
Alright...I admit it...I was totally obsessed about it all day. I did tons of research, got the SEC's phone number and I was ready.
The kids ended up surviving their first week of school, it was only 3 days, but no one got beat up, left behind or died. It was a good week. They did learn lots of interesting things on the bus, we are still trying to figure out how we feel about that.
Savannah ended up babysitting (again, already!), and the other kids...well, we made them start on the basement. It didn't get that far. I highly doubt it ever will. But I got through even more of the food storage until I found the cinnamon I bought for Grandma and then I lost it. Oh....it is still so fresh....and I miss Grandma so much.
I think I finally pooped out. Savannah got home and I remember getting everyone to bed and zoning out. Saturday...I get to sleep in! YAY.
We had done another run to the dump and we ran errands for most of the day. It had been an extremely long week, and I was done.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Day 18: Unleaded please
The second day of school was much better for them. I don't think it was easier for me, but I do know they got picked up at 7:15 and home at 3:50. And the high schoolers toned down the language a smidge. They just have to prove they are at the top of the food chain.
I kept myself busy. Thank goodness my VT was coming over. I actually know them both, and they are both newbies like me. One is from Mesa, AZ and one is from kind of all over, but most recently Lehi, UT. So we're good.
We had a wonderful visit and I felt a little less lonely. But near the end of the visit I got a whole lot more freaked out.
Sorry for the TMI portion of this post, but my stomach has been funky since we got here. I have been chalking it up to stress....but now I think it may be related to the LEAD in the water. And did I mention the extraordinary levels of radium and all sorts of other things that show up on the periodic table of elements? Oh yeah, they also failed their monthly EPA testing because of high levels of bacteria.
Maybe that is why the pets are puking too....
So uh, yeah. I ordered a water cooler. I got a good deal and it will be here mid week next week. I also went to the store and bought a ton of bottled water to get us by. Even the dog and cats are getting bottled water right now too.
Too bad I forgot and let the kids have Top Ramen.
Did I mention there is a warning on the city water bill about the water?
Unleaded please....I'm an unleaded kind of gal.
I kept myself busy. Thank goodness my VT was coming over. I actually know them both, and they are both newbies like me. One is from Mesa, AZ and one is from kind of all over, but most recently Lehi, UT. So we're good.
We had a wonderful visit and I felt a little less lonely. But near the end of the visit I got a whole lot more freaked out.
Sorry for the TMI portion of this post, but my stomach has been funky since we got here. I have been chalking it up to stress....but now I think it may be related to the LEAD in the water. And did I mention the extraordinary levels of radium and all sorts of other things that show up on the periodic table of elements? Oh yeah, they also failed their monthly EPA testing because of high levels of bacteria.
Maybe that is why the pets are puking too....
So uh, yeah. I ordered a water cooler. I got a good deal and it will be here mid week next week. I also went to the store and bought a ton of bottled water to get us by. Even the dog and cats are getting bottled water right now too.
Too bad I forgot and let the kids have Top Ramen.
Did I mention there is a warning on the city water bill about the water?
Unleaded please....I'm an unleaded kind of gal.
Day 17: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Can I just say how we were all dreading this day?
We were all up bright and early...6:20 to be exact. The bus was supposed to come at 7:10. Yes, that is A.M.
Of course, since it was the first day of school, everyone was up bright and early. Dressed and ready to go. The schools here feed the kids breakfast (FOR FREE), so they were totally excited.
We were out and on the corner for pickup at 7:05. Backpacks, necessities, lunches, etc. We were ready.
We were still ready at 7:10.
We were less ready at 7:15.
We were completely not ready at 7:20 when I went to get the car and drive them.
Then the bus came. They got on. I went into the house. I sat down. I didn't cry...but I wanted to.
It was a long day. I got some stuff done. In between the fretting, pacing and wondering. I only walked to the car one time to do a drive by each of the schools. I went back into the house instead.
Then...YAY! It was 3:30...they should be home soon.
It was 3:45...
It was 3:50...
It was 3:55...
It was 4:00...
I called Felix and said, when do I panic? Five more minutes. Savannah wasn't answering her cell or texts. Something was wrong.
She finally answered they were on their way. They got home at 4:15. Yeah, this whole bus thing...totally not going to work for me.
So here is the days summary:
Savannah - I made it to the high school and back to the middle school. Worked out Homeroom with my Science Teacher, got into the advanced placement program and the food is TOTALLY gross.
Noah - I made a friend before school. Our classes were together, then they changed my whole schedule so I could go to the junior high for math.
Baylee - I have Belle in all of my 3rd period classes! Yay...can I have a snack?
Caleb - Do you remember when I thought Ms. Conaway was nice? I was wrong. And school lunch is yummy? What about the lunch I packed you? I saved it for after school.
So we all survived....and they all learned some new words on the bus. They mostly start with "F" and "S". Use your imagination people.
We were all up bright and early...6:20 to be exact. The bus was supposed to come at 7:10. Yes, that is A.M.
Of course, since it was the first day of school, everyone was up bright and early. Dressed and ready to go. The schools here feed the kids breakfast (FOR FREE), so they were totally excited.
We were out and on the corner for pickup at 7:05. Backpacks, necessities, lunches, etc. We were ready.
We were still ready at 7:10.
We were less ready at 7:15.
We were completely not ready at 7:20 when I went to get the car and drive them.
Then the bus came. They got on. I went into the house. I sat down. I didn't cry...but I wanted to.
It was a long day. I got some stuff done. In between the fretting, pacing and wondering. I only walked to the car one time to do a drive by each of the schools. I went back into the house instead.
Then...YAY! It was 3:30...they should be home soon.
It was 3:45...
It was 3:50...
It was 3:55...
It was 4:00...
I called Felix and said, when do I panic? Five more minutes. Savannah wasn't answering her cell or texts. Something was wrong.
She finally answered they were on their way. They got home at 4:15. Yeah, this whole bus thing...totally not going to work for me.
