...just came in. He'll be here on Friday sometime. We don't know when yet because it's not up on the website yet and I bet it won't be until tomorrow morning. The in-laws are heading here in the morning. Things are about to happen really really really fast. Updates to come...
S.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Life was Great in 2008!
What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
1. Bought a Christmas tree.
2. Drove to and from Fort Polk by myself.
3. Moved out of state...without my parents.
4. Got a cable bill in my name.
5. Visited Corpus Christi.
Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions so I'm not disappointed when i don't keep them.
What countries did you visit?
Just the USA.
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A husband.
What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
1. May 1st: the day Brian came home for R&R.
2. May 18th: the day Brian left from R&R.
3. June 17th: the day Jana's son was born.
4. November 28th: the day I moved to Louisiana.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Just simply surviving.
What was your biggest failure?
Not doing enough for Brian.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
*knocks on wood* No.
What was the best thing you bought?
Our new washer and dryer. They rock and I told Brian he cannot hurt them or I will hurt him.
Where did most of your money go?
Furnishings for the house.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Brian's R&R.
What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Both. Happier that my life is about to be in motion. Sadder that I am 8 hours away from my hilariously wonderful family.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Neither, just more fit.
iii. richer or poorer?
Money wise: Richer. Thank you Army for that one.
Life wise: Richer. I got to spend a year with my family and my husband is about to be home.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel and work.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Sat on my butt and avoided phone calls.
Did you fall in love in 2008?
No, kind of past the fall-in-love part of life.
How many one-night stands?
Never ever.
What was your favorite TV program?
I have alot: Cold Case, Gossip Girl, Heroes, Without A Trace, Top Chef, House, CSI, Friday Night Lights, Amazing Race, American Idol (David Cook!!), Intervention...
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate, I just strongly dislike. And yes, there might be.
What was the best book you read?
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer for sure.
What were your greatest musical discoveries?
David Cook and Straight No Chaser.
What did you want and get?
Everything in this house.
What was your favorite film of this year?
I can't pick just one: Indiana Jones, Iron Man, Twilight...
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I think I went out to eat. I don't even remember. I turned 23.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having Brian around more.
What kept you sane?
My family and Tiny.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Derek Jeter - always!
Who did you miss?
Brian.
Who was the best new person you met?
Wow. I'm not sure I met anyone new. Sad.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I learned the importance of communication.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
This isn't a song lyric, but it's too good to pass up:
"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." --Carlos Castaneda
1. Bought a Christmas tree.
2. Drove to and from Fort Polk by myself.
3. Moved out of state...without my parents.
4. Got a cable bill in my name.
5. Visited Corpus Christi.
Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions so I'm not disappointed when i don't keep them.
What countries did you visit?
Just the USA.
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A husband.
What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
1. May 1st: the day Brian came home for R&R.
2. May 18th: the day Brian left from R&R.
3. June 17th: the day Jana's son was born.
4. November 28th: the day I moved to Louisiana.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Just simply surviving.
What was your biggest failure?
Not doing enough for Brian.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
*knocks on wood* No.
What was the best thing you bought?
Our new washer and dryer. They rock and I told Brian he cannot hurt them or I will hurt him.
Where did most of your money go?
Furnishings for the house.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Brian's R&R.
What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Both. Happier that my life is about to be in motion. Sadder that I am 8 hours away from my hilariously wonderful family.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Neither, just more fit.
iii. richer or poorer?
Money wise: Richer. Thank you Army for that one.
Life wise: Richer. I got to spend a year with my family and my husband is about to be home.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel and work.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Sat on my butt and avoided phone calls.
Did you fall in love in 2008?
No, kind of past the fall-in-love part of life.
How many one-night stands?
Never ever.
What was your favorite TV program?
I have alot: Cold Case, Gossip Girl, Heroes, Without A Trace, Top Chef, House, CSI, Friday Night Lights, Amazing Race, American Idol (David Cook!!), Intervention...
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate, I just strongly dislike. And yes, there might be.
What was the best book you read?
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer for sure.
What were your greatest musical discoveries?
David Cook and Straight No Chaser.
What did you want and get?
Everything in this house.
What was your favorite film of this year?
I can't pick just one: Indiana Jones, Iron Man, Twilight...
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I think I went out to eat. I don't even remember. I turned 23.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having Brian around more.
What kept you sane?
My family and Tiny.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Derek Jeter - always!
Who did you miss?
Brian.
Who was the best new person you met?
Wow. I'm not sure I met anyone new. Sad.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I learned the importance of communication.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
This isn't a song lyric, but it's too good to pass up:
"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." --Carlos Castaneda
Monday, December 29, 2008
Back in LA.
Well, I made it. I rolled onto post around 1:30 yesterday after about 7.5 hours of driving. Somehow I shaved 30 minutes off the trip. Not sure how. I didn't escape rain this trip like I thought I would. It rained for about an hour once I was on 171 in LA. I have definitely driven in worse and there wasn't any traffic, so I didn't mind too much. Tiny and I were both pretty exhausted yesterday so we called it a night early.
We were both up early this morning too. Tiny wanted to go out around 7:30 and I got back in bed til 8:15. I generally love being lazy, but I feel a deadline looming (aka Brian coming home and the in-laws arriving). Before I went home for Christmas, there wasn't anyone seeing this house but me. Now I need to clean, unpack and prepare. There were and still are essentials that I had been living without, but need to make sure I have now (think steak knives and more than 4 drinking glasses). I dropped a pretty penny at WalMart this morning and got alot of the things I needed. The last major shopping excursion will be in the next couple days to the commissary. I'm a little stressed about that one. I made a list and menu today to make sure I get everything I need to at least get through Brian's homecoming with the in-laws. I really hope I can find places for all that food in the pantry. I have bare necessities right now and that takes up 3 shelves. They're not completely taken up, but the pantry shelves are weird. They're deeper than they are wide and they're very dark. I'm pretty sure that food could and probably will get lost in the deep recesses of the pantry shelves. I'm sure I'll figure something out.
I officially emptied all the tubs I brough with me from Abilene. There are still SO many boxes, but they can all be dealt with later. I can't put that kind of pressure on myself. Today I also washed all my new towels. Who knew that new towels could give off SO MUCH LINT!!! You wouldn't believe what the washing machine looked like inside and then the lint catcher on the dryer. Oh my! They're all clean now and stacked neatly in the linen closet upstairs. I'm looking forward to trying one of them tomorrow.
Well, guys have started returning to Ft. Polk. I keep obsessively checking the website to watch how the times for different welcome home ceremonies keep changing. We still have at least a couple days til Brian returns because last I spoke to him he was still in Baghdad. Rumor has it he'll be in Kuwait tomorrow, but until he makes it there the anxiety/anticipation can't really begin. I know I will get a phone call from the FRG with a flight number and time frame, so until then I'm just going about my days. Once I get that phone call, however, things will start moving really fast.
Hopefully I'll write again before he's back, but there really aren't any guarantees.
S.
We were both up early this morning too. Tiny wanted to go out around 7:30 and I got back in bed til 8:15. I generally love being lazy, but I feel a deadline looming (aka Brian coming home and the in-laws arriving). Before I went home for Christmas, there wasn't anyone seeing this house but me. Now I need to clean, unpack and prepare. There were and still are essentials that I had been living without, but need to make sure I have now (think steak knives and more than 4 drinking glasses). I dropped a pretty penny at WalMart this morning and got alot of the things I needed. The last major shopping excursion will be in the next couple days to the commissary. I'm a little stressed about that one. I made a list and menu today to make sure I get everything I need to at least get through Brian's homecoming with the in-laws. I really hope I can find places for all that food in the pantry. I have bare necessities right now and that takes up 3 shelves. They're not completely taken up, but the pantry shelves are weird. They're deeper than they are wide and they're very dark. I'm pretty sure that food could and probably will get lost in the deep recesses of the pantry shelves. I'm sure I'll figure something out.
I officially emptied all the tubs I brough with me from Abilene. There are still SO many boxes, but they can all be dealt with later. I can't put that kind of pressure on myself. Today I also washed all my new towels. Who knew that new towels could give off SO MUCH LINT!!! You wouldn't believe what the washing machine looked like inside and then the lint catcher on the dryer. Oh my! They're all clean now and stacked neatly in the linen closet upstairs. I'm looking forward to trying one of them tomorrow.
Well, guys have started returning to Ft. Polk. I keep obsessively checking the website to watch how the times for different welcome home ceremonies keep changing. We still have at least a couple days til Brian returns because last I spoke to him he was still in Baghdad. Rumor has it he'll be in Kuwait tomorrow, but until he makes it there the anxiety/anticipation can't really begin. I know I will get a phone call from the FRG with a flight number and time frame, so until then I'm just going about my days. Once I get that phone call, however, things will start moving really fast.
Hopefully I'll write again before he's back, but there really aren't any guarantees.
S.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Leaving again..and Christmas recap.
I am taking a break from packing to do this blog. Yes, I am packing...again.
First, my Christmas recap. Christmas is always perfect in this house. We woke up to a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, plain ole rolls and hot chocolate. Dad played Santa in his classic plaid nightshirt and we all opened our presents in an orderly fashion. I think we all made out pretty well. The men got alot of clothes while Mom and I got alot of kitchen gadgets. I came away with a crockpot, an ice cream scoop, magnetic kitchen clips, a basting brush, a nightgown, a robe, black flats, a metal star, placemats, two pairs of earrings, a picture frame with picture, the Twilight book set, a white button up, a chopping kitchen thing, a bread maker, and the David Cook CD. I think that's everything. I had to buy 3 big storage bins yesterday so I can get it all home in the truck. I have accumulated so many things - not just from Christmas - over the last 2 and 1/2 weeks that those 3 bins (plus a wrapping paper container) are full.
I still have clothes and bathroom stuff to pack as well as the Wii, but that won't take me long. I am so very sad to be saying good bye to here again. I know it will be awhile until I am here like this again. There is just something about being with my family with no agenda or plan. We have so much fun together and I cherish each and every one of them. They love me without question, defend me to any end, and laugh with me and anything and everything. They are the reason I am who I am today. I am not everyone's cup of tea, but they love me, so I love me. I will miss them something awful. I hope that everything with Brian coming home happens fast so I don't have too much time to think there. I also hope I can find homes for everything in boxes so the house doesn't feel so...out of order. Oh, and I definitely hope that my long drive tomorrow is uneventful.
I guess I should resume packing and watch the end of Miracle on ABC. Next time I'll be coming to you from Louisiana again.
S.
