I will rethink my departure plans at the beginning of the day.

As opposed to being in frantic denial until the reality crushes me that, No you are not leaving this morning. In fact you are probably Not leaving today. Make your reservation for TJ's driveway early ! ! !
Remembered the oven on my way to bed at midnight so I was able to scrape up the rubble and spray it to sit over night. Remembered the coat closet has JE stuff to tape up in the wee hours when I kept waking up from everything and Nothing. I think it was mostly my mind saying "are you really going to leave before Buh and believe that the sinks, etc get wiped down one final time?"
So, wiping the oven, doing the JE stuff, removing seats from Betsy - they get to travel in the Uhaul - then boxing the sewing machine, my computer, the stuff on the 'desk', removing drawers and legs from the weyerhauser table and Loading Betsy! That will empty my room so I can vacuum.
Then I will proceed with the remaining stray bits, the high chair being the most noteable and it might go ahead of the oven so it can make the DI trailer, if not there are Goodwills and DIs in WA!
I need a Matey fix but it is too early :-o in his time zone.

wonderful people will show up to help load the Uhaul!

It was wonderful and stressful and hectic and amazing and lots of work~ and we did get a bigger truck than we needed so Buh can take his recliner after all ;-}
When people were asking "what else can we do" my mind was a blank, now I could make quite a list!
The fridge left for R&C's just after 2, people came and went from 1 pm on but the "set" time was 6:30 and there were lots of people to help with the piano, etc. The stuff I couldn't give away is on the trailer for DI and except for the oven still needing cleaning I am feeling success ;-Þ
People are interested in buying Alfredo ~ Buh's Karmann Ghia ~ so he at least will be sticking around until tomorrow night, he can't unload until Monday so would rather hang out here than "sleep at Aunt Sandy's" ! with a Uhaul blocking her road. I personally would Never miss a chance to sleep at Aunt Sandy's or help with a project or just hang out!
Bed and then up to load my car. Won't leave as early as I hoped 'cause a few things slipped under my radar, like the blasted high chair in pieces on the patio!!!
No Matey fix today, no wonder I was so scattered :-o
xoxoxox

it will take longer to do things, but I won't think to put more time in the equation!

Yeesh! Some people's moms!!
So, Drox's sweet friend came by and helped for a hour - it really did help, I mostly need company and legs (young ones that move faster than mine).
The Primary president came by with cookies ;-} looking for my manual - co teacher has it.
Co teacher came over with an Awesome dinner (take out from Texas Roadhouse).
I shamelessly called my wonderful friend TSJ in Nampa and after accusing her of abandoning me asked if she could at least take the fridge stuff that won't fit in the coolers. She rebutted with the truth that I usually call her about cleaning when I move and my reply was that there is still vacuuming and mopping and the oven to do.
With little friend's help and Buh's help my room only has stuff to go in the car in it - except my bed, of course - and I will box up both bathrooms tomorrow. They are boxed separately right now and just need combining for the move.
The window was open all night and day in Drox's room but when I was stuffing my clothes into a space bag in there - wide open vacuumed floor to work on - the cat urine smell was outrageous! We don't have a cat or dog because both boys are allergic and the landlord failed to tell us they had a dog AND a cat until a month after we moved in. So I felt guilty all over again that my poor son had lived with that October - May. I think his shelves were over the stinky area and the odor was stirred up by the vacuuming today.
There goes Mother of the Year award - again!

I will learn to ask "When?"

Ddonn called as I was headed for the shower, I was talking to George and came out to the computer to see the Owl Posts (elcidandgirls.blogspot.com), was handed off to Ddonn and then someone knocked on my front door.
I knew the trailer was going to the dump today but had never asked "when" ;-}
0845 Surprise ! ! !
So, the nice brother hauling it away has a new image of me, housedress, computer glasses, bare foot etc. but what a Great way to start the day! For ME not him.
Now, to the shower and my room, done by lunch anyone? Any takers? What do you mean I taught you not to bet?! (especially on a long shot!) Whatever!
Buh suggested last night that I shut down the master bathroom - and my closet, but I think the hanging stuff will need to stay there til Friday - close the door(s) and have more "finished" areas like JE's room will be as soon as it is vacuumed. Good idea

I will be exhausted before everything gets done! :-o

Did alot today but not my whole list :-{

The priests came and put the couch in the trailer - hooray!