So here is the days summary:
Savannah - I made it to the high school and back to the middle school. Worked out Homeroom with my Science Teacher, got into the advanced placement program and the food is TOTALLY gross.
Noah - I made a friend before school. Our classes were together, then they changed my whole schedule so I could go to the junior high for math.
Baylee - I have Belle in all of my 3rd period classes! Yay...can I have a snack?
Caleb - Do you remember when I thought Ms. Conaway was nice? I was wrong. And school lunch is yummy? What about the lunch I packed you? I saved it for after school.
So we all survived....and they all learned some new words on the bus. They mostly start with "F" and "S". Use your imagination people.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Day 16: And the Unpacking Continues
It's the day before school starts. We are a little freaked out. So I tried to unpack food storage to keep my mind occupied. It didn't work so well.
I started unpacking food storage. What a nightmare. I totally believe in food storage, but man, moving it is a total nightmare. I got about halfway. Then I completely gave up. It's just plain never going to be done.
I tried cleaning other stuff...that didn't work either.
So finally sometime in the afternoon, Savannah and I went to the AT&T store. I highly doubt I have explained the way AT&T works here. Actually, it is the only thing that works here. Most cell phones will get reception, but it is very unreliable. VERY UNRELIABLE. And yet T-Mobile won't let me out of my congtract...even though I never knew when I was going to be able to use the phone. I'm so freakin' excited that AT&T and T-Mobile are merging....NOT.
Anyhoo, I digress. We got our new phones last week, but Caleb was such a nightmare in the store, I had to leave before my phone was set up. And I confess....I did get an iPhone, because if I'm gonna go....I'm gonna go big.
Again, I digress. But Savannah and I went and 2 hours later, my phone was working the way it was supposed to. Savannah had already gotten a scratch on her phone, which is shocking in and of itself because she is so responsible. We tried to fix it. No such luck.
By then it was time to make dinner. OH YEAH, a distraction.
We had dinner, tried to get everything ready for the morning. Felix and I had to run an errand, then we brought smoothies back for the kids and got ready to do our back to school blessings.
Oh how grateful I am for the Priesthood and that my husband is a worthy Preisthood holder. Each of the children received a unique and beautiful blessing that helped us all feel better.
We finished up with family prayer and said goodnight, where I prayed my little heart out for my babies until I fell asleep.
I started unpacking food storage. What a nightmare. I totally believe in food storage, but man, moving it is a total nightmare. I got about halfway. Then I completely gave up. It's just plain never going to be done.
I tried cleaning other stuff...that didn't work either.
So finally sometime in the afternoon, Savannah and I went to the AT&T store. I highly doubt I have explained the way AT&T works here. Actually, it is the only thing that works here. Most cell phones will get reception, but it is very unreliable. VERY UNRELIABLE. And yet T-Mobile won't let me out of my congtract...even though I never knew when I was going to be able to use the phone. I'm so freakin' excited that AT&T and T-Mobile are merging....NOT.
Anyhoo, I digress. We got our new phones last week, but Caleb was such a nightmare in the store, I had to leave before my phone was set up. And I confess....I did get an iPhone, because if I'm gonna go....I'm gonna go big.
Again, I digress. But Savannah and I went and 2 hours later, my phone was working the way it was supposed to. Savannah had already gotten a scratch on her phone, which is shocking in and of itself because she is so responsible. We tried to fix it. No such luck.
By then it was time to make dinner. OH YEAH, a distraction.
We had dinner, tried to get everything ready for the morning. Felix and I had to run an errand, then we brought smoothies back for the kids and got ready to do our back to school blessings.
Oh how grateful I am for the Priesthood and that my husband is a worthy Preisthood holder. Each of the children received a unique and beautiful blessing that helped us all feel better.
We finished up with family prayer and said goodnight, where I prayed my little heart out for my babies until I fell asleep.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Day 15: Monday
Sometimes there just isn't anything else to be said.
I started unpacking the food storage today. Yeah, that's been kind of rough. It's heavy and thanks to our fine packers, there have been so many boxes mis-marked that everything was put in the wrong place and I am having to move stuff as I unpack....not a fun game.
I haven't made the kids do too much either, especially since school starts on Wednesday and they are pretty wound up about it.
Since we lost Caleb when we did our last dry runs through the schools, we did another today. It went much better. Feeling, grateful Caleb was with us the whole time.
Only 2 more days and my babies are going to be gone from 7:10 am to 3:40 pm. What am I going to do?
Maybe my house will finally be clean.
I started unpacking the food storage today. Yeah, that's been kind of rough. It's heavy and thanks to our fine packers, there have been so many boxes mis-marked that everything was put in the wrong place and I am having to move stuff as I unpack....not a fun game.
I haven't made the kids do too much either, especially since school starts on Wednesday and they are pretty wound up about it.
Since we lost Caleb when we did our last dry runs through the schools, we did another today. It went much better. Feeling, grateful Caleb was with us the whole time.
Only 2 more days and my babies are going to be gone from 7:10 am to 3:40 pm. What am I going to do?
Maybe my house will finally be clean.
Day 14: Welcome, Welcome Sabbath Morning
I have so much to get used to here, and that includes church.
It was nice to be able to go and know a few people this week. But that doesn't make it any less adventurous.
The Young Women's presidency was released and a new one was put in. Only there is the YW President and a 1st counselor. That's it. Oh, and they added a 3rd Counselor to Relief Society. Yeah (but according to the RS President there is nothing in writing that says she can't).
One of the talks was from one of the other 'newbies' in the ward and the other was from a grizzled veteran that thinks we have turned away from our Christian roots and the country is going asunder...guess what he spoke about. Yup, politics.
Sunday School was pretty normal, and yes I spent my time trying to download the Gospel Library onto my new iPhone. Okay, fine, I caved. But AT&T is the only carrier with a decent signal here and why make the jump if I couldn't be cool.
Relief Society. Ummmm, this is a family friendly blog, so I will be vague. The lesson was on morality. The comments were not that tame. 'Nuff said.
