I will actually learn to create a realistic, for me, packing schedule :-o

Actually I wrote the list to be done in a week, but I did it 2 weeks before the move so it worked, and took 2 weeks. Because I continued to do laundry and dishes and - indexing! The 1940 Census was released and I have only been able to dabble, but am thrilled I was able to do some. First week I did 960 names and the second week 1080. That is 24 and 27 batches. But the packing is done!

I was also smart enuf to realize that I could not load the car by myself in one day without a hand truck (furniture dolly) so I started loading a day early and had it done Saturday as my list said. About 80% of the stuff is in, I will put the mattresses in tomorrow and then put the last things in around them. I know, I could have slept on the couch a couple of nights and been done already but I am 57 3/4 and chose to load the mattresses on my day of departure. (thank you Tiney for the awesome mattresses. Again) Fred helped her old Grammy with the Weyerhauser table and the "furniture". One was too heavy for me, the other too awkward.

Not smart enuf to get to bed early or even on time but hey, the dishwasher is loaded ready to run in the morning and my load of laundry is ready to fold (my ox was in the mire. I did not want to start the trip with dirty clothes.) so I Will get to sleep today ;-} I have 30 minutes!

And for the Grand Finale ~ Elder O'Gara entered the MTC Wednesday, 11 April ! ! ! SO anxious for his first communication to reach me. I have new passwords on his fb and blog, well, password, and I am set to be his communications liaison to the world at large.

Leaving about 0900 for Zanne's house, sleeping there Monday night - the journey home begins

xoxoxox

I will live in Las Vegas for 6 months to help with baby #4!

I didn't leave Idaho until Monday - but I was well rested!

The trip was 14 hours (the car was loaded so heavily I couldn't go over 62mph without "wallowing"), driver's side turn signal assembly literally fell off the car in the night in the Nevada desert (discovered what I had heard the next day when there was light to see) and I was sick my first two days here, I hate throwing up!!! I totally blame it on the oversized hotdog wrapped in bread dough from Flying J. Never bothered me before and never will again! NO WAY I will ever buy another one. All my food this trip was from Flying J, to cut down on stops. Going home I will return to my usual practice of a well stocked cooler with celery, cream cheese, craisens, juice, crackers, apples, grapes and a roll or bagel. Took me two days but I cleared my system and am doing great now ;-Þ

Lindsay's birthday party was a great success and we ate leftovers for dinner, a nice plus. I made fruit salad from the leftover fruit tray ;-}

It was Fun going to church today and just sitting in Sunday School and Relief Society, attending Choir right after church...

I was the last one to bear my testimony in Sacrament. "... I am Valinda O'Gara's, I mean Valinda Gubler's mother..." Tried to tell her that at least I got the right first name!! I enjoy this ward, Drox and I were members of it 5 years ago for 6 months and now two of the boys he was in class with have received their mission calls - Richmond, VA and Charlotte, NC.

Have to get to bed on time these days because people invade my "bed room" at 0545 each morning - I am in the family room part of the kitchen - dining - family room area for now. We unloaded my car after the party yesterday, set up the seats so I can drive Tuesday in Ddonn's absence.

I slept on my mattresses last night in the front hallway, just for one night. I actually find that the futon (folded even) is quite comfortable but it was nice to stretch out.

Keeping dishes done and got a feeble start on laundry, Ddonn still does dinner ;-}

Tomorrow I am helping with wedding dresses for assorted small family members. Sashes to be exact.

No Matey fix in days - sob, sob, shuddering sob!

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

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

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

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

I will find the oven on and it will NOT be me who did it!

and I will remain calm, turn the broiler off, open doors and windows and calmly inform the sleeping individual (the one that had just pulled a cookie sheet of toast out of the oven as I went to my bedroom 9 hours earlier) that the oven was left on.
I had smelled a 'hot oven' all night, (cooking food keeps me from sleeping well), every time I woke, (about hourly), but knew what's his name was up and figured he was cooking "again" or had overcooked something and the odor was just lingering.
I was tired - obviously!
It should only be in the mid 80's today and tomorrow so I am looking forward to Progress ! ! !

(Now I need to go see if any boxes packed themselves...)

I won't even think I know what is coming next!