Two of my friends from church came and the cabinet faces are clean as well as most of the stray marks on the walls and the window tracks in the kitchen and JE's room. Hooray ! ! !

JE's room is totally empty - totally.

The pantry stuff is boxed. Buh helped me stick it out. That is why I am exhausted - the pantry, not Buh (well maybe both ;-)

Buh took the car in for the alignment and to Einsteins so they could recheck fluid levels.

SO, my room IS the list for tomorrow

and Uhaul calling me to schedule the pickup on Thursday

Matey fix - just heard him in the background when his sickie mom called for some help, her internet hadn't shown up yet. She has a cold and is congested and feels neglected that I am not there to help. She has a goal to do 3 boxes each day, I told her that perhaps 3 is too many for a sickie, but she wasn't open to suggestion. (sickie)
I told her she will have help to clear the garage when the Uhaul arrives, don't worry now! I will schedule things so we have time for it to sit in the driveway, no same day turn around.

Bed, bed, b e d xoxoxox

lists will take forever to complete!

but I got thru the items for today plus a few extra - after the oil change the nice boy said, Ma'am I can see wire here on the edge of your tire. Yep, he could. Driver's front tire had bits of wire showing on the inside edge along a 2 1/2 to 3 inch crack. Both front tires were Very Worn. And as the nice man at Les Schwab's pointed out were not the size the sticker on the door said they should be, just a bit narrower. So, we have new tires all around and an appointment for an alignment tomorrow at 2. "If you don't need an alignment they won't charge you for the appointment" The car was just aligned in May, this year, so if it DOES need one I will be contacting the other folks to say, shame on you! I am an old lady I don't drive off road or whatever crazy stuff would knock it out of alignment already! I won't mention I have boys that drive it. Going down the road it Was pulling to the right after I left the shop, just sayin'.
Now to bed because tomorrow is going to be even Longer ! ! !
ps Matey update: I missed a call from him because I was talking to the Idaho Power lady and when I called back he was NOT in the mood. I heard "no talk" and the spitting noise he makes when ejecting nasty food from his mouth. Later I got a call from him with mommy coaching him to say "thank you for the bacon Grammy" which he said very clearly and with enthusiasm. He loves bacon and they had found the bacon I had added to the ice chest. Apparently someone else put the contents into the freezer at their house so it was a happy discovery ;-}
Also, my new phone arrived - yay ! ! ! It was considerably smarter than I even tho I took the time to read the nice little book that came with it! I love it, thank you Ddonn, but did they Really have to name it "Jest"? Where is the dignity in THAT name people??? Yeesh!

I will teach my last Primary lesson, in my current ward at least lol

My last several callings have been in Primary so I am not holding my breath, but Sunday School and Relief Society would be nice to attend for a week or two ;-Þ
I will miss my class, the youngest will be 6 next week so she received her card early. Like I was going to miss out on THAT. I will miss my co-teacher also, she has been great! Five of the six children in CTR 5B were at church today and the shyest little girl I ever met gave me a big hug before leaving at the end of class.
Sigh...
Last night Matey called me to say goodnight - Happy Day!
Today I got a "Hi!" from him during 'quiet time'
(Warning: expect 'Matey fix' reports to continue in the future)
Buh made some delicious turkey soup last night that we just had for dinner - I may have lost my chef but a fair replacement seems to have surfaced! Yum ;-}
Tomorrow's list includes calling all utilities, an overdue oil change, Matey's books and dvds back to the library, maybe an attempt at contacting the landlord re: a moveout inspection, putting dump stuff into the trailer and oh yes - My ROOM.

people will move without me!

Leave my house with all their stuff and wave good bye!
Moving in "waves" stinks! Especially when I am the final "wave".
My home teacher parked a trailer in the driveway last night for a dump load to go in so THAT is a blessing, I can fill as I go and see progress. With Tiney and Matey less than 30 minutes 'gone' I am surrounded by fallout and working very hard NOT to be overwhelmed.
(hence this post - therapy!)
People picked up the dryer today and I still have hope more of the 'free' stuff will find homes.
I am going to calendar next week so that things occur in a somewhat organized fashion, pack up everything that doesn't run from me (Run, Buh, Run!) and probably start loading the car.
Need to get my oil changed now that I mention the car...
I have a Uhaul reserved for next Thursday and pickup scheduled at a place we have used before, Very helpful people - great customer service.
My room is my immediate target, there are no more boxes to surprise me with papers I need to file or photos to put in the photo stash or keepsakes that can justify their continued existence, Or Matey to con me into watching a video with him :-Þ
Excuse me please, I need to go sob into my pillow now.
Sincerely, the bereft Grammy
(Yes it is only temporary but it still bites!)
(Who will eat the mints in my top drawer that are there just for Matey?)
(So, yes He will, but in a week!)