First, my Christmas recap. Christmas is always perfect in this house. We woke up to a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, plain ole rolls and hot chocolate. Dad played Santa in his classic plaid nightshirt and we all opened our presents in an orderly fashion. I think we all made out pretty well. The men got alot of clothes while Mom and I got alot of kitchen gadgets. I came away with a crockpot, an ice cream scoop, magnetic kitchen clips, a basting brush, a nightgown, a robe, black flats, a metal star, placemats, two pairs of earrings, a picture frame with picture, the Twilight book set, a white button up, a chopping kitchen thing, a bread maker, and the David Cook CD. I think that's everything. I had to buy 3 big storage bins yesterday so I can get it all home in the truck. I have accumulated so many things - not just from Christmas - over the last 2 and 1/2 weeks that those 3 bins (plus a wrapping paper container) are full.
I still have clothes and bathroom stuff to pack as well as the Wii, but that won't take me long. I am so very sad to be saying good bye to here again. I know it will be awhile until I am here like this again. There is just something about being with my family with no agenda or plan. We have so much fun together and I cherish each and every one of them. They love me without question, defend me to any end, and laugh with me and anything and everything. They are the reason I am who I am today. I am not everyone's cup of tea, but they love me, so I love me. I will miss them something awful. I hope that everything with Brian coming home happens fast so I don't have too much time to think there. I also hope I can find homes for everything in boxes so the house doesn't feel so...out of order. Oh, and I definitely hope that my long drive tomorrow is uneventful.
I guess I should resume packing and watch the end of Miracle on ABC. Next time I'll be coming to you from Louisiana again.
S.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Eve Eve 2008.
Hello there. I have a few things to cover tonight.
I am listening to Straight No Chaser, a men's a cappella group born at Indiana University in 1996. Since I was a choir nerd for 7 years, I have a big soft spot for a cappella music, especially when sung by men. I saw a thing on them on CNN at the food court with Mom on Saturday, but missed their name or sound because the TVs in the food court don't exactly have their sound blaring. I came home and searched around and found them on youtube and my love affair was born. They put out a Christmas album this year after a record exec saw a youtube video of them from over 10 years ago on the internet last year. It's amazing what 10 men in their early 30s can do with their voices alone. I highly highly recommend you at least watch that youtube video of them. I promise you will chuckle.
Tonight I baked a dozen chocolate chip cream cheese muffins. I thought about it and realized that since I have been home I have baked:
-two batches of chocolate snowquake cookies
-one batch of "nanny cookies"
-and this batch of muffins
That really doesn't look like much written down, but they sure took a long time and I didn't botch any of them. I guess I was getting all my cookie baking out of my system while I was here with my mom's KitchenAid mixer. I find something so therapeutic about baking.
Moving on. Today is Christmas Eve Eve which means that this afternoon the Taillon fam headed to Dairy Queen for our annual Eve Eve celebration. I had a gross chicken sandwich, decent fries, and a delish peanut butter cup blizzard. Picture evidence:
^^I wish I had taken a picture of the food.
^^We were happy to be there.
That squiggly thing is a GRAY HAIR!!!! WTF?! How long has that been hiding there? How old am I? Why is it such a weird texture? Will all my hair eventually turn into this??? Please no! Luckily it's buried deep in my hair where it shouldn't ever rear it's ugly head in public, but still, now I know it's in there! I am not old enough for this. I think my mom thought it was funny. I, however, definitely did not!!!
Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, Brian should start his journey home. Wow. I have known this for about a week now and I have been putting it off in my mind. I am determined to make the very most of this Christmas with my family. Once Christmas is over, then I will start focusing on my emotions, getting back to LA, and everything I need to accomplish before the in-laws and Brian arrive. So far this is working remarkably well. Despite the gray hair that I will blame on the last year, I have been surprisingly laid back. I've spent alot of time with my parents (less with Keith due to his work schedule), and generally spent this time like I was on vacation. I wish I had gotten to the gym more, but 'tis life. I'll get back to it soon. I even might try to go in the morning since we don't have anything going on til 2ish. Anyway, here's to wishing Brian safe travels and a quick uneventful return to the United States.
That is all for today. Perhaps more tomorrow from our Red Lobster lunch/dinner and drive through Christmas Lane.
S.
I am listening to Straight No Chaser, a men's a cappella group born at Indiana University in 1996. Since I was a choir nerd for 7 years, I have a big soft spot for a cappella music, especially when sung by men. I saw a thing on them on CNN at the food court with Mom on Saturday, but missed their name or sound because the TVs in the food court don't exactly have their sound blaring. I came home and searched around and found them on youtube and my love affair was born. They put out a Christmas album this year after a record exec saw a youtube video of them from over 10 years ago on the internet last year. It's amazing what 10 men in their early 30s can do with their voices alone. I highly highly recommend you at least watch that youtube video of them. I promise you will chuckle.
Tonight I baked a dozen chocolate chip cream cheese muffins. I thought about it and realized that since I have been home I have baked:
-two batches of chocolate snowquake cookies
-one batch of "nanny cookies"
-and this batch of muffins
That really doesn't look like much written down, but they sure took a long time and I didn't botch any of them. I guess I was getting all my cookie baking out of my system while I was here with my mom's KitchenAid mixer. I find something so therapeutic about baking.
Moving on. Today is Christmas Eve Eve which means that this afternoon the Taillon fam headed to Dairy Queen for our annual Eve Eve celebration. I had a gross chicken sandwich, decent fries, and a delish peanut butter cup blizzard. Picture evidence:
^^I wish I had taken a picture of the food.
^^We were happy to be there.Before DQ I was straightening my hair and found THIS:
That squiggly thing is a GRAY HAIR!!!! WTF?! How long has that been hiding there? How old am I? Why is it such a weird texture? Will all my hair eventually turn into this??? Please no! Luckily it's buried deep in my hair where it shouldn't ever rear it's ugly head in public, but still, now I know it's in there! I am not old enough for this. I think my mom thought it was funny. I, however, definitely did not!!!
Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, Brian should start his journey home. Wow. I have known this for about a week now and I have been putting it off in my mind. I am determined to make the very most of this Christmas with my family. Once Christmas is over, then I will start focusing on my emotions, getting back to LA, and everything I need to accomplish before the in-laws and Brian arrive. So far this is working remarkably well. Despite the gray hair that I will blame on the last year, I have been surprisingly laid back. I've spent alot of time with my parents (less with Keith due to his work schedule), and generally spent this time like I was on vacation. I wish I had gotten to the gym more, but 'tis life. I'll get back to it soon. I even might try to go in the morning since we don't have anything going on til 2ish. Anyway, here's to wishing Brian safe travels and a quick uneventful return to the United States.
That is all for today. Perhaps more tomorrow from our Red Lobster lunch/dinner and drive through Christmas Lane.
S.
I'm procrastinating.
If I listed everything I should have done this morning, should be doing right now, or should do really soon, it would be much too long, boring, and depressing.
I have given up on the gym. I was too tired this morning and the cold weather is getting to me. Not to mention I'm still battling a stuffy nose. It's my vacation after all. Right? My abs haven't turned to mush yet and last time I went to the gym I could still do my normal work out. We'll see.
Today is Christmas Eve Eve. Every Christmas season, I am really counting down until today. Today marks the beginning of Taillon family tradition. Today we always go to Dairy Queen -and it has to be the one on South 14th/US 277 - for dinner. We have done this every year we have lived in Abilene. Generally we go for dinner and then go to Christmas Lane at the Abilene State School, but this year we have to go for a late lunch because Keith is working 4p-1a at JCP. Maybe we won't get to Christmas Lane this year. Hm.
Tomorrow on Christmas Eve we always go to Red Lobster for a late lunch. See, it's tradition in Italian families (I'm 1/4, Mom is 1/2) to eat seafood on Christmas Eve and Red Lobster is the closest we can get in the middle of West Texas. And then, suddenly, it's Christmas morning. On Christmas morning we open some presents then break to make cinnamon rolls and yeast rolls and hot chocolate for breakfast. After we finish with the gift unwrapping, we start getting our big Italian feast ready. Mom is making sauce again this year - and if I'm smart I'll be hands on helping so it will rub off on me - which will get added to chicken parm and spaghetti. We love us some good Italian food!!
I checked the weather before this and it's looking like a Sunday morning departure (at the crack of dawn) is going to work out. As of right now there shouldn't be any rain or precipitation of any kind that day. I'll be dealing with holiday traffic, but I'm hoping to get out of here early enough and get through DFW early enough. Once you get through DFW, you're kind of home free.
I know Mom is sad to see me leave again, but, honestly, I'm almost ready to get there and get this whole thing over with. I vow to enjoy Christmas before I start freaking out about everything else I have going on. Once Christmas is over, tho, I'll be ready to muscle through getting back to LA, doing a ton of shopping/cleaning/organizing, entertaining the in-laws, and witnessing the return of my husband who I haven't seen in almost 8 months by then.
Perhaps I'll write a blog soon about my fears and concerns surrounding Brian's homecoming.
I think Tiny is hungry and I should jump in the shower before Jana shows up around noon.
S.
I have given up on the gym. I was too tired this morning and the cold weather is getting to me. Not to mention I'm still battling a stuffy nose. It's my vacation after all. Right? My abs haven't turned to mush yet and last time I went to the gym I could still do my normal work out. We'll see.
Today is Christmas Eve Eve. Every Christmas season, I am really counting down until today. Today marks the beginning of Taillon family tradition. Today we always go to Dairy Queen -and it has to be the one on South 14th/US 277 - for dinner. We have done this every year we have lived in Abilene. Generally we go for dinner and then go to Christmas Lane at the Abilene State School, but this year we have to go for a late lunch because Keith is working 4p-1a at JCP. Maybe we won't get to Christmas Lane this year. Hm.
Tomorrow on Christmas Eve we always go to Red Lobster for a late lunch. See, it's tradition in Italian families (I'm 1/4, Mom is 1/2) to eat seafood on Christmas Eve and Red Lobster is the closest we can get in the middle of West Texas. And then, suddenly, it's Christmas morning. On Christmas morning we open some presents then break to make cinnamon rolls and yeast rolls and hot chocolate for breakfast. After we finish with the gift unwrapping, we start getting our big Italian feast ready. Mom is making sauce again this year - and if I'm smart I'll be hands on helping so it will rub off on me - which will get added to chicken parm and spaghetti. We love us some good Italian food!!
I checked the weather before this and it's looking like a Sunday morning departure (at the crack of dawn) is going to work out. As of right now there shouldn't be any rain or precipitation of any kind that day. I'll be dealing with holiday traffic, but I'm hoping to get out of here early enough and get through DFW early enough. Once you get through DFW, you're kind of home free.
