Moving. One of life's stressors. J. and I both vividly recall moving out of our condo and moving to this house as several of the most exhausting days we have ever experienced in our lives....and for me, that includes having pushed two humans from my body.
H.'s move isn't at all like that. He hasn't 'packed' anything, really. He culled out his closet and dresser and will probably transport clothes (hangers and all) in garbage bags to the apartment. We could walk to his apartment, really - across a vacant field and over a fence. And even walking there along sidewalks (the long route) is pretty short.
I think it's different when you know your parents are 5 minutes away and anything you leave behind, you can pick up whenever you need to - and raid the pantry and/or do laundry at the same time!
I am making lists of things to get for them - cleaning supplies, etc.. J. says 'they don't need any of that stuff 'cuz they probably won't clean'. Um, they signed a six month lease and they paid a cleaning deposit - and they can't live like pigs. There will be a counter that needs wiping and a floor that needs sweeping at some point.
I'm also going to put down shelf paper in the kitchen cupboards and drawers - something they probably won't like (I'm using shelf paper we have on hand - it's not too 'frilly' but it's also not sports helmets and guns so that right there makes it 'girly'). I just can't not do it - it's what you do when you move into a house.
They need silverware trays, salt and pepper shakers, etc.. A Swiffer dry/wet mop to 'sweep' the floor now and then. We have an old vacuum they can have which will allow them to vacuum the carpets now and then.
J. and I went through the garage 'pantry' and put together a box of stuff - food storage bags, TP, etc.. Still a lot to shop for but trying to limit our cash out as much as possible. J.'s car has four brand new Michelin's on it and now H.'s car needs a new tire. And we are getting our sliding door replaced today. If it glides easily, it will be worth every penny - it's never been seated 'right' and it's a pain to open and close. J. and I both have shoulder/elbow issues and I think that damn door is a big part of why. So I'm hitting savings big time this month and anything we have around here to contribute to 'The Great Move of 2013' will help.
The week has been uber-busy and crazy and I come home exhausted and go up to bed just after 8. It's all I can do to watch something off my DVR (to clear it a bit) before I'm falling asleep. I'm still coughing and still have something 'off' in my ears and throat - but oh well. I feel like 'croaky/congested' may be my new norm?
H. got a letter from B. and H. let us read it - they are starting to work on their weaponry and learning to shoot really big guns. Exciting for them both 'cuz they love going to the shooting range....it was great to see B. writing to his brother.
He signed it: 'Peace, B.' . And I think that's the perfect closing from one brother to another...guys who often feud with each other over stupid things. 'Peace' is a good way to close...and to start. H. added a little note to my letter that we mailed yesterday so I'm hoping once the moving is done, we can encourage him to write a quick letter of his own back.
Well, the fire alarms at our school (in our neighborhood) are going off and I heard a fire truck....so I need to find out if anything's seriously wrong....and then get to work fixing it! My boss is at a conference this week and at 6AM yesterday, he emailed me 'any leaks?' - 'cuz every time he's gone, something happens. Gas leaks, etc. So I'm hoping this isn't 'something'.
Though at least my crisis management skills will get a workout.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Ahhh....The Weekend
A quiet Saturday of piddling around the house. I am working on cleaning the cabinets with orange glo! The wood soaks up the oil and everything looks clean and shiny! It's been awhile since I've done it and the wood really needed it.
In the spirit of recycling and reusing, J. cut up a gazillion of B.'s old t-shirts and made the best dusting rags on the planet! 100% soft cotton - perfect for polishing wood, granite, etc. . No lint!
I made a homemade lasagna using frozen spaghetti sauce. Added a creamy bechamel sauce with freshly grated nutmeg along with grated Parmesan. It was delicious! And then we froze 1/2 of the lasagna 'cuz it was too much for three people. And I cut back what I usually make. Cooking for two is going to be an interesting challenge - since I'm used to cooking for a virtual army, apparently.
Speaking of Army! We got a call from B. at around 4:40PMish our time. It was incredibly fast - he had 5 minutes and we think we spoke for 4 or so - but it was great to hear from him and I'll take any time over no time. He was excited to hear we've mailed some letters; also excited we've found websites with pictures and asked us to save them for him. He didn't need to worry about that 'cuz we check the website fanatically watching for new updates! I might even make some kind of scrapbook for him with pictures by week! B. also confirmed he's been sick for three weeks - but says 'I'm fine - I'm congested and coughing in the morning but most of the time, I'm fine'.