And with that, I am officially campaigning for a Primary or Young Womens calling.
It was nice to be able to go and know a few people this week. But that doesn't make it any less adventurous.
The Young Women's presidency was released and a new one was put in. Only there is the YW President and a 1st counselor. That's it. Oh, and they added a 3rd Counselor to Relief Society. Yeah (but according to the RS President there is nothing in writing that says she can't).
One of the talks was from one of the other 'newbies' in the ward and the other was from a grizzled veteran that thinks we have turned away from our Christian roots and the country is going asunder...guess what he spoke about. Yup, politics.
Sunday School was pretty normal, and yes I spent my time trying to download the Gospel Library onto my new iPhone. Okay, fine, I caved. But AT&T is the only carrier with a decent signal here and why make the jump if I couldn't be cool.
Relief Society. Ummmm, this is a family friendly blog, so I will be vague. The lesson was on morality. The comments were not that tame. 'Nuff said.
And with that, I am officially campaigning for a Primary or Young Womens calling.
Day 13: Awwwwww, Saturday
Yeah, Saturday doesn't matter. Why? Because I'm trying to finish unpacking (which will never be done), get the kids ready for school and not have a nervous breakdown....ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
That pretty much sums up my day.
That pretty much sums up my day.
Day 12: JUST DO WHAT SHE SAYS
So through my UNPACKING and UNPACKING and UNPACKING, we have accumulated quite a stash in the garage. One side of the garage is full of broken down boxes, and the other side is full of the 50+ bags of packing packing (in contractor size bags no less!).
So Friday morning, Felix took a break for a couple of hours and we decided to find the recycling facility. Yeah, they recycle here. They are totally green....ummmmmm, no.
We finally found one location (that answered their phone) and confirmed that they are indeed a recycling, landfill type facility.
We loaded Felix's GPS (and one day I will blog about his GPS Ho), loaded the car to capacity and then some and off we went. We started driving, and driving, and driving. About 20 minutes away we finally got the next instruction to turn. Then we meandered through this teeny, tiny town and eventually made it to the road the recycler was supposed to be on.
The GPS said turn, so Felix turned. It could have been a recycling facility. Even with the trailer and the backhoe and the semi. I knew we were in the wrong place when Felix turned the corner and we were face to face with a couple of good 'ol boys in their overalls lookin' like they were going to go and get their shotguns. No, really.
We got off their property really, really fast.
Then we went down the road a bit more and found it! PHEW! It consisted of a dumpster for paper, a dumpster for boxes, a dumpster for plastics, etc. We pretty much filled up the dumpster on our first load. Then we meandered back for another.
We got home and loaded the car for another trip. This time we tried an 'alternate route'. We got there fine. We didn't get home fine.
We kept ignoring the lady in the GPS because certainly we knew where we were going. Ummmmm....we didn't. About the time I got hysterical because I kept hearing the theme from "Deliverance" in my head, we started listening to the lady telling us where to go (and it wasn't Aytch EEEEEE Double Hockey Sticks).
We made it to the highway, then home.
I kept unpacking....this is never going to end.
That afternoon we had our first scary storm. When I say storm, I don't mean rain...we've had plenty of that. The dark clouds rolled in. The wind picked up, scary fast. Then it rained so hard the water was pouring down the side of the house. And the lightening. The lightening was scary.
The kids each went and grabbed a pet. There were no alarms and Felix was home and he kept telling us not to worry. We worried...it's what we do.
Then we went to the basement and realized that all of our big windows suck. We waited out the worst of the storm and then went to the Primary Activity.
Have I mentioned how nice people are here. They really, really are. Everyone was very concerned about our emotional state after the storm and then they were kind enough to tell us that wasn't the worst of it.
Awwwwww.....thanks.
So Friday morning, Felix took a break for a couple of hours and we decided to find the recycling facility. Yeah, they recycle here. They are totally green....ummmmmm, no.
We finally found one location (that answered their phone) and confirmed that they are indeed a recycling, landfill type facility.
We loaded Felix's GPS (and one day I will blog about his GPS Ho), loaded the car to capacity and then some and off we went. We started driving, and driving, and driving. About 20 minutes away we finally got the next instruction to turn. Then we meandered through this teeny, tiny town and eventually made it to the road the recycler was supposed to be on.
The GPS said turn, so Felix turned. It could have been a recycling facility. Even with the trailer and the backhoe and the semi. I knew we were in the wrong place when Felix turned the corner and we were face to face with a couple of good 'ol boys in their overalls lookin' like they were going to go and get their shotguns. No, really.
We got off their property really, really fast.
Then we went down the road a bit more and found it! PHEW! It consisted of a dumpster for paper, a dumpster for boxes, a dumpster for plastics, etc. We pretty much filled up the dumpster on our first load. Then we meandered back for another.
We got home and loaded the car for another trip. This time we tried an 'alternate route'. We got there fine. We didn't get home fine.
We kept ignoring the lady in the GPS because certainly we knew where we were going. Ummmmm....we didn't. About the time I got hysterical because I kept hearing the theme from "Deliverance" in my head, we started listening to the lady telling us where to go (and it wasn't Aytch EEEEEE Double Hockey Sticks).
We made it to the highway, then home.
I kept unpacking....this is never going to end.
That afternoon we had our first scary storm. When I say storm, I don't mean rain...we've had plenty of that. The dark clouds rolled in. The wind picked up, scary fast. Then it rained so hard the water was pouring down the side of the house. And the lightening. The lightening was scary.
The kids each went and grabbed a pet. There were no alarms and Felix was home and he kept telling us not to worry. We worried...it's what we do.
Then we went to the basement and realized that all of our big windows suck. We waited out the worst of the storm and then went to the Primary Activity.
Have I mentioned how nice people are here. They really, really are. Everyone was very concerned about our emotional state after the storm and then they were kind enough to tell us that wasn't the worst of it.
Awwwwww.....thanks.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Day 11: Recovery
Brother Blum (pronounced bloom) gave me a lot to think about from our conversation the night before. So I was definitely trying to get myself out of my melancholy place and figure out why the hud I was here.