I know Mom is sad to see me leave again, but, honestly, I'm almost ready to get there and get this whole thing over with. I vow to enjoy Christmas before I start freaking out about everything else I have going on. Once Christmas is over, tho, I'll be ready to muscle through getting back to LA, doing a ton of shopping/cleaning/organizing, entertaining the in-laws, and witnessing the return of my husband who I haven't seen in almost 8 months by then.
Perhaps I'll write a blog soon about my fears and concerns surrounding Brian's homecoming.
I think Tiny is hungry and I should jump in the shower before Jana shows up around noon.
S.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Seasonal Cold: Day 3.
Mom and I are still in rough shape - she more so than I am. I've slept fitfully for about 3 nights now and have gone through at least a half box of tissues. I think I might have peaked (thank God!), but Mom is still miserable. I hope she gets to feeling better soon so we can healthily get into our Taillon family traditions!
The Christmas tree below was a gift from one of Mom's co-workers. It's so adorable, no? The picture doesn't do it justice actually. It is plastic, has an LED light inside that changes colors and - this is the best part - it plugs into the USB port of my computer! I wish I knew where to get my very own. If I had my own, I would probably keep it out year round!
Last night my parents and I went to the local burger joint - Mr. Burger for dinner. It was satisfying and a nice fun night out with my parents. You would never know from the pictures that Mom and I weren't feeling so hot.
I haven't gotten a dang thing accomplished today. I should have wrapped the last two gifts that are sitting on the couch, but I didn't. I actually need to get out of bed and make the dough for some cookies we make every year. I wonder if I can get it done in 17 minutes before Cold Case comes on. Hmm...I'm gonna try. :)
S.
The Christmas tree below was a gift from one of Mom's co-workers. It's so adorable, no? The picture doesn't do it justice actually. It is plastic, has an LED light inside that changes colors and - this is the best part - it plugs into the USB port of my computer! I wish I knew where to get my very own. If I had my own, I would probably keep it out year round!
Last night my parents and I went to the local burger joint - Mr. Burger for dinner. It was satisfying and a nice fun night out with my parents. You would never know from the pictures that Mom and I weren't feeling so hot.
I haven't gotten a dang thing accomplished today. I should have wrapped the last two gifts that are sitting on the couch, but I didn't. I actually need to get out of bed and make the dough for some cookies we make every year. I wonder if I can get it done in 17 minutes before Cold Case comes on. Hmm...I'm gonna try. :)
S.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Good News and Overwhelming Best Buy.
Guess who's coming home even earlier than previously thought?! Yes, Brian is. My original plan was to head back on the 30th and that would give me enough time to do some serious grocery shopping and pick up a few other odds and ends. Oh, and to tidy up the house...ya know, stack boxes on top of other boxes and make it not look quite as dormy. Well, that date has moved up by at least 2 days. It was going to be 3, but I looked at weather and it's supposed to be raining most of the journey on the 27th, so right now I'm shooting for the 28th.
This news has set my list-making into a frenzy. I already have a list of meal ideas and what they would entail and a list of things to buy once I get back there. I still probably need a list of just plain old things to do and maybe a list of things to do that I probably won't get to (or maybe that would just be depressing?). There's always a list of things I should clean and things to put through the washing machine.
Before I even can get back there, I have to figure out how to get everything I've acquired while home back there. I think some big plastic tubs may be in order to throw in the bed of the truck. And to think I thought the truck had more than enough room for the three of us (Brian, Tiny, and me). I was so so wrong. I had just enough room to get Tiny and me here so it'll be interesting getting all 3 of us here next time.
I met my MIL at Best Buy today to get Brian's new computer. See, his computer had enough hardware problems in the last 2 years to reward him with a brand-spanking-new laptop. I told him I was going to steal it, but I don't think a new Gateway could steal me away from my precious baby Dell. I should wrap up the new one, put a bow on it, and tell Brian it's his Christmas present. Ha!! I have learned 2 things from this computer thing: (1) I will never buy another Gateway and (2) I do not like warranties. The reasons for not liking warranties will remain in my brain.
I'm getting sick so going to the mall from 3:30-5 this afternoon was torture. I was walking around Best Buy browsing before the MIL showed up and I had to go outside to escape. It was really hot in there (to me anyway) and (OMG!) the amount of adolescents running around. I just couldn't handle it. How can I browse movies or video games when there are 10 other people in the aisle?! I am not cut out for last minute, peak shopping times, Christmas shopping.
Speaking of Christmas shopping...I have alot of wrapping to do. Mom's afraid we won't have enough paper. Maybe I'll grab a roll at the BX tomorrow to get some of my stuff taken care of. I have had every Christmas present sitting in bags next to my bed for a week and haven't gotten it together and gotten them wrapped already. I know it'll take a marathon session now. Fun fun.
I hope I sleep better tonight than last night...
S.
This news has set my list-making into a frenzy. I already have a list of meal ideas and what they would entail and a list of things to buy once I get back there. I still probably need a list of just plain old things to do and maybe a list of things to do that I probably won't get to (or maybe that would just be depressing?). There's always a list of things I should clean and things to put through the washing machine.
Before I even can get back there, I have to figure out how to get everything I've acquired while home back there. I think some big plastic tubs may be in order to throw in the bed of the truck. And to think I thought the truck had more than enough room for the three of us (Brian, Tiny, and me). I was so so wrong. I had just enough room to get Tiny and me here so it'll be interesting getting all 3 of us here next time.
I met my MIL at Best Buy today to get Brian's new computer. See, his computer had enough hardware problems in the last 2 years to reward him with a brand-spanking-new laptop. I told him I was going to steal it, but I don't think a new Gateway could steal me away from my precious baby Dell. I should wrap up the new one, put a bow on it, and tell Brian it's his Christmas present. Ha!! I have learned 2 things from this computer thing: (1) I will never buy another Gateway and (2) I do not like warranties. The reasons for not liking warranties will remain in my brain.
I'm getting sick so going to the mall from 3:30-5 this afternoon was torture. I was walking around Best Buy browsing before the MIL showed up and I had to go outside to escape. It was really hot in there (to me anyway) and (OMG!) the amount of adolescents running around. I just couldn't handle it. How can I browse movies or video games when there are 10 other people in the aisle?! I am not cut out for last minute, peak shopping times, Christmas shopping.
Speaking of Christmas shopping...I have alot of wrapping to do. Mom's afraid we won't have enough paper. Maybe I'll grab a roll at the BX tomorrow to get some of my stuff taken care of. I have had every Christmas present sitting in bags next to my bed for a week and haven't gotten it together and gotten them wrapped already. I know it'll take a marathon session now. Fun fun.
I hope I sleep better tonight than last night...
S.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I feel a sickness coming on.
I felt fine all day. I slept in this morning (til 9!), jumped in the shower, got lunch on base with Mom and Keith, ran a bunch of errands, ate dinner, and then baked another batch of the best chocolate cookies for Mom to give as gifts to friends and coworkers. The hints of congestion and exhaustion didn't show up until after the last batch of cookies was cooling on the wire rack. It was like one minute I was a-ok and the next I wanted to curl up in bed for 3 days. I immediately inhaled a Claritin-D, put on my comfiest PJs, and pressed play on the Will & Grace DVD in the DVD player. I think an early night is in my future and we'll put a trip to the gym in the morning in my maybe column. I really hope this isn't some big bad cold that will make me miserable for the next week.
Normally I can find something to ramble on about for 5 paragraphs, but not tonight kids. Tonight I am really, truly going to veg out right here in bed and will myself to feel better.
S.
Normally I can find something to ramble on about for 5 paragraphs, but not tonight kids. Tonight I am really, truly going to veg out right here in bed and will myself to feel better.
S.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Grandparents.
An hour ago I ventured to the mailbox in my icky robe to get the mail. Figures someone would drive by right at that moment. That's not the point of this story, however. In the mail I found Christmas cards from my grandparents and great-grandmother. Throughout my entire life each of us has gotten a card with a check in it for every Christmas and birthday. There were even years when we got cards for such trivial holidays as Halloween and Valentine's day with a $5 bill inside. We always lived far away from my grandparents and they aren't very lovey-dovey people, so these cards and the money bestowed on us was always a symbol of their love. My brother and I always knew we'd have a nice chunk of change to spend on ourselves after Christmas compliments of the grandparents.
This year I pulled out two cards - one from the grandparents and one from the great-grandmother - and they both were addressed to my parents "and family". This is the first year that our entire family has gotten a bulk card from either of them and since when are Keith and I "and family"? I thought about saving the cards for when Mom got home at 4, but I was too curious to see what was inside. Sure enough, in each card there are 3 checks - one for my parents, one for me, and one for Keith. They're all for the same amounts they always are so no change there. I mean, I guess I could argue that the economy sucks and money is tight so maybe my grandparents wanted to save the $10 in cards and stamps for my brother and I, but I know that my grandparents have more money stashed away (unwisely) in CDs and other crazy investments that they can darn well afford the cards. Who knows what the real rationalization behind that was.
The other thing I noticed that really made me sad was what was written inside the card from my grandparents. I noticed my grandmother's handwriting has gotten sloppier and started showing her age. It was a card for a daughter and son-in-law (my parents) and inside my grandmother wrote "Dear [Mom], [Dad] and family," Again, my brother and I have been lumped into the general category of "family". Maybe the cat and dogs are included in there too. There also wasn't any message. She usually underlines random words in the card that she wants to be emphasized, but not this year. It was simply signed "Love, Mom and Dad".
I'm not angry, upset, or disappointed. I am just plain ole sad. I know my grandparents are getting old and I know this fact is much harder on my mom than it is on me. I don't fault them for downgrading to one card or leaving mine and Keith's names off the card and envelope. I am just sad that it has happened. At this point in my life, I would rather have a card like in years past than have the check from this year. I don't need their money, and truth be told, I don't need them either, but I'd like to have them around. My grandmother is slowly - and surely - losing her mind. I don't mean that to be a joke at all, I am dead serious when I type that. She is a shell of the woman she used to be. This has put much - if not all - of the burden of their lives on my grandfather who is not the most personable or thoughtful man. Therefore I should not be surprised when he is put in charge of cards that they downsize.
I could probably write a novel about my grandparents and the dysfunction that lives there, but it's much to complicated to get it all typed out. Besides, what good would it do? They are who they are and at this point, there's not a dang thing anybody can do about it. I hope and pray everyday that they will show up for my wedding in August, but I know not to expect too much. They are old, after all, and the show will go on with or without them. If I have to send them a photo album of the wedding, I will. I'd really rather them be there, though. They used to visit every year and we are quickly closing in on 2 years since any of us have seen them.
Guess it's just a sad, lazy day around here.
S.