We gave thought to driving up north to look at houses but truthfully, I am still feeling off and didn't want to use energy for that. I'm pretty congested and still have something going on in my throat. I stopped taking Benadryl and the decongestants thinking that's why I feel 'murky'. But no - I just feel murky, apparently - 'cuz I feel the same. Sleeping is a challenge still and that doesn't help. Oh well.
Next weekend is H.'s big moving day! They haven't done a darn thing to get ready that I can see so it's likely going to be a very long weekend. Hoping H. remembers that his parents aren't exactly ready to schlep stuff out of a truck and up stairs. We will help - for sure - but hoping they are also recruiting other friends to assist.
It's a beautiful sunny day here - rare these days. Still chilly but manageable. I have much to do here and a couple things to take care of in my office (so easy and lucky to have my office be so close to home).
Ever since we went to the chicken and waffle place last weekend, J. has been craving a waffle. He's playing music at church today so we are going to have breakfast dinner and make waffles, eggs and bacon tonight for dinner! Yummy.
The garage is opening and my beloved is home! Happy Sunday!
In the spirit of recycling and reusing, J. cut up a gazillion of B.'s old t-shirts and made the best dusting rags on the planet! 100% soft cotton - perfect for polishing wood, granite, etc. . No lint!
I made a homemade lasagna using frozen spaghetti sauce. Added a creamy bechamel sauce with freshly grated nutmeg along with grated Parmesan. It was delicious! And then we froze 1/2 of the lasagna 'cuz it was too much for three people. And I cut back what I usually make. Cooking for two is going to be an interesting challenge - since I'm used to cooking for a virtual army, apparently.
Speaking of Army! We got a call from B. at around 4:40PMish our time. It was incredibly fast - he had 5 minutes and we think we spoke for 4 or so - but it was great to hear from him and I'll take any time over no time. He was excited to hear we've mailed some letters; also excited we've found websites with pictures and asked us to save them for him. He didn't need to worry about that 'cuz we check the website fanatically watching for new updates! I might even make some kind of scrapbook for him with pictures by week! B. also confirmed he's been sick for three weeks - but says 'I'm fine - I'm congested and coughing in the morning but most of the time, I'm fine'.
We gave thought to driving up north to look at houses but truthfully, I am still feeling off and didn't want to use energy for that. I'm pretty congested and still have something going on in my throat. I stopped taking Benadryl and the decongestants thinking that's why I feel 'murky'. But no - I just feel murky, apparently - 'cuz I feel the same. Sleeping is a challenge still and that doesn't help. Oh well.
Next weekend is H.'s big moving day! They haven't done a darn thing to get ready that I can see so it's likely going to be a very long weekend. Hoping H. remembers that his parents aren't exactly ready to schlep stuff out of a truck and up stairs. We will help - for sure - but hoping they are also recruiting other friends to assist.
It's a beautiful sunny day here - rare these days. Still chilly but manageable. I have much to do here and a couple things to take care of in my office (so easy and lucky to have my office be so close to home).
Ever since we went to the chicken and waffle place last weekend, J. has been craving a waffle. He's playing music at church today so we are going to have breakfast dinner and make waffles, eggs and bacon tonight for dinner! Yummy.
The garage is opening and my beloved is home! Happy Sunday!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
In Abstentia
From this:
To this:
(Note: he is 22 today. We think the picture on the merry-go-round is when he was six or seven - we aren't positive....but it's handy and a favorite that had been on a computer so long, I forgot about it. He has always been so photogenic. I'm biased....). We tried to find baby pics of him and we have zillions but they aren't scanned so this will do for now.
At lunch with friends, I got a text picture from J. that he found on the Internet. My immediate reaction was 'oh, he doesn't look good' - but then I saw the gas mask in his hand and I knew he had just come out of the gas chamber...and compared to the soldiers who exit projectile vomiting, he looked really great!
And then J. texted me more info - his roster # - and I knew! We got a letter!! J. had waited to read it - but he opened it and read it to me and then of course, I read it a million times when I got home. So relieved.