Besides, we had back to school night and I still had boxes to unpack. I hate unpacking. I'm just saying.
Caleb's back to school night was from 5-7, and we got there like 10 minutes after 5. The place was packed. We had to park down the street...it was INSANE! But we found the cafeteria (a very important place, since that is where Caleb will be eating breakfast and lunch!), found his classroom and met his teacher! She is great!
The only bummer...okay, not only...is that Caleb was such a late registrant, that his desk packet wasn't ready. But that's okay...it's all good.
The other thing that was a little nerve wracking was finding out that in the morning, Caleb would get dropped off at school...in the afternoon...he had to take a shuttle to the bus and then the bus home. But by the time he gets to the bus, Savannah, Noah and Baylee will all be there. Here they do buses by family...not by school. Interesting, but it does make it a little easier knowing Caleb won't be completely alone on a bus.
We ran home, picked up the rest of the kiddos and made it to Noah and Baylee's open house. We met Baylee's teachers, found her locker, did the whole bus thing...yada, yada, yada and then went to do
Noah's.
We found Noah's first class and then realized Caleb was gone. I thought he was just outside the door, but after Savannah peeked out, then Felix peeked out and there was no Caleb. We split into teams and went searching. Let me reiterate. Back to school night here is huge. There were people everywhere. And I mean everywhere!!!!
We all took our designated routes and when we all met up and Caleb was still gone. I started to cry. I ran to the front office to get help and Savannah came around another corner where she spied my sweet baby sitting on the couch crying.
We found him.
I'll give more details on the other blog...but there were tears and sighs of relief and then we finished talking to Noah's teachers, found out what we needed to do to get him in the right math class and then went back to the office to start the process.
Then we were off to Savannah's school. We found her home room, then found out that she would be at the high school for her first couple of classes for the day. And then we found out about her bus transfers. WOWZERS!
I was too pooped to cook that night. I just was. Quick dinner and bed. That was all I had left.
Besides, we had back to school night and I still had boxes to unpack. I hate unpacking. I'm just saying.
Caleb's back to school night was from 5-7, and we got there like 10 minutes after 5. The place was packed. We had to park down the street...it was INSANE! But we found the cafeteria (a very important place, since that is where Caleb will be eating breakfast and lunch!), found his classroom and met his teacher! She is great!
The only bummer...okay, not only...is that Caleb was such a late registrant, that his desk packet wasn't ready. But that's okay...it's all good.
The other thing that was a little nerve wracking was finding out that in the morning, Caleb would get dropped off at school...in the afternoon...he had to take a shuttle to the bus and then the bus home. But by the time he gets to the bus, Savannah, Noah and Baylee will all be there. Here they do buses by family...not by school. Interesting, but it does make it a little easier knowing Caleb won't be completely alone on a bus.
We ran home, picked up the rest of the kiddos and made it to Noah and Baylee's open house. We met Baylee's teachers, found her locker, did the whole bus thing...yada, yada, yada and then went to do
Noah's.
We found Noah's first class and then realized Caleb was gone. I thought he was just outside the door, but after Savannah peeked out, then Felix peeked out and there was no Caleb. We split into teams and went searching. Let me reiterate. Back to school night here is huge. There were people everywhere. And I mean everywhere!!!!
We all took our designated routes and when we all met up and Caleb was still gone. I started to cry. I ran to the front office to get help and Savannah came around another corner where she spied my sweet baby sitting on the couch crying.
We found him.
I'll give more details on the other blog...but there were tears and sighs of relief and then we finished talking to Noah's teachers, found out what we needed to do to get him in the right math class and then went back to the office to start the process.
Then we were off to Savannah's school. We found her home room, then found out that she would be at the high school for her first couple of classes for the day. And then we found out about her bus transfers. WOWZERS!
I was too pooped to cook that night. I just was. Quick dinner and bed. That was all I had left.
Day 10: Is That Why I'm Here?
So I woke up in the doom and gloom of the previous days meltdown...but the boxes weren't going to open themselves.
I was able to pull myself out of my crazy and attempt to pull myself back together. At some point during the day I decided that maybe I was being a little rough on myself. I had moved 1000 miles, and completely changed everything in my world....and my childrens' world....and my pets world....and we were all having a little bit of trouble adjusting. But we would....eventually.
So Savannah had Young Womens that night, Baylee was meeting some friends to learn a dance for the primary activity on Friday night and Felix was going to be home sometime around midnight. So we were off.
I dropped Savannah off, waited with Baylee, and unfortunately her friends weren't able to make it...so tears and tears later....I was chase down and told one of the counselors in the bishopric wanted to talk to me.
Long story, super short...it was an interview to see what callings I felt I could handle. Basically after spilling my guts...actually I was rather contained, for me anyway. And my answer to callings was, I would go where Heavenly Father wanted me. My schedule was always unpredictable, but if He needed me somewhere, He would make it all work.
Then the conversation turned to sports. Sport are big here. Did I mention, sports are HUGE here?
Then the conversation turned to why I was in Missouri. How did we get there? We were talking about Lacrosse, and the fact that was the only sport not in the town. But I digress....
The counselor said he was talking to the High Councilman about why so many people from out of state were coming to Farmington. The High Councilman reiterated the revelation from Parley P. Pratt, talking about how the Saints from the West would return to Missouri to strengthen the Saints.
Is that why I'm here? Have they met me?
I was able to pull myself out of my crazy and attempt to pull myself back together. At some point during the day I decided that maybe I was being a little rough on myself. I had moved 1000 miles, and completely changed everything in my world....and my childrens' world....and my pets world....and we were all having a little bit of trouble adjusting. But we would....eventually.
So Savannah had Young Womens that night, Baylee was meeting some friends to learn a dance for the primary activity on Friday night and Felix was going to be home sometime around midnight. So we were off.