Oh, and neither of them can grasp the concept that I got married to Brian over a year ago. Checks are still made out to me with my maiden name making it super fun to cash them!
This year I pulled out two cards - one from the grandparents and one from the great-grandmother - and they both were addressed to my parents "and family". This is the first year that our entire family has gotten a bulk card from either of them and since when are Keith and I "and family"? I thought about saving the cards for when Mom got home at 4, but I was too curious to see what was inside. Sure enough, in each card there are 3 checks - one for my parents, one for me, and one for Keith. They're all for the same amounts they always are so no change there. I mean, I guess I could argue that the economy sucks and money is tight so maybe my grandparents wanted to save the $10 in cards and stamps for my brother and I, but I know that my grandparents have more money stashed away (unwisely) in CDs and other crazy investments that they can darn well afford the cards. Who knows what the real rationalization behind that was.
The other thing I noticed that really made me sad was what was written inside the card from my grandparents. I noticed my grandmother's handwriting has gotten sloppier and started showing her age. It was a card for a daughter and son-in-law (my parents) and inside my grandmother wrote "Dear [Mom], [Dad] and family," Again, my brother and I have been lumped into the general category of "family". Maybe the cat and dogs are included in there too. There also wasn't any message. She usually underlines random words in the card that she wants to be emphasized, but not this year. It was simply signed "Love, Mom and Dad".
I'm not angry, upset, or disappointed. I am just plain ole sad. I know my grandparents are getting old and I know this fact is much harder on my mom than it is on me. I don't fault them for downgrading to one card or leaving mine and Keith's names off the card and envelope. I am just sad that it has happened. At this point in my life, I would rather have a card like in years past than have the check from this year. I don't need their money, and truth be told, I don't need them either, but I'd like to have them around. My grandmother is slowly - and surely - losing her mind. I don't mean that to be a joke at all, I am dead serious when I type that. She is a shell of the woman she used to be. This has put much - if not all - of the burden of their lives on my grandfather who is not the most personable or thoughtful man. Therefore I should not be surprised when he is put in charge of cards that they downsize.
I could probably write a novel about my grandparents and the dysfunction that lives there, but it's much to complicated to get it all typed out. Besides, what good would it do? They are who they are and at this point, there's not a dang thing anybody can do about it. I hope and pray everyday that they will show up for my wedding in August, but I know not to expect too much. They are old, after all, and the show will go on with or without them. If I have to send them a photo album of the wedding, I will. I'd really rather them be there, though. They used to visit every year and we are quickly closing in on 2 years since any of us have seen them.
Guess it's just a sad, lazy day around here.
S.
Oh, and neither of them can grasp the concept that I got married to Brian over a year ago. Checks are still made out to me with my maiden name making it super fun to cash them!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Brrrr!
I really should dig my camera out of one of my bags and start taking pictures again. For awhile there I was taking pictures all the time, but I've slacked majorly since I've been back home.
I will have been home for a week tomorrow and I haven't heard anything from my in-laws (yet). Guess we'll see what the next week or so has in store. I know Brian was supposed to call them yesterday to tell them the latest on when he'll be home, but I haven't talked to him since then so I'm not sure what actually went down. Maybe I'll hear from him today.
I'm on the verge of completely rethinking my wedding reception so today at lunch Mom and I are heading downtown. The Abilene Preservation League puts out these snow-village-like buildings each year to raise money and Mom has every one. This year's has arrived and she got a phone call to go pick it up at this really pretty old building downtown that also happens to have a big ball room upstairs. We're going to inquire about the room and maybe get a quote or something. If I do change to something downtown then I'll have to start over with catering too. Sometimes I really would like to just say "forget it!" about this whole wedding thing. I mean I'm already married legally. The whole point of this wedding is to get married in the church (which I haven't gone to in quite some time) and to have my family from around the country be involved and in attendance. I know I'll be glad I did it. I also know that if I didn't, I'd regret it later. I just need to get some more big things taken care of (think flowers, cake, and dj) so I don't feel behind or overwhelmed.
Enough wedding talk. It has been frigid here the last 2 days. A few days ago I wore a sweater and was too hot walking around stores. Yesterday I wore a sweater and cursed myself for not also wearing my jacket. I enjoy it feeling like winter here because so often it's more like a harsh fall than a true winter, but at the same time the cold is just uncomfortable. It's like when it's 110 outside in the summer and it makes the pool infinitely better, but you curse the temperature cause it makes being outside so darn uncomfortable. I'm already trying to figure out what I can wear today that will keep me warm. I didn't exactly pack a ton of winter clothes.
Ok, guess I should do something besides sit in bed and blog.
S.
I will have been home for a week tomorrow and I haven't heard anything from my in-laws (yet). Guess we'll see what the next week or so has in store. I know Brian was supposed to call them yesterday to tell them the latest on when he'll be home, but I haven't talked to him since then so I'm not sure what actually went down. Maybe I'll hear from him today.
I'm on the verge of completely rethinking my wedding reception so today at lunch Mom and I are heading downtown. The Abilene Preservation League puts out these snow-village-like buildings each year to raise money and Mom has every one. This year's has arrived and she got a phone call to go pick it up at this really pretty old building downtown that also happens to have a big ball room upstairs. We're going to inquire about the room and maybe get a quote or something. If I do change to something downtown then I'll have to start over with catering too. Sometimes I really would like to just say "forget it!" about this whole wedding thing. I mean I'm already married legally. The whole point of this wedding is to get married in the church (which I haven't gone to in quite some time) and to have my family from around the country be involved and in attendance. I know I'll be glad I did it. I also know that if I didn't, I'd regret it later. I just need to get some more big things taken care of (think flowers, cake, and dj) so I don't feel behind or overwhelmed.
Enough wedding talk. It has been frigid here the last 2 days. A few days ago I wore a sweater and was too hot walking around stores. Yesterday I wore a sweater and cursed myself for not also wearing my jacket. I enjoy it feeling like winter here because so often it's more like a harsh fall than a true winter, but at the same time the cold is just uncomfortable. It's like when it's 110 outside in the summer and it makes the pool infinitely better, but you curse the temperature cause it makes being outside so darn uncomfortable. I'm already trying to figure out what I can wear today that will keep me warm. I didn't exactly pack a ton of winter clothes.
Ok, guess I should do something besides sit in bed and blog.
S.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
And Here I Am Again
I made it back to TX! Tiny and I left Wednesday morning at 6 am (it was still dark outside) and hit Abilene a little before 2. The drive was totally uneventful and traffic free. It was freezing (literally) cold and I thought I would hit some wintery weather in east Texas, but I guess God was watching out for me and cleared it all up before I got there. I did hit some rain in LA, but nothing terrible. Tiny and I stopped once at this cool Texas-y gas station/convenience store/bbq restaurant. I filled up on gas, Tiny wandered around without peeing, and I picked up a couple treats to bring to the family. I kept waiting for Tiny to complain and want to go potty, but he never did. 8 hours in the car, and he never did any sort of bathroom. I can't complain. He's an amazing traveller which I am eternally grateful for.
Since I've been here, I've gotten a ton of Christmas shopping done and have eaten more cookie dough than I thought humanly possible. I have enjoyed having my family around to talk to face to face whenever I want to. I've missed Keith because he's been working a whole bunch, but I think he has a few days off between now and Christmas to make up for it. So far today Mom and I have gone to the gym, ran errands, and I made hot cocoa mix to enjoy and give to a couple people for Christmas. So very productive, lemme tell ya! I also managed to get the vast majority of my Christmas shopping done yesterday. I still need things for Brian, a couple odds and ends to complete gifts, and to get a TON of wrapping done. I was impressed with everything I bought at the mall yesterday. I hope everyone likes my choices.
Tonight I am on my own. Mom has a wedding through the dinner hour, Keith is working then going out with friends, and Dad is in Dallas for a half-marathon. I guess I should think about what I want to do with myself. Too bad all my booze is still in LA! Ha.
As for this afternoon...I am going to get out of this bed and migrate over to the couch to get in some quality time with my Wii. Til next time...
S.
Since I've been here, I've gotten a ton of Christmas shopping done and have eaten more cookie dough than I thought humanly possible. I have enjoyed having my family around to talk to face to face whenever I want to. I've missed Keith because he's been working a whole bunch, but I think he has a few days off between now and Christmas to make up for it. So far today Mom and I have gone to the gym, ran errands, and I made hot cocoa mix to enjoy and give to a couple people for Christmas. So very productive, lemme tell ya! I also managed to get the vast majority of my Christmas shopping done yesterday. I still need things for Brian, a couple odds and ends to complete gifts, and to get a TON of wrapping done. I was impressed with everything I bought at the mall yesterday. I hope everyone likes my choices.
Tonight I am on my own. Mom has a wedding through the dinner hour, Keith is working then going out with friends, and Dad is in Dallas for a half-marathon. I guess I should think about what I want to do with myself. Too bad all my booze is still in LA! Ha.
As for this afternoon...I am going to get out of this bed and migrate over to the couch to get in some quality time with my Wii. Til next time...
S.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Rain, Rain, Go Away!
It is a rather dreary day today here in LA. It's been raining on and off since late last night with the nice addition of high winds which blows said rain onto normally dry covered patios. Super fun with Tiny.
Right now I am vegging out on my bed watching Transformers on HBO. Have I mentioned how I get HBO on channel 7 in my bedroom, but downstairs on my digital cable, channel 7 doesn't exist? Weird, huh? I have packed everything I can pack tonight. I managed to fit a ton of clothes in my duffel that will hopefully last me the 2-3 weeks at home. Electronics and daily bathroom necessities are the only things left to pack and there should be enough room.
I'll have alot to do tomorrow morning. I need to lock up my trashcan, pick up 1-2 poos in the backyard, unlock the back gate so the lawn guys can get back there, throw away any food that will go bad, and unplug everything.
I almost forgot - I still need to pack everything for Tiny. I'm planning on packing about a week's worth of food so I don't mooch off the parents the entire time. I also need to pack his meds, treats, and make sure not to forget his leash.
I'm a pretty efficient packer (I make list within list) so it should all get done rather quickly at the crack of dawn tomorrow. I am shooting to leave as early as possible (by 6am) so I can hit the least amount of traffic and get around DFW by lunch time. I just looked up sunrise tomorrow for here and it's not til 7am. Guess I'll be driving for an hour or so in the dark. Hmm. I'd rather drive in morning dark than night dark. I also hope that when I hit Shreveport around 8:30 that there isn't alot of morning traffic. I'll just go and plug along and get home when I get home.
Ok, I guess I'll end here. I got sidetracked looking at maps and figuring out how to get home. Don't mind me. Coming to you next from the grand state of Texas!
S.