It was the letter every Mom wants to get - especially from a son who just left home - that he really, really misses us; that he has a new appreciation for home and family; that he is fine and enjoying it; it is challenging but very rewarding and he is doing well. And would we please send family pics and include a pic of the dog? He misses my lattes and talking to his dad (including the political stuff!). He loves us and it's 'pretty intense' and 'made me realize how much I like having you near'. Made my heart just ache and yet fill with pure joy at the same time.
He's growing up - into such a fine person.
Happy Birthday, B.! We sure miss you and are so incredibly proud of you!
(PS - what the picture above doesn't show is that B. is leading the pack - he is out front and looks ready to run for miles vs. others behind him who don't. He worked really hard training and I think it's really paying off for him now!)
Monday, January 21, 2013
198th
We've narrowed down B.'s placement to be part of the 198th Infantry Battalion - and either A, D or E units. All this via whittling down via the website and knowing the official start date. They just finished week 1 and depending on which unit, they have done a lot - including the gas chamber, confidence challenge and other things. The E unit has virtually no pictures - which sucks - 'cuz if that's the unit he's in, there's no info on their activities. But it's only the first week - so there's still plenty of time. He won't graduate for another 12 so I can't imagine what else they'll be doing. The first week looked amazing.
The pics are what I expected - even the guys throwing up after the gas chamber didn't phase me. Nor the pics of teary-eyed young men being screamed at by a drill sergeant. It helps to at least have a glimpse of what his days are like and is also a good reminder that he is incredibly busy. The Facebook pages have posts from other families that are in the same time frame - seeking info - or some from those who've been there before. That also helps - reminders that they are incredibly tired and busy and the one hour a day they get to themselves, they are usually just too worn out.
We also saw copies of the letters that were mailed so I sure hope ours arrives this week. We know the family day and graduation days and once we have all of it in writing, we will make reservations. They caution you about reserving too far in advance - soldiers do fail to graduate at times. But we aren't too worried about that and the unrestricted, totally refundable airfare is $2K each which is ridiculous. I'd rather pay $450 each and risk that we'll have a credit to use on a different trip after paying a fee to change.
The three day weekend passed quickly. Both J. and I did WinCo stock up shops using $10 off coupons that we got in the mail! We are well stocked for a month or so. We didn't need a Costco trip since Son #1 isn't here. The 2 dozen eggs we have are lasting incredibly long - going on two weeks, I think vs. the one week they usually lasted. J. bought just one gallon of milk - even with H. here, we aren't going through it nearly as fast.
We have a wild idea - well, I had the wild idea and when I shared it with my husband, he actually thought it was worth considering...so next weekend, we are heading north to start looking for a 2nd house...a home we think we could be happy living in once I also retire. It makes sense to buy a new house now on a 'down' of the market and then eventually sell this house when we have more equity. Our ability to consider doing that is surely a blessing - and it's exciting to think of having a weekend home to enjoy as well as this house. We'll see. It can't hurt to look and it will give us an excuse to spend a day a weekend a couple times a month exploring the foothills and places north. If we wait until this house is worth selling, we will be paying $100's of thousands more for our retirement home, which doesn't make sense.
Tomorrow is a board meeting day - hard after a three day weekend to also add a late evening to the mix. Thankfully, it's only 4 days until the next weekend! And February is fast approaching and it has two three day weekends to look forward to!
Hard (very) not to hear from B. again this weekend - but it's OK. Hoping for the first letter and I already have one ready to mail right back to him.
I tried to change the channel to 60 Minutes at 6PM thinking it was Sunday! I'll be off by a day all week, probably.
The inauguration was great to see and I can't wait to see what the next four years brings!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Parenthood
I watched some old episodes of Parenthood on my DVR last night as I let the cough syrup and Benadryl enter my blood stream. I went to bed without those meds in my system but 30 minutes of coughing my head off convinced me to just give in and take them. I need sleep.
I watched the episode that was in mid-December and had to find a song that was playing during a beautiful scene at the end of the show - and of course, you can find anything on the Internet including a website that assists viewers in identifying songs from TV shows.
The song is "Glorious" by Melissa Ethridge and I quickly purchased it on iTunes.