I dropped Savannah off, waited with Baylee, and unfortunately her friends weren't able to make it...so tears and tears later....I was chase down and told one of the counselors in the bishopric wanted to talk to me.
Long story, super short...it was an interview to see what callings I felt I could handle. Basically after spilling my guts...actually I was rather contained, for me anyway. And my answer to callings was, I would go where Heavenly Father wanted me. My schedule was always unpredictable, but if He needed me somewhere, He would make it all work.
Then the conversation turned to sports. Sport are big here. Did I mention, sports are HUGE here?
Then the conversation turned to why I was in Missouri. How did we get there? We were talking about Lacrosse, and the fact that was the only sport not in the town. But I digress....
The counselor said he was talking to the High Councilman about why so many people from out of state were coming to Farmington. The High Councilman reiterated the revelation from Parley P. Pratt, talking about how the Saints from the West would return to Missouri to strengthen the Saints.
Is that why I'm here? Have they met me?
Day 9: Breaking Down
Well, I managed to make it 9 whole days before I completely melted down. After days upon days of corrugated boxes, packing tape and packing papers...not to mention, trying to help my kids adjust to a new place, new time zone, school supplies, school clothes, food shopping, cleaning supplies....and cleaning the items they seemed to completely forget about...
I lost it. There are no other words. I completely lost it. Not even in a a nice way. Not even a little bit. I was so tired, so worn out....so lonely. I wouldn't even call my friends because I didn't like me....why would they?
It's been an adjustment. And I'm pooped. Emotionally, physically, spiritually.
The end.
I lost it. There are no other words. I completely lost it. Not even in a a nice way. Not even a little bit. I was so tired, so worn out....so lonely. I wouldn't even call my friends because I didn't like me....why would they?
It's been an adjustment. And I'm pooped. Emotionally, physically, spiritually.
The end.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Days 2-8: Breathe....Just Breathe
So because of the large span of time that has passed, I'm gonna have to play a little catch up.
August 2nd - Tuesday
I think I started cracking up this day. The kids and I sat at the house all day waiting for AT&T to show up and install our service. We got a call at 10 am that the order had been entered wrong, but they would be there by 8 pm. Yeah. They never came.
The Dish Network showed up at 11 am...and said they couldn't do the install because we didn't have TV's. Okay, I asked about that when I set up the install and they said it could be done....yeah, they were wrong.
Of course it was only the second day, so I got all of the kids registered for school. Not OCD, am I? Savannah gets to go to the high school for Geometry and Noah will probably go to the Jr. High for Algebra (we find out on Thursday night). The kids are excited for school...Baylee can't wait to get a locker...she thinks she's pretty cool.
Oh, and did I mention the heat? It was 102 degrees...and the heat index was 118. Did we go outside into the pool? No because we would have melted.
Humidity? Yeah, it sucks.
We finally went out to dinner and on the way out, I dropped my iPod, shattered the screen and gave up for the day. Sigh.
August 3rd - Wednesday
So we sat at the house again waiting for AT&T and again...no shows. Really. Many, many phone calls. Many, many promises. And I still didn't have service. But don't worry, they would be there by 8 pm. Too bad they weren't.
We finished Savannah's registration at school. She signed up for Volleyball (I'm so glad she is brave, because I'm totally not).
But on the flip side, our stuff managed to show up at about 3-ish. And the feverish unloading began. We didn't even do anything and we were all exhausted at the end of the day...how does that work? I'm guessing it was the heat that we were completely unaccustomed to. It was down to 96 degrees, with a heat index of 109. Oh, so much better.....NOT!!!!!!
We finally escaped for dinner around 9, and the truck was only half unloaded....what an unreal experience.
August 4th - Thursday
Yeah, more unloading. The night before, we just handed our house key to the driver and said, "See ya in the morning." It was probably safer for all of us if the kids were kind of out of the way while the major unloaded went on. Amazingly, they finished at about 2, right before our first storm rolled in.
Since to us, everything looks like a tornado, we kinda huddled in the house for a while. When the storm broke, we went and explored the furniture store. WE LOVED IT! (P.S. Dave G...RC Willey totally needs to invest in antiques as show pieces).
We wandered through the store, checking out all of the amazing things they had. They had a working antique Coke machine....I was drooling....that is on my list of things to acquire before I die. There is also a bayou type set up with a working mechanical shark, kinda like the Tour at Universal Studios....only when the shark pops up, it sprays you....yeah, in the middle of the store.
AT&T was supposed to show up by 8, but we didn't believe them, so we didn't feel bad about leaving.
We had such a good time, we bought Noah a mattress (oh don't get your panties in a wad, that was why we really went, he didn't have one) and an entertainment center (that one was a surprise, but needed because of the layout).
Then we went home and started the horribly frightening unpacking processing. By the time Felix got home, we had already filled 10 garbage bags with packing paper.
We did introduce the kids to Thai food that night (we have an in...the owner is our neighbor. She's from Thailand and the food is AMAZING). They all loved it and have begged for it again ever since.
We made Felix check us out of the hotel and pick up all of our stuff because we really wanted to start the 'settling in' process.
August 5th - Friday
The furniture was delivered, all while we were in the middle of TOTAL chaos. Sadly the entertainment center had a GIANT crack in it and I had to send it back. BUT, the furniture store is truly amazing and promised the replacement by the next day.
The washer/dryer and the guitars were unpacked. But the washer/dryer are intimidating and it took me several days to actually use them.
So really, what can I say about Friday. Other than....I called AT&T and told them off. I had called the local cable company, they got us on the 'triple play' for Tuesday, so I was no longer tied to waiting for AT&T. YAY! I was really looking forward to telling them where to stick it, but they didn't even try and keep me as a customer....fine, take the wind out of my sails....unpacking hadn't already done that for me.
DirecTV did try really hard to keep me. But I didn't feel bad not signing up for a 2 year contract.
August 6th - Saturday
Oh, let's see....what did we do today...Oh YEAH...UNPACKED.
And the new entertainment center came. It was - BEE-YOU-TI-FUL. I love it. It's perfect for what I needed.