Right now I am vegging out on my bed watching Transformers on HBO. Have I mentioned how I get HBO on channel 7 in my bedroom, but downstairs on my digital cable, channel 7 doesn't exist? Weird, huh? I have packed everything I can pack tonight. I managed to fit a ton of clothes in my duffel that will hopefully last me the 2-3 weeks at home. Electronics and daily bathroom necessities are the only things left to pack and there should be enough room.
I'll have alot to do tomorrow morning. I need to lock up my trashcan, pick up 1-2 poos in the backyard, unlock the back gate so the lawn guys can get back there, throw away any food that will go bad, and unplug everything.
I almost forgot - I still need to pack everything for Tiny. I'm planning on packing about a week's worth of food so I don't mooch off the parents the entire time. I also need to pack his meds, treats, and make sure not to forget his leash.
I'm a pretty efficient packer (I make list within list) so it should all get done rather quickly at the crack of dawn tomorrow. I am shooting to leave as early as possible (by 6am) so I can hit the least amount of traffic and get around DFW by lunch time. I just looked up sunrise tomorrow for here and it's not til 7am. Guess I'll be driving for an hour or so in the dark. Hmm. I'd rather drive in morning dark than night dark. I also hope that when I hit Shreveport around 8:30 that there isn't alot of morning traffic. I'll just go and plug along and get home when I get home.
Ok, I guess I'll end here. I got sidetracked looking at maps and figuring out how to get home. Don't mind me. Coming to you next from the grand state of Texas!
S.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Choosing to be Strong.
The last of my packages arrived this morning so I should be heading home early Wednesday morning (due to rain all day tomorrow). I am more than ready to be out of here and back to a place full of love and comfort. I have not been having an easy time of late and desperately need some fun and maybe some retail therapy. Oh and baking. I can't forget the baking. I am trying to choose to be happy, but that's always easier said than done. It is hard for me to be so confused and not have a clear answer. I am a problem solver - always have been - but this problem has become bigger and more complicated than I am prepared to conquer. I pray that I wake up tomorrow with a smile on my face. In (hopefully less than) 48 hours I'll be home sweet home.
Tiny had an unexpected trip to the vet this afternoon. I finally got around to bringing his papers to the vet so they could get his info into the computer and I found out that in TX they have 3 year rabies vaccines and here they require them every year. So...he needed a new rabies vaccine along with a couple other things I'm not sure about. It cost $50 which I'm sure is cheaper than it would have cost at home. I like the vet here - the place, not the actual veterinarian. Tiny actually saw this super young guy fresh out of AIT a couple paygrades below Brian. He was awkward and I felt kinda sorry for him. I had to help hold Tiny's front leg so he could draw blood...never had to do that before! Tiny was a very good boy even tho two smaller girl dogs really wanted to investigate him. One of them somehow got off her leash and was in Tiny's bubble in 2 seconds flat. How is it that I have all 155 lbs of Tiny totally in control and restrained and these people can't even keep their dog on a leash. Incompetence I tell you!
The LoveSac arrived today. Correct LoveSac, Incorrect LoveSac cover. I emailed them about the problem and haven't heard back yet. I am hoping this can be resolved while I'm in TX cause I am not waiting around here to fix it, that's for dang sure.
Tiny got his first spittle wad on the new TV in the bedroom. It's been about 5 days. Geez Tiny! I need to get some cleaner up here to take care of it before it becomes permanent.
Well, I have a list of things I wanted to get accomplished today and so far I've only done one of them (the vet) so I better get cracking before my shows start at 7.
S.
Tiny had an unexpected trip to the vet this afternoon. I finally got around to bringing his papers to the vet so they could get his info into the computer and I found out that in TX they have 3 year rabies vaccines and here they require them every year. So...he needed a new rabies vaccine along with a couple other things I'm not sure about. It cost $50 which I'm sure is cheaper than it would have cost at home. I like the vet here - the place, not the actual veterinarian. Tiny actually saw this super young guy fresh out of AIT a couple paygrades below Brian. He was awkward and I felt kinda sorry for him. I had to help hold Tiny's front leg so he could draw blood...never had to do that before! Tiny was a very good boy even tho two smaller girl dogs really wanted to investigate him. One of them somehow got off her leash and was in Tiny's bubble in 2 seconds flat. How is it that I have all 155 lbs of Tiny totally in control and restrained and these people can't even keep their dog on a leash. Incompetence I tell you!
The LoveSac arrived today. Correct LoveSac, Incorrect LoveSac cover. I emailed them about the problem and haven't heard back yet. I am hoping this can be resolved while I'm in TX cause I am not waiting around here to fix it, that's for dang sure.
Tiny got his first spittle wad on the new TV in the bedroom. It's been about 5 days. Geez Tiny! I need to get some cleaner up here to take care of it before it becomes permanent.
Well, I have a list of things I wanted to get accomplished today and so far I've only done one of them (the vet) so I better get cracking before my shows start at 7.
S.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
House updates.
^^I love finding Tiny's wildlife creatures around the house in weird positions. This little gem appeared on the futon while I was unpacking the nativity.
^^The finished futon. Well, almost finished. I still need to put the black cover on the mattress, but I need another set of hands for that.
^^My Christmas shelves in the living room.
^^I put two of these together...
^^...using these 23473 pieces...
^^...and these lettered pieces. It took awhile and turned my fingers black. I like the end result tho.
^^I also put the headboard together (screwed 2 legs on...) and got it set up in the bedroom. I think it looks rather handsome with my paisley bedding. Love it!
I'm hoping to be home this week (the sooner the better) and out of boredom the next couple of days I might dive into one of the boxes of dresser parts that need to be put together. We'll see. That's all for now.
S.
Christmas Parade
The housing Christmas parade was yesterday morning and the route went right behind my house. When I first heard the sirens signaling the beginning of the parade, I let Tiny in the back yard to watch. It wasn't a grand parade by any means, but I still didn't mind the random person noticing me on my patio and waving. Some pictures:
S.
S.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Day 4
I want to write, but I don't know what to say. Or maybe I just don't know where to start.
This house is growing on me, but it still doesn't feel homey. I've learned the layout of my cabinets, how the faucets work, and where all the light switches are. Tiny has learned what windows he can see out of and where he likes to lay. I guess we're both starting to feel "at home". Kinda weird. I've noticed that I am much better at cleaning and taking care of this place than I was at my parents house and even at my old house before that. I vacuumed the entire upstairs today, but I blame that on my love for my vacuum. I still have boxes everywhere and I think they'll stay that way for awhile. I obviously have all my daily needs accessible and I know where most thing are in case I need to find them. It's nice having alot of space especially when we don't have enough stuff to fill said space...yet. I don't think this will ever be home to me because I really believe that my parents' house may always resemble home, but it will be home-ier once Brian is back and it's not just me and Tiny.
I ordered a bunch of big ticket items on Thanksgiving day to be delivered here. I planned on staying here for at least 3 weeks before going home for Christmas, but my plans changed. Sunday when I was terribly home sick and lonely, I decided that I was going to wait for my stuff to arrive and then I was heading home asap. So, after I came to that conclusion, I was crossing my fingers for quick shipping. So far 2/3 of my orders have been shipped. My biggest one should be here tomorrow or Friday (!!!) and I really don't know about the other one. I'm hoping Saturday or early next week. I just need that last pesky one to hurry up and get on a UPS or FedEx truck headed for my front door.
I don't feel like myself here. I have never lived 15 minutes from civilization. The only thing around me is a shoppette (aka convenience store/gas station). I have to drive about 10 minutes to the PX and Commissary and then 15-20 minutes to Wal-Mart or anything in "town". Ordinarily if I was living in this house in Abilene, I'd have grabbed lunch somewhere at least once and probably hit up the mall and other home decor stores. Instead I have left this house once (yesterday) since my parents left. Today was day 4 alone in the house. Luckily I am very accomplished at occupying myself during the day. I am very fond of lazy PJ cleaning days. Don't ask me how much cleaning actually gets done. ;-)
I have a few things I need to do tomorrow so maybe I'll leave the house for the second time. I need to bring Tiny's papers to the vet, get a couple things at the PX and check my mail. I should also pick up Tiny's presents in the backyard, do laundry and vacuum downstairs. I don't know why I put my plans on here. I inevitably change them.
I can't wait to go home, bake an insane amount of cookies, enjoy my parents' full-o-ornament tree, eat some of my favorite foods, and babble endlessly at the kitchen table about nothing. I miss their faces and Tiny misses his Nana! Here's to hoping I'll be there by this time next week.
S.
This house is growing on me, but it still doesn't feel homey. I've learned the layout of my cabinets, how the faucets work, and where all the light switches are. Tiny has learned what windows he can see out of and where he likes to lay. I guess we're both starting to feel "at home". Kinda weird. I've noticed that I am much better at cleaning and taking care of this place than I was at my parents house and even at my old house before that. I vacuumed the entire upstairs today, but I blame that on my love for my vacuum. I still have boxes everywhere and I think they'll stay that way for awhile. I obviously have all my daily needs accessible and I know where most thing are in case I need to find them. It's nice having alot of space especially when we don't have enough stuff to fill said space...yet. I don't think this will ever be home to me because I really believe that my parents' house may always resemble home, but it will be home-ier once Brian is back and it's not just me and Tiny.
I ordered a bunch of big ticket items on Thanksgiving day to be delivered here. I planned on staying here for at least 3 weeks before going home for Christmas, but my plans changed. Sunday when I was terribly home sick and lonely, I decided that I was going to wait for my stuff to arrive and then I was heading home asap. So, after I came to that conclusion, I was crossing my fingers for quick shipping. So far 2/3 of my orders have been shipped. My biggest one should be here tomorrow or Friday (!!!) and I really don't know about the other one. I'm hoping Saturday or early next week. I just need that last pesky one to hurry up and get on a UPS or FedEx truck headed for my front door.
I don't feel like myself here. I have never lived 15 minutes from civilization. The only thing around me is a shoppette (aka convenience store/gas station). I have to drive about 10 minutes to the PX and Commissary and then 15-20 minutes to Wal-Mart or anything in "town". Ordinarily if I was living in this house in Abilene, I'd have grabbed lunch somewhere at least once and probably hit up the mall and other home decor stores. Instead I have left this house once (yesterday) since my parents left. Today was day 4 alone in the house. Luckily I am very accomplished at occupying myself during the day. I am very fond of lazy PJ cleaning days. Don't ask me how much cleaning actually gets done. ;-)
I have a few things I need to do tomorrow so maybe I'll leave the house for the second time. I need to bring Tiny's papers to the vet, get a couple things at the PX and check my mail. I should also pick up Tiny's presents in the backyard, do laundry and vacuum downstairs. I don't know why I put my plans on here. I inevitably change them.