So now I'm sitting here crying 'cuz the last time B. was home, it was Christmas. And he would have loved this song - we often like the same things. Not always, but often.
If he were at college, I'm sure he would respond to texts. I'm sure he would call more often. It's just this time of him being unable to communicate that is killing me.
In my irrational head, I fear my relationship with him will become like my brother's was with our mom - non-existent. Every mother of sons knows it's different with them - they move on and another woman eventually (hopefully) enters and consumes their lives. I've been preparing for that as all mothers of sons do - but you are hopeful the new woman in your sons life might be a communicator so there's still hope.
I hope we hear from him this weekend. I am almost afraid to leave the house lest we miss a call - but life goes on and we have plans that we want to make happen. Heading to Walnut Creek to use a Groupon for lunch and then a trip to some of the stores there - it's a great shopping location. We have some ideas for our pantry.
There is nothing greater than your husband also agreeing that a trip to The Container Store is in order!
Time to shower and dress and head out. It's a beautiful, sunny day - crystal clear and over 50* outside!
I watched the episode that was in mid-December and had to find a song that was playing during a beautiful scene at the end of the show - and of course, you can find anything on the Internet including a website that assists viewers in identifying songs from TV shows.
The song is "Glorious" by Melissa Ethridge and I quickly purchased it on iTunes.
So now I'm sitting here crying 'cuz the last time B. was home, it was Christmas. And he would have loved this song - we often like the same things. Not always, but often.
If he were at college, I'm sure he would respond to texts. I'm sure he would call more often. It's just this time of him being unable to communicate that is killing me.
In my irrational head, I fear my relationship with him will become like my brother's was with our mom - non-existent. Every mother of sons knows it's different with them - they move on and another woman eventually (hopefully) enters and consumes their lives. I've been preparing for that as all mothers of sons do - but you are hopeful the new woman in your sons life might be a communicator so there's still hope.
I hope we hear from him this weekend. I am almost afraid to leave the house lest we miss a call - but life goes on and we have plans that we want to make happen. Heading to Walnut Creek to use a Groupon for lunch and then a trip to some of the stores there - it's a great shopping location. We have some ideas for our pantry.
There is nothing greater than your husband also agreeing that a trip to The Container Store is in order!
Time to shower and dress and head out. It's a beautiful, sunny day - crystal clear and over 50* outside!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Pony Express
On Sunday evening, our soldier son let me know 'a letter is going out tonight with all the information including my address'.
It is now Friday.
On Monday, I knew to expect nothing.
On Tuesday, I had slight hope but understood when there wasn't any mail from him.
On Wednesday, I was disappointed and grumbling about 'are they sending it west on a bike'?
On Thursday, I was disgruntled and mumbling things like 'I could have driven to Georgia and back myself'.
Today, I am worried that he doesn't know how to address an envelope - or they can't read his writing - and the letter and all the info about graduation and parent's day that was to be included are sitting in a 'dead letter' bin somewhere between here and Georgia...
And we may never hear from him again.
Argh!
We miss him.....
J. talks about how 'well, there may be a big semi truck parked in the corner of the base and when it's full, it will pull out'. I am incredulous at that...I mean really? So if I put a letter in our mailbox, the post office waits until they have a full truck to Georgia before my letter starts moving? Come on...really. That's absurd.
And J. says 'it's the Army, honey. It's not supposed to make sense'.
Great.
The week is over. We are having fried chicken and frozen peach daiquiris for dinner. I am going to enjoy more Downton Abby while my new antibiotics kick the ass of the microbes in my body. This is day 15 of what started as just a little sniffle.
It is now Friday.
On Monday, I knew to expect nothing.
On Tuesday, I had slight hope but understood when there wasn't any mail from him.
On Wednesday, I was disappointed and grumbling about 'are they sending it west on a bike'?
On Thursday, I was disgruntled and mumbling things like 'I could have driven to Georgia and back myself'.
Today, I am worried that he doesn't know how to address an envelope - or they can't read his writing - and the letter and all the info about graduation and parent's day that was to be included are sitting in a 'dead letter' bin somewhere between here and Georgia...
And we may never hear from him again.
Argh!
We miss him.....