We just got home from WA, about 2245. I flew out last Saturday morning and was due to fly home Monday night ~ the very short version is Tiney and Matey are spending the summer here with me (and Uncle Buh)
Their belongings are in a storage unit (in my name, Tiney doesn't have a driver's license so the lady didn't know how to rent her a unit) in Lakewood. Sunday evening I cancelled my flight home and Tuesday Tiney called Buh, "Come rescue me". He left within the hour (made good time til he got to the rock blasting on Snoqualmie) and Wednesday he survived loading Tiney's storage unit ;-} with Aunt Sandy (she is a slave driver!!!) (i.e. she gets things Done)
Matey loves the fish in his new bedroom!
So, Saturday Aunt Sandy picked me up at SeaTac 0830, we picked up Tiney and Matey, went to Olympia, moved her out of the rat infested unit at Cambridge Court Apts (13-103) with help from her ex thePirate, two friends of his and Aunt Sandy (who was the whip cracker), turned in the key at 1345, unloaded the stuff at her ex's and dropped Tiney at a motel at 1600 to have time alone to enjoy turning 24 - albeit technically homeless.
I kept Matey that night and it was quite the experience, NO ONE got any sleep to speak of. Next night (Sunday) was better, Matey and Mommy had the trailer and a tv of their own to watch movies on (Cars, Finding Nemo, the GOOD movies Aunt Sandy and Uncle Larry might not think to watch)
Sunday evening was when the decision to "vacation" in Idaho for the summer was pretty much decided. It had actually been Plan A when Tiney asked me about living with her and Matey (her lease was up in May, mine ends 30 Sept) but our plans have been revised so many times we lost count.
I am happy to have more time to get things in order, I am happy to have them here for the summer and look forward to finding out what else is headed our way!
It'll give me lots to blog about :-Þ

more snippets ;-Þ

I am colder in the house even tho it is warming up outside, had to turn the heat up to 67 two days in a row!!! What's with that?

This week is Spring Break for local schools but thanks to the many districts that make up the schools we do grad stuff for, we will be working just as crazy this week as we do any other!

I am halfway thru the YW broadcast for the second time, good stuff!

People from up north will be visiting this Thursday/Friday, to include Grammy-we-love.
She isn't going to miss a temple trip!

Drox has a sheet spread in the boys living room to sort boxes tomorrow, condense boxes, weed out his possessions, keep only what will fit in 4 cap and gown boxes ~25x12x11.5~... wish Buh and I luck.

I have one box packed and taped -kitchen- and two more half filled (time ran out last night). Pots and pans in one, assorted plastics in the other-only good ones Tiney!

taking 'Remember General Conference' flyers to the kids in my class tomorrow. 4 of 7 were gone today and are most likely out of town but the papers will survive ;-} and give me something to write "we missed you" on. I have a great group of kids and an amazing co teacher.

Can't hold a candle to MY children and grandchildren but they ARE fun to be with! xoxoxox

journal type entries continue ;-}

Drox is at school in a tux second day in a row - choir festival at a neighboring school

Possibly doing my last in school order delivery, plan now is that I will stay in the office and do more paperwork while my handsome boss with the Muscles does the lifting and toting of order delivery.
I like paperwork.
I even like phones up to a point ;-Þ

Boxes arriving today "by end of day" Let the packing begin!

Called my landlord Tues? and explained desire to find someone to take over our rental agreement. He will be out of town the first week of April so if I don't hear from him by mid April give him a call and if we find someone interested have them call him.
Worst case scenario - I suggested - utilities go back into his name mid June and I pay rent until someone takes it or Sept rolls past.

I hate moving
I hate packing
However I like them both Much Better than "downsizing"
Which I AM going to become good at.
By the end of April the boys may have to justify their continued presence in our home!!

Remember the glass you left on the counter when you went to get the juice from the fridge before you laugh too hard! (The one your mom washed and rinsed while you were crossing the room)
Pity the boys living with the downsizing mom xoxoxox

little journal type entries won't seem so silly,

mainly because they will be all I make time for!
Sunday's wind storm left some of our roofing standing perpendicular to the roof, (Drox noticed last night)
Ordered boxes that should be here Thursday for packing up the house, at least the little that I will be taking with me to live with Tiney and Matey in WA
Drox has the biggest downsizing to do, I am still urging him to ask his dad how much space they have for him to store a few boxes during his mission
Buh has his days and nights reversed, except for Sundays, because it lets him do art in peace as near as I can tell... he is packing and purging his room as soon as the boxes come
Buh agrees with me and I have started with the kitchen!!!
At least it is moral support ;-Þ
I have the kitchen DI box out in an easy to reach place, in case I get too free with giving away and the boys need to reclaim an item or two - kind of like when I wash your glass you set on the counter while you are getting the juice to go in it...
We have started deliveries at work, I am doing local ones but get to help with the paperwork and question answering on most of them, going in early today to answer questions by phone. There are always orders that have something missing or where people meant to order something else or misunderstood what they were ordering, until the universally clear order form is developed or the infallible plant springs into being, the need for a customer service rep is absolute.
xoxoxox