I can't wait to go home, bake an insane amount of cookies, enjoy my parents' full-o-ornament tree, eat some of my favorite foods, and babble endlessly at the kitchen table about nothing. I miss their faces and Tiny misses his Nana! Here's to hoping I'll be there by this time next week.
S.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Alone Day 3
Today was day 3 of being here alone. I survived. I ran errands, registered Tiny, and decorated the tree. I could probably write a novel, but I'll opt not to. My Target furniture shipped today which makes me one step closer to being home again. Now, I'm off to bed with my stomach feeling a tad bit weird...I hate when that happens. Pictures from today:
S.
S.Moving Day 2
I finally gave in and got up a couple minutes before my alarm was going to go off at 7:30. I needed to pee anyway. I thought about jumping in the shower and decided I wasn’t ready to brave my gray plastic shower. Instead I threw on makeup and clothes. Mom came over around 8:30 with goodies from her continental breakfast. Brian called while I was outside trying to get Tiny to go the bathroom while not attacking the sliver of the neighbor dog he could see through the fence. We came up with definite objectives for the day.
1. Get a washer and dryer.
2. Return U-Haul before 1.
3. Go grocery shopping.
4. Do all fix-it projects that required Dad’s help.
We started with the washer and dryer. Dad wanted to check at the PX first, but I could remember if it had appliances there or not. We couldn’t find them when we go there either. Dad finally asked and found out there was a furniture store somewhere that had all the appliances. He got directions that he promptly forgot. We drove all over trying to locate it and we finally found it hidden somewhere I couldn’t even tell you where. It had a large assortment of all types of furniture items. I found a washer/dryer set I liked, but wasn’t sure if it was worth the money or if something else would be better. Dad noticed a sign on one of the machines about a sale: 10% off instantly and an AAFES gift card in different amounts depending on how much the appliance was. The washer and dryer I wanted would each get me a $100 AAFES gift card. SOLD! Can’t pass up that deal. We had to wait on a bunch of weirdos all worked up about a jewelry box, but I finally paid and headed to the warehouse to pick them up. We still had the U-Haul so we could do the hauling ourselves. Dad got them in the house and safely in the laundry room (still in their boxes). We left them where they were and head to the PX to do some shopping for house things (with my newly acquired gift cards!). First we needed some lunch. I hadn’t been feeling all that well, but my chicken teriyaki sandwich from Charley’s fixed that right up. Then it was on to conquer the PX.
I had a list of things I needed and of course I thought of more things as I was walking the aisles. I filled a cart (thanks in part to a large trashcan) and still didn’t spend more than the gift cards. While we were there I got a phone call from a weird number. I answered and some Jamaican sounding guy said something I could understand. I told him he had the wrong number and he asked me for my name so he could call me back. I hung up on him. He CALLED ME BACK. I proceeded to speak loudly to him and he proceeded to be rude to me. I finally hung up on him again. So far, he hasn’t called back again. Maybe he finally got the hint. Even though he swore he wasn’t “scamming me”, I have a sneaking suspicion that he was trying to scam the hell out of me. I would like to know how he got his hands on my phone number.
After that we were off to the Commissary. It was hard to shop when I am living alone and have absolutely nothing. I could have bought everything in sight, but I tried really hard to think of things that I’ll actually have a chance of finishing before their expiration date. The cold/frozen things are in their places, but everything else is still in bags on the counter and floor. They are waiting for some shelf liner to go up in the cabinets before they find homes. I just couldn’t put them in un-lined cabinets. I thought about doing that tonight, but opted to put it off for tomorrow. I’ll need things to keep me busy until my internet/cable gets turned on Monday morning. The Commissary is pretty nice. I’m not sure if I like the set up, but they have a really good selection that I think I can work with. The cutest man bagged my groceries and put them in the truck. We came back to put them away and get dad to work on the dryer. We still needed hoses for the washer so he couldn’t do that yet, but he could get the dryer hooked up. It all took longer than expected so it was decided that I would do the washer hoses myself later. Oh boy!
We headed out again to go to dinner and Wagon Master’s. I guess if you come to Leesville it’s a rite of passage to eat there at least once. Dad was impressed and it was the first real sit down meal I had had since I’d been here. After that we decided to try our washer hose luck at Wal-Mart since it was right there. We hit the jackpot. We found the hoses and other things I needed eventually. After Wal-Mart we went back to Mom’s hotel room to listen to a bit of the Cooper game (they lost). I left around 8:45 which was 45 minutes later than I intended. I cried and am almost crying now thinking about it. It’s kind of weird that they are so close to me, but I won’t see them again until I go home for Christmas. It’s like I think I should be with them until the very last moment they head back to Abilene. I should have said I’d meet them for breakfast.
I came home to find a super excited (and hungry) Tiny. I got him taken care of and set out to get my washing machine hooked up. I got it all taken care of without any hiccups. I even tested it out by turning the machine on and nothing leaked. Yay! Maybe I’ll do laundry tomorrow. Seems kind of pointless to do laundry when you have no where to store it. We’ll see what I feel like doing tomorrow. I also put my vacuum together (that came 2 days after I ordered it on Thanksgiving afternoon). I did a test vacuum of the living room and entry way and WOW that thing is powerful. It sucked up a hair ball and a bunch of sand. My carpets were supposed to be clean when I moved in. I know we had walked around on them a lot, but still! They still looked and felt clean. I’m really happy with the vacuum. There is a little pet hair thing that is supposed to live on the handle, but it kept falling out. I need to get some Velcro to hold it in there so I don’t lose it or break something when it jumps out.
Wow, I’m on page 4 of this Word document. This will be a looooooong blog post. If you’re still reading, congrats! It’s taken me about an hour to write. I was planning on watching a movie, but I think I’ll just read and hit the sack instead. I hope I make it through tomorrow. I hope I don’t get overwhelmed and freak out. I hope I’m strong enough for this. Right now I’m not so sure.
S.
1. Get a washer and dryer.
2. Return U-Haul before 1.
3. Go grocery shopping.
4. Do all fix-it projects that required Dad’s help.
We started with the washer and dryer. Dad wanted to check at the PX first, but I could remember if it had appliances there or not. We couldn’t find them when we go there either. Dad finally asked and found out there was a furniture store somewhere that had all the appliances. He got directions that he promptly forgot. We drove all over trying to locate it and we finally found it hidden somewhere I couldn’t even tell you where. It had a large assortment of all types of furniture items. I found a washer/dryer set I liked, but wasn’t sure if it was worth the money or if something else would be better. Dad noticed a sign on one of the machines about a sale: 10% off instantly and an AAFES gift card in different amounts depending on how much the appliance was. The washer and dryer I wanted would each get me a $100 AAFES gift card. SOLD! Can’t pass up that deal. We had to wait on a bunch of weirdos all worked up about a jewelry box, but I finally paid and headed to the warehouse to pick them up. We still had the U-Haul so we could do the hauling ourselves. Dad got them in the house and safely in the laundry room (still in their boxes). We left them where they were and head to the PX to do some shopping for house things (with my newly acquired gift cards!). First we needed some lunch. I hadn’t been feeling all that well, but my chicken teriyaki sandwich from Charley’s fixed that right up. Then it was on to conquer the PX.
I had a list of things I needed and of course I thought of more things as I was walking the aisles. I filled a cart (thanks in part to a large trashcan) and still didn’t spend more than the gift cards. While we were there I got a phone call from a weird number. I answered and some Jamaican sounding guy said something I could understand. I told him he had the wrong number and he asked me for my name so he could call me back. I hung up on him. He CALLED ME BACK. I proceeded to speak loudly to him and he proceeded to be rude to me. I finally hung up on him again. So far, he hasn’t called back again. Maybe he finally got the hint. Even though he swore he wasn’t “scamming me”, I have a sneaking suspicion that he was trying to scam the hell out of me. I would like to know how he got his hands on my phone number.
After that we were off to the Commissary. It was hard to shop when I am living alone and have absolutely nothing. I could have bought everything in sight, but I tried really hard to think of things that I’ll actually have a chance of finishing before their expiration date. The cold/frozen things are in their places, but everything else is still in bags on the counter and floor. They are waiting for some shelf liner to go up in the cabinets before they find homes. I just couldn’t put them in un-lined cabinets. I thought about doing that tonight, but opted to put it off for tomorrow. I’ll need things to keep me busy until my internet/cable gets turned on Monday morning. The Commissary is pretty nice. I’m not sure if I like the set up, but they have a really good selection that I think I can work with. The cutest man bagged my groceries and put them in the truck. We came back to put them away and get dad to work on the dryer. We still needed hoses for the washer so he couldn’t do that yet, but he could get the dryer hooked up. It all took longer than expected so it was decided that I would do the washer hoses myself later. Oh boy!
We headed out again to go to dinner and Wagon Master’s. I guess if you come to Leesville it’s a rite of passage to eat there at least once. Dad was impressed and it was the first real sit down meal I had had since I’d been here. After that we decided to try our washer hose luck at Wal-Mart since it was right there. We hit the jackpot. We found the hoses and other things I needed eventually. After Wal-Mart we went back to Mom’s hotel room to listen to a bit of the Cooper game (they lost). I left around 8:45 which was 45 minutes later than I intended. I cried and am almost crying now thinking about it. It’s kind of weird that they are so close to me, but I won’t see them again until I go home for Christmas. It’s like I think I should be with them until the very last moment they head back to Abilene. I should have said I’d meet them for breakfast.
I came home to find a super excited (and hungry) Tiny. I got him taken care of and set out to get my washing machine hooked up. I got it all taken care of without any hiccups. I even tested it out by turning the machine on and nothing leaked. Yay! Maybe I’ll do laundry tomorrow. Seems kind of pointless to do laundry when you have no where to store it. We’ll see what I feel like doing tomorrow. I also put my vacuum together (that came 2 days after I ordered it on Thanksgiving afternoon). I did a test vacuum of the living room and entry way and WOW that thing is powerful. It sucked up a hair ball and a bunch of sand. My carpets were supposed to be clean when I moved in. I know we had walked around on them a lot, but still! They still looked and felt clean. I’m really happy with the vacuum. There is a little pet hair thing that is supposed to live on the handle, but it kept falling out. I need to get some Velcro to hold it in there so I don’t lose it or break something when it jumps out.
Wow, I’m on page 4 of this Word document. This will be a looooooong blog post. If you’re still reading, congrats! It’s taken me about an hour to write. I was planning on watching a movie, but I think I’ll just read and hit the sack instead. I hope I make it through tomorrow. I hope I don’t get overwhelmed and freak out. I hope I’m strong enough for this. Right now I’m not so sure.