We took a break in the afternoon and took Felix on a tour of the awesome furniture store. You know what, it's been a rough week and the furniture store is fun. It really takes very little to entertain us.
And while we were there, we bought a side table. I am not allowed to go to the furniture store anymore. But the kitchen wasn't designed for people who cook and there just plain wasn't enough counter space, hence, the side table.
August 7th - Sunday
Okay, I'll admit it. I was terrified for this day. YIKES.
The ward is fantastic...very small. It was a shock to go from 60 young women to 6. From 100+ primary kids to 20. A little intimidating. I thought every one knew everyone before....UNBELIEVABLE!
Everyone was so kind and we felt very welcome. But admit it...you can't be in that kind of setting without SOMETHING interesting happening so watch for it on my adventurous blog (when I have a little more time to do the story justice).
We also had one of the other 5 new families drop by to welcome us to the ward. He plays guitar...so Felix already has a buddy. The kids are adorable, so Savannah will be a sitter before long. And they have a cutie-patootie baby who I will be able to snuggle with from time to time (although I don't know that Chloe will keep me from missing my Sophie and Sydnee).
August 8th - Monday
Felix left for New York. Yup 7 days in a new state, 3 days in a new house and he already had to go.
So what did we do? We UNPACKED. As of this day, our 3 car garage is pretty much filled with flattened boxes and garbage bags full of paper. There is so much I actually have to call and order a dumpster.
We have been discover the weird things that were broken during the move. I'm still not happy about my pillow (especially since it was used as packing material for a TV), or my Disney platter. Or for that matter, the fact that the arm was ripped off of Baylee's NITB (new in the box) 16 inch porcelain, collectible Tinkerbelle. Yeah...REALLY NOT HAPPY.
It's pretty sad, but while we unpacked today all we could talk about was getting TV and Internet on Tuesday. We love each other....but we have had enough.
So that catches you up to Monday night. It's already Tuesday night (almost Wednesday), but I think Tuesday deserves it's own blog entry....so....we'll attempt to catch up tomorrow!
August 2nd - Tuesday
I think I started cracking up this day. The kids and I sat at the house all day waiting for AT&T to show up and install our service. We got a call at 10 am that the order had been entered wrong, but they would be there by 8 pm. Yeah. They never came.
The Dish Network showed up at 11 am...and said they couldn't do the install because we didn't have TV's. Okay, I asked about that when I set up the install and they said it could be done....yeah, they were wrong.
Of course it was only the second day, so I got all of the kids registered for school. Not OCD, am I? Savannah gets to go to the high school for Geometry and Noah will probably go to the Jr. High for Algebra (we find out on Thursday night). The kids are excited for school...Baylee can't wait to get a locker...she thinks she's pretty cool.
Oh, and did I mention the heat? It was 102 degrees...and the heat index was 118. Did we go outside into the pool? No because we would have melted.
Humidity? Yeah, it sucks.
We finally went out to dinner and on the way out, I dropped my iPod, shattered the screen and gave up for the day. Sigh.
August 3rd - Wednesday
So we sat at the house again waiting for AT&T and again...no shows. Really. Many, many phone calls. Many, many promises. And I still didn't have service. But don't worry, they would be there by 8 pm. Too bad they weren't.
We finished Savannah's registration at school. She signed up for Volleyball (I'm so glad she is brave, because I'm totally not).
But on the flip side, our stuff managed to show up at about 3-ish. And the feverish unloading began. We didn't even do anything and we were all exhausted at the end of the day...how does that work? I'm guessing it was the heat that we were completely unaccustomed to. It was down to 96 degrees, with a heat index of 109. Oh, so much better.....NOT!!!!!!
We finally escaped for dinner around 9, and the truck was only half unloaded....what an unreal experience.
August 4th - Thursday
Yeah, more unloading. The night before, we just handed our house key to the driver and said, "See ya in the morning." It was probably safer for all of us if the kids were kind of out of the way while the major unloaded went on. Amazingly, they finished at about 2, right before our first storm rolled in.
Since to us, everything looks like a tornado, we kinda huddled in the house for a while. When the storm broke, we went and explored the furniture store. WE LOVED IT! (P.S. Dave G...RC Willey totally needs to invest in antiques as show pieces).
We wandered through the store, checking out all of the amazing things they had. They had a working antique Coke machine....I was drooling....that is on my list of things to acquire before I die. There is also a bayou type set up with a working mechanical shark, kinda like the Tour at Universal Studios....only when the shark pops up, it sprays you....yeah, in the middle of the store.
AT&T was supposed to show up by 8, but we didn't believe them, so we didn't feel bad about leaving.
We had such a good time, we bought Noah a mattress (oh don't get your panties in a wad, that was why we really went, he didn't have one) and an entertainment center (that one was a surprise, but needed because of the layout).
Then we went home and started the horribly frightening unpacking processing. By the time Felix got home, we had already filled 10 garbage bags with packing paper.
We did introduce the kids to Thai food that night (we have an in...the owner is our neighbor. She's from Thailand and the food is AMAZING). They all loved it and have begged for it again ever since.
We made Felix check us out of the hotel and pick up all of our stuff because we really wanted to start the 'settling in' process.
August 5th - Friday
The furniture was delivered, all while we were in the middle of TOTAL chaos. Sadly the entertainment center had a GIANT crack in it and I had to send it back. BUT, the furniture store is truly amazing and promised the replacement by the next day.
The washer/dryer and the guitars were unpacked. But the washer/dryer are intimidating and it took me several days to actually use them.
So really, what can I say about Friday. Other than....I called AT&T and told them off. I had called the local cable company, they got us on the 'triple play' for Tuesday, so I was no longer tied to waiting for AT&T. YAY! I was really looking forward to telling them where to stick it, but they didn't even try and keep me as a customer....fine, take the wind out of my sails....unpacking hadn't already done that for me.
DirecTV did try really hard to keep me. But I didn't feel bad not signing up for a 2 year contract.