So, neither Lindy OR her software made it home with me -

Now WHAT? I will never top my Las Vegas post for glitz and glamour!
I have a Senior, I have a Senior, I have a Senior, sob Sob, sob SOB.
(Yeah I know that is supposed to go "ha Ha, ha HA!" BUT reality stalks... just like the celery ;-)
Yesterday the boys and I installed the new glass cooktop* ! ! !
(Cleaned behind and under the stove while I had it out. I am always tempted to leave the stove out in the middle of the floor a day or two so I can admire how nice the floor and side walls look sparkling clean) ;-Þ
It* looks SO beautiful and works just fine and I am not even really sad that we will only be here 2 weeks to use it, I won't see it lose its "new" look! I love new things and it is always sad to see something slip imperceptibly from new to not new. Especially new eye glasses (I have worn glasses for 46 years in November) you are SO careful and yet that first scratch inevitably appears and it is all downhill from there!
Speaking of which, my current 'eyes' became so scratched they were hindering my vision almost as much as they were helping so I had an eye exam and ordered new ones 2 weeks ago yesterday. The Nice man said it would be 2 weeks for them to get in but they said that last time and it only took 10 days. THIS time I have heard NOTHING and will be on their doorstep when they open today. My concern is fed by the fact that they had an ancient phone number on file and even tho I changed it, who knows if he REALLY hit save???
I even ordered a second pair for the piano/computer. I need trifocals so I wear the blended lenses, a tilt of your head determines how near or far you focus, and tilting ones head back with ones nose in the air is annoying when typing or playing music! I am just trying to figure out if I should wear both pair at once, you know with those chains, to keep them available at a moments notice... ;-Þ
NOT when I am near Christopher !!!
ONE of us would have TOO MUCH fun, and it wouldn't be Grammy.
Still packing up the kitchen.
Oh yeah, we (Le and I) did the Christmas list by the random list generator - took two tries because the first time Drox, Le and Tiney had themselves - and I will include it here in 'code' form, ie blog names.
Grammy to Tiney open to suggestions, I can always do more outlet safety plugs ;-o
ElCid to Fred
Buh to George
Ddonn to ElCid
Le to Wil
Drox to JR
Wil to Grammy ;-}
Tiney to Drox
Fred to Ddonn
JR to Matey
George to Buh ~ cute how they got each other, eh Ddonn?
Matey to Le ~ nice that Matey got one of the people he knows best ;-}

Back to packing.
I sent the new address to all of the people I expect to get mail from, oh wait!
I didn't do Aunt Sandy or Aunt Tammy (that is alphabetical order ladies)
560 E Cougar Dr, same town and zipcode.

It's 9! How did it get to be 9?!?!?!
xoxoxox

I will still need validation / appreciation for doing what I am supposed to do ;-}

Ddonn mentions in her blog that I was asking her for more posts when I hadn't posted in a week... well my posting for a week ~after six months of silence~ did not generate a single comment, So WHERE is my incentive, eh?
Happy Birthday to me!
Breakfast at Denny's and the Temple with LeAnna, Iceberg Icecream shake instead of Lunch (yes, I shared) Dinner with Buh, Le, Tiney and Matey after naptime ;-}
Drox is at High Adventure so he is missing out...

My comment for Ddonn's post: (elcidandgirls.blogspot.com)
Your silly post question always causes me to pause and second guess myself ~the WHOLE class bit~ iz scary
As to me not posting in a week~ My computer has been gone for over a month and I have to use Buh's when he is at work OR use Tiney's lap top and my fingers hit and miss on that (this) silly keyboard until I am beyond myself (frustrated)

However - my MOM is "quite on in years" *73*
whilst I am just "old" at *56*
Regardless, thank you for the marvelous post of busy familiness.
! ! ! a week and a day ! ! !
xoxoxox
wv: ingervi - the next generation of geritol ;-}

Tiney and Matey move on Sunday, back to God's Country, within the 'shadow' of Mount Rainier, so everyone has been -and will be until then- Way busy packing them up. She has done an awesome job of packing her room, and her kitchen stuff. We are just helping with the garage boxes... which somehow moved themselves and intermixed with mine and Le's making life more exciting. We do NOT want to discover them later - like the kitchen box that surfaced yesterday from under two of my book boxes.
Then Le leaves for college and a Master's program.
Then the boys and I need to find a new home and move by the end of September.

And the doctor wants me to have that other operation but the tumors have been shrinking so I am still thinking it over.
I leave for Ddonn's on the 4th and get to spend a week with the squirrels while Drox is at a writer's camp! More things to do than there is summer to do them in!