S.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Moving Day 1
Well, it’s my first night in my new house alone. There is a good chance that I will cry by the time I am finished writing this. I actually haven’t turned into a blubbering mess yet, but I sorta feel like I could fall apart at any moment.
I am writing this in Word and I’ll post it after I get internet on Monday (It’s Saturday night right now). If I let myself think much past this very moment, I get really overwhelmed.
Last night Dad stayed here in the extra room and just having him here made me feel at home, safe. Maybe I was stupid for doing this. Maybe I liked the whole idea of a military life because I never really lived it as an adult. I just remember happy childhood things. I never knew I was missing out on family far away. I never knew how hard it really was. (I guess thanks is due to my parents for making it so that I wouldn’t know I was missing anything.)
I don’t want to write only about my emotions because my parents and I made a lot of fun memories this weekend too. I want to be able to read this next year and know what I actually did, not just how I cried.
Yesterday (Friday):
I was up at 5:45 because I still had a LOT to pack (procrastinator extraordinaire). I packed and Dad loaded until 8:15. I think I put off my packing so I would be forced to do it at the last minute and wouldn’t be able to think about my entire life going into a U-Haul. Oh and it rained the entire time. We shoved off at 8:30ish. It rained on and off pretty much the entire drive. That slowed us down and Dad couldn’t put the truck on cruise because of the U-Haul so, needless to say, we weren’t going 75 the whole way. We hit the worst rain right around the Texas/Louisiana border. Brian happened to call at this time which probably wasn’t much fun for him since I was quite distracted. The roads in LA are terrible. I-20 in Shreveport was FLOODED at certain points. The INTERSTATE! Mom said after that it was some of the worst stuff she’s had to drive through. Poor Mom. Things were relatively calm down 171. Mom and I took this same route a year ago for Thanksgiving before Brian left and 171 was under major construction to widen it the majority of the way. I figured they would have made significant progress over the last YEAR, but they haven’t. If I’m honest with myself, I’m not really surprised. We hit some rain in spots, but it wasn’t bad. The most annoying thing about driving down 171 is that if that road were in TX, it would take an hour. In LA, it takes close to 2. They’ll randomly drop the speed limit to 45 for no apparent reason. There’s this beautiful, recently repaved 4 lane highway, and they want us to go 45. I don’t get it.
We finally get to Leesville around 5 and swing into Arby’s for some dinner since we never stopped for lunch. If you do the math, that’s over 8 hours of driving in rain and holiday traffic. We weren’t in the best mood, Dad hadn’t slept in like 40 hours, it was dark, and we still had to unload the U-Haul. We left Arby’s headed for the hotel so Mom could check in. Leesville apparently doesn’t believe in street lights. It was dark and raining and we could hardly see the lane markers. Since this is such a freakin wet place, maybe they should invest in some decent street paint and a few street lights. Maybe? Please? Mom went in to check in (and had to yell “hello” to get some service) and I let Tiny out for some air. We sat on a bench under the covered drive through while the rain picked up around us. I think Tiny was out of sorts because he just leaned on me with all his might. Poor Tine.
Then it was off to Post. We weren’t sure if Mom would need a vehicle pass because her car doesn’t have DoD stickers anymore (AF did away with them years ago) so we checked to make sure she had her insurance card and registration in case a pass was needed. She didn’t have an up to date insurance card in there. She got mad at Dad for not putting one in there and he swore he had put one in there. Either way, there wasn’t one so if Mom did indeed need a pass, she couldn’t get one. We decided to try out luck and play dumb with the gate guards. It’s still raining steadily and dark without street lights mind you. The guard didn’t even look twice at Mom’s lack of stickers or at us and we went on through. It’s a mighty long drive from the main gate to my house. We finally arrived to find my neighbors extra car in my carport. Lovely. I had to jump out and run to his door to ask him to move it. It required two knocks on the glass door followed by a door bell ring (which required me to open the glass door because the doorbells are located on the actual door) to get a response. He moved it and Dad could begin the task of backing the big U-Haul into my carport…in the dark and rain. He did it on the first try. He rocks.
And so we unloaded. All three of us could never be unloading because Tiny always needed a chaperone inside so he wouldn’t run out into the street. Mom and Dad did the bulk of the moving and I tried to direct the traffic. It only took us a couple hours and my house was suddenly a little less empty. Definitely not full yet, but less empty. Mom and Dad swung through the shoppette near my house to get a few things for here and batteries for Dad’s air mattress and then Mom went on her way to her hotel. I know she was worried about finding her way there, but she did it without a single phone call to me for directions. Dad and I worked on getting a few things where they needed to be and hooking up the TV. Dad couldn’t believe I couldn’t pick up a single channel even though I don’t have cable yet. It was just a bunch of static. He popped in Indiana Jones (the new one) and popped open a big Bud Light. Guess after 40 hours of not stopping you have to unwind. I tried to pick up a wireless network unsuccessfully. Sometime around 10 we finally retired upstairs. I put my bed together complete with my new comforter from Land’s End (I love it btw.). It is so much easier to make a bed with full access to both sides. It’s been years since I’ve had my bed situated like that. Brian will be very happy. I read a chapter in my book and hit the hay around 10:30. I didn’t sleep all that well. It’ll take me awhile to get used to this room. It didn’t help that a storm rolled through around 2 and the sun started coming up around 6.
Later/Tomorrow: Moving Day 2 and Pictures.
S.
I am writing this in Word and I’ll post it after I get internet on Monday (It’s Saturday night right now). If I let myself think much past this very moment, I get really overwhelmed.
Last night Dad stayed here in the extra room and just having him here made me feel at home, safe. Maybe I was stupid for doing this. Maybe I liked the whole idea of a military life because I never really lived it as an adult. I just remember happy childhood things. I never knew I was missing out on family far away. I never knew how hard it really was. (I guess thanks is due to my parents for making it so that I wouldn’t know I was missing anything.)
I don’t want to write only about my emotions because my parents and I made a lot of fun memories this weekend too. I want to be able to read this next year and know what I actually did, not just how I cried.
Yesterday (Friday):
I was up at 5:45 because I still had a LOT to pack (procrastinator extraordinaire). I packed and Dad loaded until 8:15. I think I put off my packing so I would be forced to do it at the last minute and wouldn’t be able to think about my entire life going into a U-Haul. Oh and it rained the entire time. We shoved off at 8:30ish. It rained on and off pretty much the entire drive. That slowed us down and Dad couldn’t put the truck on cruise because of the U-Haul so, needless to say, we weren’t going 75 the whole way. We hit the worst rain right around the Texas/Louisiana border. Brian happened to call at this time which probably wasn’t much fun for him since I was quite distracted. The roads in LA are terrible. I-20 in Shreveport was FLOODED at certain points. The INTERSTATE! Mom said after that it was some of the worst stuff she’s had to drive through. Poor Mom. Things were relatively calm down 171. Mom and I took this same route a year ago for Thanksgiving before Brian left and 171 was under major construction to widen it the majority of the way. I figured they would have made significant progress over the last YEAR, but they haven’t. If I’m honest with myself, I’m not really surprised. We hit some rain in spots, but it wasn’t bad. The most annoying thing about driving down 171 is that if that road were in TX, it would take an hour. In LA, it takes close to 2. They’ll randomly drop the speed limit to 45 for no apparent reason. There’s this beautiful, recently repaved 4 lane highway, and they want us to go 45. I don’t get it.
We finally get to Leesville around 5 and swing into Arby’s for some dinner since we never stopped for lunch. If you do the math, that’s over 8 hours of driving in rain and holiday traffic. We weren’t in the best mood, Dad hadn’t slept in like 40 hours, it was dark, and we still had to unload the U-Haul. We left Arby’s headed for the hotel so Mom could check in. Leesville apparently doesn’t believe in street lights. It was dark and raining and we could hardly see the lane markers. Since this is such a freakin wet place, maybe they should invest in some decent street paint and a few street lights. Maybe? Please? Mom went in to check in (and had to yell “hello” to get some service) and I let Tiny out for some air. We sat on a bench under the covered drive through while the rain picked up around us. I think Tiny was out of sorts because he just leaned on me with all his might. Poor Tine.
Then it was off to Post. We weren’t sure if Mom would need a vehicle pass because her car doesn’t have DoD stickers anymore (AF did away with them years ago) so we checked to make sure she had her insurance card and registration in case a pass was needed. She didn’t have an up to date insurance card in there. She got mad at Dad for not putting one in there and he swore he had put one in there. Either way, there wasn’t one so if Mom did indeed need a pass, she couldn’t get one. We decided to try out luck and play dumb with the gate guards. It’s still raining steadily and dark without street lights mind you. The guard didn’t even look twice at Mom’s lack of stickers or at us and we went on through. It’s a mighty long drive from the main gate to my house. We finally arrived to find my neighbors extra car in my carport. Lovely. I had to jump out and run to his door to ask him to move it. It required two knocks on the glass door followed by a door bell ring (which required me to open the glass door because the doorbells are located on the actual door) to get a response. He moved it and Dad could begin the task of backing the big U-Haul into my carport…in the dark and rain. He did it on the first try. He rocks.
And so we unloaded. All three of us could never be unloading because Tiny always needed a chaperone inside so he wouldn’t run out into the street. Mom and Dad did the bulk of the moving and I tried to direct the traffic. It only took us a couple hours and my house was suddenly a little less empty. Definitely not full yet, but less empty. Mom and Dad swung through the shoppette near my house to get a few things for here and batteries for Dad’s air mattress and then Mom went on her way to her hotel. I know she was worried about finding her way there, but she did it without a single phone call to me for directions. Dad and I worked on getting a few things where they needed to be and hooking up the TV. Dad couldn’t believe I couldn’t pick up a single channel even though I don’t have cable yet. It was just a bunch of static. He popped in Indiana Jones (the new one) and popped open a big Bud Light. Guess after 40 hours of not stopping you have to unwind. I tried to pick up a wireless network unsuccessfully. Sometime around 10 we finally retired upstairs. I put my bed together complete with my new comforter from Land’s End (I love it btw.). It is so much easier to make a bed with full access to both sides. It’s been years since I’ve had my bed situated like that. Brian will be very happy. I read a chapter in my book and hit the hay around 10:30. I didn’t sleep all that well. It’ll take me awhile to get used to this room. It didn’t help that a storm rolled through around 2 and the sun started coming up around 6.
Later/Tomorrow: Moving Day 2 and Pictures.
S.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
T-Giving.
I am willing to bet I will not be blogging until my internet is turned on LA so I thought I'd get one last TX blog in there for good measure.