August 6th - Saturday
Oh, let's see....what did we do today...Oh YEAH...UNPACKED.
And the new entertainment center came. It was - BEE-YOU-TI-FUL. I love it. It's perfect for what I needed.
We took a break in the afternoon and took Felix on a tour of the awesome furniture store. You know what, it's been a rough week and the furniture store is fun. It really takes very little to entertain us.
And while we were there, we bought a side table. I am not allowed to go to the furniture store anymore. But the kitchen wasn't designed for people who cook and there just plain wasn't enough counter space, hence, the side table.
August 7th - Sunday
Okay, I'll admit it. I was terrified for this day. YIKES.
The ward is fantastic...very small. It was a shock to go from 60 young women to 6. From 100+ primary kids to 20. A little intimidating. I thought every one knew everyone before....UNBELIEVABLE!
Everyone was so kind and we felt very welcome. But admit it...you can't be in that kind of setting without SOMETHING interesting happening so watch for it on my adventurous blog (when I have a little more time to do the story justice).
We also had one of the other 5 new families drop by to welcome us to the ward. He plays guitar...so Felix already has a buddy. The kids are adorable, so Savannah will be a sitter before long. And they have a cutie-patootie baby who I will be able to snuggle with from time to time (although I don't know that Chloe will keep me from missing my Sophie and Sydnee).
August 8th - Monday
Felix left for New York. Yup 7 days in a new state, 3 days in a new house and he already had to go.
So what did we do? We UNPACKED. As of this day, our 3 car garage is pretty much filled with flattened boxes and garbage bags full of paper. There is so much I actually have to call and order a dumpster.
We have been discover the weird things that were broken during the move. I'm still not happy about my pillow (especially since it was used as packing material for a TV), or my Disney platter. Or for that matter, the fact that the arm was ripped off of Baylee's NITB (new in the box) 16 inch porcelain, collectible Tinkerbelle. Yeah...REALLY NOT HAPPY.
It's pretty sad, but while we unpacked today all we could talk about was getting TV and Internet on Tuesday. We love each other....but we have had enough.
So that catches you up to Monday night. It's already Tuesday night (almost Wednesday), but I think Tuesday deserves it's own blog entry....so....we'll attempt to catch up tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Day 1 - To the Brink....and Back Again
So where do I begin? Oooohhh, I know...how about midnight.
Yeah, we knew we were getting up at 5 am....did it matter? Not so much. As I was doing some last minute things (and there were SOOOOOOO many things I didn't get done...SORRY Marie!), trying to get Noah and Savannah and the dog and the cats settled down for the night. Yeah....it didn't go so well.
Around 12:30 we were laying down, and every 5 minutes either Noah or Savannah had a question. The dog was so grateful we were there and even the cats ignored the dog so they could be in the room with us too. Around 1, I was starting to relax....I don't sleep and I wasn't going to take Ambien when I knew I was only going to get a couple of hours of sleep. But right about then, Noah woke me up to tell me he was having a hard time sleeping. He whispered in my ear, "So I prayed about it Mom....and everything is going to be okay." It was all I could do to keep from crying because I was so grateful for that moment.
So finally, everyone was asleep. Well, everyone but me. And then the Fartfest began. Don't tell Noah I told you...but man, I have no idea what that kid ate! WHOA! And did I mention that the poodle is really, really, really afraid of farts? Yeah....she is! So she kept getting up because Noah's tushy was having a rough night.
Finally, the dog went upstairs and I settled in to sleep at around 3-ish. But whoa....sleep was not a good idea. For whatever reason, without my Ambien, I have freaky, freak dreams! I apparently was really stressed about having everything done, which I knew it wasn't. So I dreamt that I overslept, nothing was packed and there were little see-through Smurf running around unpacking everything that had been packed. And I had to chase them all down, scare them to turn them visible and then slay them. Yes, I said slay them. I had to kill them in order to get them to stop unpacking.....but, I tried to be humane. No, not really, I was pretty much just shooting them.
Then I woke up at 4:45. That would be A.M.
I woke the kids up at 5. We drugged the animals, put them in their kennels and loaded the car. We took some more of the mountains of garbage out, tried to wipe things off and pretended I didn't see all of the things I didn't do.....and we were off.
I went to the hotel and picked up Felix, Baylee and Caleb. We stopped at California Avenue to top off the rental car tank....that was scary. 'Nuff said.
We got to the airport, and headed straight to cargo to drop off the animals. They didn't open until 6:30. They were all in there looking at us....but they wouldn't open the door until 6:30. We got in handed over the paperwork and the first thing they told us, is that it was wrong and unless it was fixed....no pets....no fly. WHAT THE?????
I told the lady that I called three times and they never told me I even had to have the paper they were complaining about. Seriously? So I called the vet. Not there. I called the emergency vet....not there. I started crying. Savannah started crying. Felix even almost got teary. The lady finally agreed that she would process them as long as the papers would be there by 8. Okay...our flight was at 8:33....let's not cut it close, shall we?
We started loading the kennels and they said that one of the kennels was not airline approved. They just changed the regulations. Again...I called three times. So to fix the problem, they handed me a drill and a bunch of screws. Savannah took the drill out of my hands and said, "I got it Mom." Awwwwwww......that's my girl. But I took the drill and fixed it.
In the meantime, I kept dialing the vet, and miracle of miracles, the receptionist I needed on a whim came in at 6:45.....a whole hour early. Can I just reiterate, prayer really does change things.
Everything got taken care of and we jumped in the car and jammed to the rental car return. We were not going to make our flight. But again, miracles of miracles, we flew through car return, security and made it to our gate 45 minutes early.
We got on the plane, and surprise of surprises....it was the most uneventful portion of our day. We landed, got off and Caleb lost it because he was starving to death. We started getting our luggage and I went to pick up the pets. The sweet and wonderful lady at the desk got Caleb something to eat from her own lunch because "that poor baby needed to eat right now". And then told me we had to drive to a hanger to pick up the animals (that inside I was still hoping made it on the plane).