I will celebrate the anniversaries of my husband's birth.

Just seems wrong to call it a birthday celebration but it IS the anniversary of his birth. The 65th anniversary of his birth, to be exact. He planned to work until he was 70 because apparently the police force would let you. 70 still sounds "old" even tho' I am much closer to it than I have ever been ;-Þ
Tiney and I did the yard today. Washed all of Matey's outside toys, I mowed the front yard and barely started the back when Buh took over and finished it. We pruned lilac bushes, sorted a container of mostly papers that had been overlooked on the back patio, repackaged a huge heavy box from the tool shed that dates back to June, brought dump things together in a more convenient stack, the container had OF COURSE papers that need to go into boxes in my room! And a few more photos and some things that had gotten damp and mildewed and have to go but a couple I need to photograph first.
Also got bit by a spider as far as we can tell. Made a very interesting pattern of red circles in an area larger than my open hand can cover. I was sorting outside, because the box obviously had bugs/spiders, and my leg got really hot. I thought it was because I was wearing black pants and they were intensifying the heat of the sun. I rolled the pant leg up above my knee (capri shorts) and couldn't believe the crazy pattern spreading across my leg to the side and above my right knee. Good thing I had taken an allergy pill before mowing. Good thing Buh had bought me chigger ex! Upon examination the bite mark was obvious.
Tomorrow is our last calendared day ~ Tiney's room. My job will be keeping Matey busy. I figure we will go to WalMart and the water park and fun places like that ;-} Tiney mentioned to him today that they are going to be moving to a new house, and that Abuelo and Uncle Jon E will be coming to take them on a LONG ride this weekend. It went over his head but it will make sense later, that is the kind of kid he is. Moving in two parts stinks but she will have a chance to take stock of the house with less stuff in the way so it's all good. xoxoxox

My shower walls will SHINE ;-Þ

Happy Day! and Happy Birthday to George ! ! ! She is 7 - my favorite number.
It took "Bar Keeper's Friend" and going over each area 2-3 times but my shower walls are no longer dull. Ddonn told me about something to pick up at WalMart that would remove the mineral deposit residue hiding under the soap scum but my shopping buddies were NOT into another stop so I checked to see if Winco had Ddonn's product, they did not, and I spotted the BKF which said 'removes rust and stains' across the front so I bought it. Took tons of elbow grease but I SO wish I had before and after pictures. I didn't know it would be so amazing.
btw - Matey is getting to be quite the expert cleaner. He helped scrub the plastic shower curtain this morning and he needed his OWN brush, thank you very much! He also helped to push the hand truck loaded with boxes out to the big storage shed. We picked up more magic erase sponges, getting serious here! No, Matey will not be using them. It was hard enough keeping him from being elbow deep in the ammonia/dish soap cleaner we concocted.
I need (want) to check the tool shed for a container I packed in a large rubbermaid tote long before Tiney got here and she is NOT eager to help search for it *o* there are only 2 to check in!
Yeesh, she has limits ;-Þ who knew?!

the faster I go (plan) the behinder I will get - still

Got out to the garage just after 10 and there were boxes half sorted in the car. (Long story) the nasty "memory" variety. Spoiler Alert! ~ [We finished the last of them - they have haunted me since Sept 1995] by lunch time we were neck deep in stupid "memory" piles ! ! !
After lunch I insisted on hitting (pleaded with Tiney) the 4 boxes too big to be "memory" ones. And it was wonderful to actually see progress in less than half an hour. Then I had to face the remaining "memories". Of course I fit in repacking glasses and cutting down the box to make them more secure as well as several other side trips, sweeping, emptying the recycle box, combining half filled boxes, but we managed to go thru everything. Empty boxes are stacked by Alfredo's nose because the recycle bin is FULL. Swept the garage for the 3rd time and pulled Betsy back in by dinner time. Found lots of great pictures. Some Aunt DD sent us about 20 years ago, rope swing ones of all 4 kids and Eddie at Harrison Blvd, lots of cool ones I had forgotten we had. Even found a photo of a gun DG was on in the Army. Remembering where I put it will be the trick. Short term memory stinks ;-Þ
Tomorrow is grocery shopping and the master bath. No window. Tiney and I have been having a "who can keep their bathroom cleanest" contest for weeks so the only scary thing is which cleaner will take the mineral spots off of the shower walls.
I think the only problem with my "plan" was not recognizing how much "fallout" there would be as we found things in rooms B-Z that belong in room A. IE my room is still a pit waiting to be boxed! And every time I get caught up we find more for me to pack. The garage was unfortunately a gold mine for me :-o
Without Tiney I would be doomed to continue hauling around stuff I don't need AND leaving a house less clean than I want to OR on a stretcher because I tried to leave it as clean as I want to! Just wanted to publicly acknowledge that little bit of reality ~ (darn! she's not ready for the old folks home yet!) xoxoxox