J. talks about how 'well, there may be a big semi truck parked in the corner of the base and when it's full, it will pull out'. I am incredulous at that...I mean really? So if I put a letter in our mailbox, the post office waits until they have a full truck to Georgia before my letter starts moving? Come on...really. That's absurd.
And J. says 'it's the Army, honey. It's not supposed to make sense'.
Great.
The week is over. We are having fried chicken and frozen peach daiquiris for dinner. I am going to enjoy more Downton Abby while my new antibiotics kick the ass of the microbes in my body. This is day 15 of what started as just a little sniffle.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Re-Do
Today dawned with me drifting off to sleep again around 4:30 and waking at 6 when the alarm went off ...and finding myself not feeling too well again. And coughing a bit more than I had the past couple days. Not good signs.
I called and made a Dr. appointment - hoping to get in sometime this morning but my doctor was in at noon today - so I took a 5:15PM appointment.
I love our Doctor. We all love him. And he confirmed that I still had a lot of congestion in my chest and given that, I could opt to get a shot....which I immediately agreed to do. A shot of an antibiotic I can't pronounce and a 10 day prescription for another (different) antibiotic. I should be feeling great after three rounds of various antibiotics so I look forward to steady improvement over the next 10 days.
There were no LVNs or RNs at the office tonight so my doctor had to give me the shot. He came in with the injection on the tray and said 'don't worry! I just refreshed my skills watching You Tube!' I cracked up. As he was injecting the thick fluid into my left hip, he was jiggling the skin quickly and constantly. When he was done, I said 'what was all the jiggling?' He explained it's something he picked up from his dentist. They 'wiggle' your cheek as they are injecting into your gums. The brain's path for pain and jiggling eventually join up - and the jiggling confuses the pain receptors, so you aren't experiencing as much of a pain response as you would without the jiggling. Those thick liquid injections hurt like the dickens! It's still aching and it's been an hour and half.
I am heading to bed shortly. First meeting at 7:30 so I absolutely have to get up before 6. I'm going to get my clothes out and ready and also get the coffee set up so it's ready right away. If I do sleep in until 6, I can still make it - I'll just have to hurry a bit.
Two prescriptions are waiting at Rite Aid and J. will get them tonight or tomorrow. I'm sure the shot will be working well and I should feel a lot better by morning. I sure hope.
It's a three day weekend and I don't want to waste it! Though I'm sure I'll sleep a lot 'cuz that's what I need.
I called and made a Dr. appointment - hoping to get in sometime this morning but my doctor was in at noon today - so I took a 5:15PM appointment.
I love our Doctor. We all love him. And he confirmed that I still had a lot of congestion in my chest and given that, I could opt to get a shot....which I immediately agreed to do. A shot of an antibiotic I can't pronounce and a 10 day prescription for another (different) antibiotic. I should be feeling great after three rounds of various antibiotics so I look forward to steady improvement over the next 10 days.
There were no LVNs or RNs at the office tonight so my doctor had to give me the shot. He came in with the injection on the tray and said 'don't worry! I just refreshed my skills watching You Tube!' I cracked up. As he was injecting the thick fluid into my left hip, he was jiggling the skin quickly and constantly. When he was done, I said 'what was all the jiggling?' He explained it's something he picked up from his dentist. They 'wiggle' your cheek as they are injecting into your gums. The brain's path for pain and jiggling eventually join up - and the jiggling confuses the pain receptors, so you aren't experiencing as much of a pain response as you would without the jiggling. Those thick liquid injections hurt like the dickens! It's still aching and it's been an hour and half.
I am heading to bed shortly. First meeting at 7:30 so I absolutely have to get up before 6. I'm going to get my clothes out and ready and also get the coffee set up so it's ready right away. If I do sleep in until 6, I can still make it - I'll just have to hurry a bit.
Two prescriptions are waiting at Rite Aid and J. will get them tonight or tomorrow. I'm sure the shot will be working well and I should feel a lot better by morning. I sure hope.
It's a three day weekend and I don't want to waste it! Though I'm sure I'll sleep a lot 'cuz that's what I need.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Tales of Helpers
Our cleaning lady D. is here today - she wears earbuds and chats on the phone while she works. She is the third cleaning 'person(s)...