We went and waited for the shuttle to rental car return....with our 4 kids and 9 bags. That was a sight to see. Got to the rental car place and they had the wrong car. Oh my.
They didn't have anything bigger, but we made it work. Perhaps a little on the illegal side....but oh well. We drove to the border of the scary part of St. Louis and walked into the hanger. I told them we were there to pick up our furry babies and someone walked out and told us they just watered them! That meant they were there! YAY!
We got them...and sweet babies were still drugged!!! And funny! They recognized us and we all were able to breathe a sigh of relief when we saw them.
We drove the hour and a half to Farmington and dropped off the babies at the vet. We decided to help them acclimate and not lose them, they needed to stay in the kennel until the truck was unloaded and we could close the doors.
We went to the house, picked up our keys and took the kiddos on a tour. Everyone (but Savannah) was thrilled. She is 13...and this is scary. She came around....eventually.
We had dinner and finally checked in to the hotel. We went swimming (at the hotel) and then settled into our beds. I was done. I think I looked at my Ambien and went to sleep.
All in all, it was a good day. Eventful, stressful, scary, but we made it. All in one piece.
Miracles really do happen.
Yeah, we knew we were getting up at 5 am....did it matter? Not so much. As I was doing some last minute things (and there were SOOOOOOO many things I didn't get done...SORRY Marie!), trying to get Noah and Savannah and the dog and the cats settled down for the night. Yeah....it didn't go so well.
Around 12:30 we were laying down, and every 5 minutes either Noah or Savannah had a question. The dog was so grateful we were there and even the cats ignored the dog so they could be in the room with us too. Around 1, I was starting to relax....I don't sleep and I wasn't going to take Ambien when I knew I was only going to get a couple of hours of sleep. But right about then, Noah woke me up to tell me he was having a hard time sleeping. He whispered in my ear, "So I prayed about it Mom....and everything is going to be okay." It was all I could do to keep from crying because I was so grateful for that moment.
So finally, everyone was asleep. Well, everyone but me. And then the Fartfest began. Don't tell Noah I told you...but man, I have no idea what that kid ate! WHOA! And did I mention that the poodle is really, really, really afraid of farts? Yeah....she is! So she kept getting up because Noah's tushy was having a rough night.
Finally, the dog went upstairs and I settled in to sleep at around 3-ish. But whoa....sleep was not a good idea. For whatever reason, without my Ambien, I have freaky, freak dreams! I apparently was really stressed about having everything done, which I knew it wasn't. So I dreamt that I overslept, nothing was packed and there were little see-through Smurf running around unpacking everything that had been packed. And I had to chase them all down, scare them to turn them visible and then slay them. Yes, I said slay them. I had to kill them in order to get them to stop unpacking.....but, I tried to be humane. No, not really, I was pretty much just shooting them.
Then I woke up at 4:45. That would be A.M.
I woke the kids up at 5. We drugged the animals, put them in their kennels and loaded the car. We took some more of the mountains of garbage out, tried to wipe things off and pretended I didn't see all of the things I didn't do.....and we were off.
I went to the hotel and picked up Felix, Baylee and Caleb. We stopped at California Avenue to top off the rental car tank....that was scary. 'Nuff said.
We got to the airport, and headed straight to cargo to drop off the animals. They didn't open until 6:30. They were all in there looking at us....but they wouldn't open the door until 6:30. We got in handed over the paperwork and the first thing they told us, is that it was wrong and unless it was fixed....no pets....no fly. WHAT THE?????
I told the lady that I called three times and they never told me I even had to have the paper they were complaining about. Seriously? So I called the vet. Not there. I called the emergency vet....not there. I started crying. Savannah started crying. Felix even almost got teary. The lady finally agreed that she would process them as long as the papers would be there by 8. Okay...our flight was at 8:33....let's not cut it close, shall we?
We started loading the kennels and they said that one of the kennels was not airline approved. They just changed the regulations. Again...I called three times. So to fix the problem, they handed me a drill and a bunch of screws. Savannah took the drill out of my hands and said, "I got it Mom." Awwwwwww......that's my girl. But I took the drill and fixed it.
In the meantime, I kept dialing the vet, and miracle of miracles, the receptionist I needed on a whim came in at 6:45.....a whole hour early. Can I just reiterate, prayer really does change things.
Everything got taken care of and we jumped in the car and jammed to the rental car return. We were not going to make our flight. But again, miracles of miracles, we flew through car return, security and made it to our gate 45 minutes early.
We got on the plane, and surprise of surprises....it was the most uneventful portion of our day. We landed, got off and Caleb lost it because he was starving to death. We started getting our luggage and I went to pick up the pets. The sweet and wonderful lady at the desk got Caleb something to eat from her own lunch because "that poor baby needed to eat right now". And then told me we had to drive to a hanger to pick up the animals (that inside I was still hoping made it on the plane).
We went and waited for the shuttle to rental car return....with our 4 kids and 9 bags. That was a sight to see. Got to the rental car place and they had the wrong car. Oh my.
They didn't have anything bigger, but we made it work. Perhaps a little on the illegal side....but oh well. We drove to the border of the scary part of St. Louis and walked into the hanger. I told them we were there to pick up our furry babies and someone walked out and told us they just watered them! That meant they were there! YAY!
We got them...and sweet babies were still drugged!!! And funny! They recognized us and we all were able to breathe a sigh of relief when we saw them.
We drove the hour and a half to Farmington and dropped off the babies at the vet. We decided to help them acclimate and not lose them, they needed to stay in the kennel until the truck was unloaded and we could close the doors.
We went to the house, picked up our keys and took the kiddos on a tour. Everyone (but Savannah) was thrilled. She is 13...and this is scary. She came around....eventually.
We had dinner and finally checked in to the hotel. We went swimming (at the hotel) and then settled into our beds. I was done. I think I looked at my Ambien and went to sleep.
All in all, it was a good day. Eventful, stressful, scary, but we made it. All in one piece.
Miracles really do happen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)