I will catch a mouse when I pack the kitchen ! ! !

[Setting the scene: We saw a mouse when we moved in, caught it the first week and have had NO rodent guests since then]
Tiney and I were in the kitchen packing away yesterday, anticipating our yummy restaurant lunch, when SHE saw something scurry under the fridge. She hoped mouse, feared spider and would have settled for roach - As If a roach ever lived in Our neighborhood!!! But our state IS full of spiders and we have seen some big ones lately. Buh came and pulled the fridge out a few inches and we all saw a mouse dive for the pantry. I had seen signs of a mouse in the garage and bought traps so Buh got the traps and we set 4 in the pantry. As I was heading to bed Hours later I heard a trap spring and a little rodent joined the contents of the trash.
Back to happier moments~ we had a great lunch , stopped for boxes at the liquor store, the cupboards are all wiped down, they are also mostly empty (just what we need to eat with), and even under the sink is clean with the cleaners, etc in a box.
Cleaning the stove and fridge are for another day ;-Þ
Matey had lots of fun on a walk with Uncle Buh (Matey in his peddle car), ate noodles at a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant AND he got to have a Bath. Happy Day !
Today is the Garage. I think there are half a dozen boxes to sort and then general sweeping, mostly spider webs from corners and it IS the coolest day of the week so that will be nice since the garage faces southeast!

planning your work will Still be easier than working your plan!

We did the small bath Monday, and laundry and dishes.
We did the pantry Tuesday and had to compromise on how much I could put in boxes. I put in less than I wanted and left the boxes untaped.
Today was our Free day and we made 7 dozen (or more) cookies for a thank you to the YM for all of their help with our yard, especially the teacher's quorum. The quorum president stopped by on his way to YM to pick them up and his only comment was "Wow, that is a lot of cookies" but I've been to YM-YW and once the others find out there are cookies to be had, they will vanish. Also went to the Library and Winco - butter, eggs and flour tortillas.
TSJ stopped by mid day - Happy Birthday ! ! ! - and left tomatoes and corn as well as our boxes they used to move BKJ aka Waffles to BYU I. She took with her a dozen especially nutty oatmeal raisin cookies for her Birthday present ;-} Waffles already has a job on campus, the early morning cleaning like Zanne did at BYU.
On my way to bed, tomorrow is the kitchen, we have Buh lined up to help and have promised him lunch. I am sure Tiney will force me to leave more unpacked than I want to but she leaves a week before me so I can box it up then ;-} We are cleaning as we pack but I have a feeling that the appliances will not make it on the agenda tomorrow. We do have a supply of paper plates and cups and plastic ware and napkins :-Þ
Helped Ddonn tonight with Fred's project. Have to get that family history info into better order so I will have answers! I mean, now that I have no memory to speak of I am very grateful that I wrote down so much when talking to extended family in the old days (back when I still had the memory) xoxoxox

I will live in a house that is put up for sale the month I am moving!

The dining room went well, people called mid afternoon and came to see the house at 6:30. I liked the realtor on the phone and he and the people (a couple my age or just older) were nice. The fish and tanks all have new homes now. Matey cried when the one from his room went today. The poor guy taking them felt bad. A second realtor called 5 min after the first and he will be bringing people at 4 today. Tiney and I are doing the computer (family) room today. Guess we will aim to be done before then, eh? We will be packing up all the entertainment stuff and giving away a glass front cabinet (Le's) a couch and my computer desk. Tami doesn't want my desk ~ big pout ~ and I am happier with the weyerhauser desk, as long as there is room for it (it is much bigger). Oh well. Downsizing. Back to bed. Got up for a drink at 0100. I was in bed by half past 10 - improving! xoxoxox

I will find out each day how great my memory Used to be ;-Þ

So, I tried to pay Tiney's storage unit rental DAYS ago and the lady I got this time was not the lady last time and did not want to do a phone payment even if the previous lady said I could. She gave me a 10 digit ID # and said pay online. We were going somewhere so I put the paper aside planning to pay when I had time for gross torture.
Tonight I am trying to sleep and the specter of storage unit present starts to haunt me, it is past the grace period I fear, and I get up, find the paper, go thru the torture and make the payment. I intensely dislike the blow my memory has taken in the aging process especially when it affects other people. I had Tiney's money in my account because she did not have a driver's license so the sub lady could not rent her a unit, but she could rent to me. When Tiney tried to make a payment using her bank card info it refused her because Tiney was not the name on the account, had to be a card that said Tiney's mom. SO there we are, grey haired failing memory in charge.
Matey fell asleep in my arms tonight between one word and the next. It was truly funny. He was talking to his mom then he was sound asleep.
I did one of my scientific plans - that pained groaning you hear would be my children and their father - and it seems to be working. Oh ye of little proof!
Divided the house into 12 areas and assigned each one a day.
Tiney does the hard stuff and I do the rest. Yesterday was our first day and we started with my room. I had to do all the decision making but Tiney did the window, blinds, fan blades and light diffusing bowls as well as receiving stuff for two of the boxes and packing them for me. I had two boxes and she had "stationery" and "bedroom misc" Quit Laughing! I had "church" and "goes with me in the car". Yes, she will gladly accept sympathy cards, especially ones with $.
Today it was the hall and formal living room. She did the fan blades, light covers, soffit (it was ugly!), and put the fish on Craig's List. We both did the window and put the blinds back up. We sorted the cookbooks, packed them and the towels and linens and games etc. I need to find 3 boxes for #10 cans to put the food storage in. (note to self)
I mended the red sleeping bag and space bagged it, bagged the green sleeping bag and the twin comforter together, as well as space bagging the stuff I bagged the other day. I had used the older (used) bags and they all had leaks. I dismantled my rocking chair (glider) and vacuumed the living room and hall. I did the hall light diffusing bowls and the cold air intake vent in the hall ceiling. Amazingly, it is missing the 20 x 20 filter it should have in it. On my list for later today.
The glider comes apart with an allen wrench. I had one and Matey had one and he removed 4 screws with only minimal help (had trouble fitting the hexagonal head into the hexagonal recess). Once you set the wrench for him, he turned it until the screw came out. Ask AnWanna, those screws are NOT short. He is an amazing boy!
Today (Wednesday) is our "free" day, we get one each week ;-} and we are going to the Library and Walmart - that 20 x 20 filter - and Tiney is going to do laundry while I catch up dishes and sneak and do the track in my bedroom window. Yes, I am compulsive. I need it to be free of bugs and dust. I also still need to vacuum my room and pack the pictures on the wall.
Thursday is the "dining" room which is Matey's toy area, a chandelier, sliding glass door and vertical blinds (yes I am doing the track) and Tiney wants to include my computer desk. That's one way to get it cleared off! We are going to pack up half the toys - hopefully not the half he wants to play with the rest of the month ;-o
0100 and I was going to get to sleep before midnight xoxoxox

people will continue to surprise me - in nice ways

My bank person called today to apologize to me. Someone DOES read the emails! And contacted the branch in question. She mis-spoke and realized it as I was pulling out so was unable to let me know right then. It is $2 per page because people were asking for temporary checks instead of ordering more real checks so the bank imposed a charge of $2 per page, a page fits 4 checks.
We did not address the fact that she failed to mention the charge ahead of time, I mentioned it but there was no response beyond "I'm sorry", and I graciously accepted her apology.
Today Tiney was out of state for the day and Matey and I did great! She had told him she was going on an airplane and would be back at bed time and he did amazingly well. Especially for 28+ months. It helped that we stayed gone most of the day at other people's houses ;-Þ He survived from 0630 - 2215 without his mom. No crying. No fits. AND he took his nap - fell asleep in the car and slept 2 hours!!! Enough rejoicing, My bed is calling xoxoxox