Tomorrow Keith and I are getting up super early (6am) to head across town for the annual Turkey Trot 5K. Dad is the man in charge of the thing so Keith and I are going a couple hours earlier than we would ordinarily to help him out. We'll spend the first 2 hours helping wherever we need to and then we are walking/jogging the 5K. I'm not looking forward to waking up that early, but I'm looking forward to seeing my dad in action at this race.
When we get home we have to shower and take family pictures. We always have Thanksgiving dinner around 2 or 3 in the afternoon which will leave me plenty of time to pack on a full stomach.
I am looking around my room and I think I can get everything done tomorrow night. I got my desk packed today. I still have all my clothes, the bathroom, my bed, the nightstand and Tiny's stuff. Wow, that's still quite a bit. Luckily clohtes and bathroom stuff is easy. Throw clothes in trash bags and throw all bathroom stuff in a box. I could easily freak out about this whole move thing, but I'm trying to remain calm. I just need to trust that it will all work out and there won't be any major hiccups.
I plan on enjoying my Thanksgiving dinner with 3 of the most amazing people on this Earth. I'm sad that Brian can't be here as well, but I am sorta glad I can put off the drama of shuffling between houses for one more year. I am not naive enough to take this time with my family for granted. Who knows where I'll be this time next year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
S.
Tomorrow Keith and I are getting up super early (6am) to head across town for the annual Turkey Trot 5K. Dad is the man in charge of the thing so Keith and I are going a couple hours earlier than we would ordinarily to help him out. We'll spend the first 2 hours helping wherever we need to and then we are walking/jogging the 5K. I'm not looking forward to waking up that early, but I'm looking forward to seeing my dad in action at this race.
When we get home we have to shower and take family pictures. We always have Thanksgiving dinner around 2 or 3 in the afternoon which will leave me plenty of time to pack on a full stomach.
I am looking around my room and I think I can get everything done tomorrow night. I got my desk packed today. I still have all my clothes, the bathroom, my bed, the nightstand and Tiny's stuff. Wow, that's still quite a bit. Luckily clohtes and bathroom stuff is easy. Throw clothes in trash bags and throw all bathroom stuff in a box. I could easily freak out about this whole move thing, but I'm trying to remain calm. I just need to trust that it will all work out and there won't be any major hiccups.
I plan on enjoying my Thanksgiving dinner with 3 of the most amazing people on this Earth. I'm sad that Brian can't be here as well, but I am sorta glad I can put off the drama of shuffling between houses for one more year. I am not naive enough to take this time with my family for granted. Who knows where I'll be this time next year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
S.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Flowers!
These arrived on my doorstep today compliments of my husband. They almost made me forget about the disaster in my room and the impending move. Almost. I hope they live until Thanksgiving so they can look beautiful in the center of our table.
One week from today I'll be coming to you from my new digs after my internet/cable finally gets hooked up. Days are flying by people!
S.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Packing Day 1
I buckled today and starting packing. I started with this table because Mom needs it for Christmas decorating. It was a good jumping off point anyway because it was full of stuff I didn't really need. I mean, it was covered in things that have sentimental value, but none of it is necessary for daily life. All that's left on there now in my bouquet from the shotgun wedding, a yummy smelling candle, a clock and a couple lamps. The table was quite disgusting from my neglecting it over the months. Cleaning/packing the entire table only took me about an hour which gives me hope for my future packing days.
This is what cleaning off that table created. That box on the chair is essentially full, but that box on the floor only has two breakables in it. On the chair is a pile of books that I didn't want to pack with fragile stuff so that's why I paused where I did. Note the big box of bubble wrap on the back of the chair. Bubble wrap = my new best friend! I feel like all the breakable things that mean so much to me will make it safely to LA with their bubble cushion.
Mom's procedure is over. She survived as did I. It took much longer than either of us anticipated. We arrived there in the freezing cold at 8am sharp. We were home by 12:45pm. If you ever want to people watch, go to the hospital, I'm telling you! The people in the outpatient waiting room were a sight to behold.
That's about all I got accomplished today. Tomorrow I have a lunch date (hopefully), need to go to the bank to straighten out a debit card issue (don't get my started!), and take Tiny to the vet. Oh, I'm going to try to pack something too.
S.
This is what cleaning off that table created. That box on the chair is essentially full, but that box on the floor only has two breakables in it. On the chair is a pile of books that I didn't want to pack with fragile stuff so that's why I paused where I did. Note the big box of bubble wrap on the back of the chair. Bubble wrap = my new best friend! I feel like all the breakable things that mean so much to me will make it safely to LA with their bubble cushion.
Mom's procedure is over. She survived as did I. It took much longer than either of us anticipated. We arrived there in the freezing cold at 8am sharp. We were home by 12:45pm. If you ever want to people watch, go to the hospital, I'm telling you! The people in the outpatient waiting room were a sight to behold.
That's about all I got accomplished today. Tomorrow I have a lunch date (hopefully), need to go to the bank to straighten out a debit card issue (don't get my started!), and take Tiny to the vet. Oh, I'm going to try to pack something too.
S.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Whole Lotta Stuff
Today I woke up at 8 like a good girl and still haven't gotten a headache. I have been getting dull headaches pretty much everyday for...awhile. I didn't know if I was anxious, nervous, uptight, not sleeping well, sleeping too much or what so I had just been kind of ignoring it. I guess I really do need to get my butt up by 8. I am not in college anymore and I am not exercising my brain in class anymore, so I guess I no longer need to sleep past 8. Kinda sucks, but what can I do?
Anyway, I got up and got myself all gussied up cause I had an errand to run and a hot lunch date. I loved my outfit today. Dress from Kohl's that is super comfortable with black leggings and a black lace cami to cover up my cleavage. The dress is great, but it does make me sweat a bit every time I put it on or take it off. It's really snug at the waist and always makes me a tad bit nervous that I'll get stuck in it. Stupid clothes phobia!
So, the hot date? My MIL. I picked Jason's Deli cause I hadn't been there in awhile and didn't figure I'd get there before the move. I always have to park far away there because the parking lot isn't ideal for the gigantore truck that I drive. We had a nice time.
After that I came straight home to make sure Mom didn't have any break downs about taking these big horse pills she had to take. She's having a procedure tomorrow that required 32 large white pills to be down in about 120 minutes. She has problems with big pills...she usually crushes them up in applesauce. Today she couldn't do that. She was on a clear liquid diet. This diet: great to lose weight, not so healthy. She'll be back to eating by lunch time tomorrow.
I should have packed this afternoon, but I found a fun game on the internet and Brian was on for about an hour total. Then after that I went on a date with the men in my life (minus Brian) to CiCi's so Mom wouldn't have to smell food smells. Now I'm not packing cause, well, I'm not sure. I am now telling myself that I can do that tomorrow. I forgot for a moment, however, that I was taking Mom to the Dr. in the early morning and camping out there until she is finished. She told me to bring a book. I hope they have comfortable chairs. Maybe there will be packing tomorrow afternoon. I'm starting to run out of time!
Every now and then I start to think about everything I need to buy for my own house and, lemme tell ya, it's mighty overwhelming. There is a rhinestone falling off this dress right now and I need a hot glue gun to quickly stick it back on, but I don't own one. I'm sure my parents do somewhere, but it's not worth it to me right now to go find it. Actually, now that I think about it, I probably need to go buy some good fabric glue that can be washed. I'm not sure if hot glue holds up in a washer/dryer. Anyway, that's not my point. I have never owned an ironing board, but eventually I'll need one. There's no point in having an ironing board if you don't have an iron. I love hot chocolate and hot tea, but I don't have a good tea pot. And then I have to stop myself and decide if I can live without it for 9 months and register for it for our wedding instead of buying it right away. It'll be a fun little mental dance I do every time I think I need to buy something after I get settled.
Tiny is driving me absolutely fecking crazy with his antibiotic pills. I have tried peanut butter on bread with whole pills, pills hidden in his dry dog food, pill wrapped in cheese, pills in hot dog pieces, and pills stuck onto dog treats with peanut butter. I have now resorted to emptying the powder in the pills into peanut butter, mixing it up, and then spreading it on little hard dog treats. I'm still losing some of the medicine in translation, but he's getting most of it. There are peanut butter stains all over his dog bed and the smell of the medicine makes me want to gag. He still has quite a few more pills to take before we're finished. I'm hoping I don't have to invent any other ways to get the medicine down his throat!
I'm watching the Cooper game from last Saturday on TV again. I realize it's easy to be all into my alma mater's football season when they're actually doing pretty well. It has helped that I am living at home, my parents bought season tickets, and I'm not busy going out on the weekends or hanging out with Brian. I have all this free time, so I spend my Friday nights watching high school football. Cooper won their first playoff game since I was a senior in high school last weekend. It was a perfect game. They dominated the entire thing. It was made slightly sweeter since the team across town lost in shocking fashion (I always knew they weren't as good as everyone else thought). We've been tossing around the idea of going to Odessa to watch the Coogs play on Saturday. We'll see. It'll be the last game I can go to for quite awhile...maybe ever. Even if we don't go, I know we'll be sitting in my room listening to it on the radio. Oh, I love the Cooper Red & Blue.
Guess I felt like writing tonight.
9 days.
S.
Anyway, I got up and got myself all gussied up cause I had an errand to run and a hot lunch date. I loved my outfit today. Dress from Kohl's that is super comfortable with black leggings and a black lace cami to cover up my cleavage. The dress is great, but it does make me sweat a bit every time I put it on or take it off. It's really snug at the waist and always makes me a tad bit nervous that I'll get stuck in it. Stupid clothes phobia!
So, the hot date? My MIL. I picked Jason's Deli cause I hadn't been there in awhile and didn't figure I'd get there before the move. I always have to park far away there because the parking lot isn't ideal for the gigantore truck that I drive. We had a nice time.
After that I came straight home to make sure Mom didn't have any break downs about taking these big horse pills she had to take. She's having a procedure tomorrow that required 32 large white pills to be down in about 120 minutes. She has problems with big pills...she usually crushes them up in applesauce. Today she couldn't do that. She was on a clear liquid diet. This diet: great to lose weight, not so healthy. She'll be back to eating by lunch time tomorrow.
I should have packed this afternoon, but I found a fun game on the internet and Brian was on for about an hour total. Then after that I went on a date with the men in my life (minus Brian) to CiCi's so Mom wouldn't have to smell food smells. Now I'm not packing cause, well, I'm not sure. I am now telling myself that I can do that tomorrow. I forgot for a moment, however, that I was taking Mom to the Dr. in the early morning and camping out there until she is finished. She told me to bring a book. I hope they have comfortable chairs. Maybe there will be packing tomorrow afternoon. I'm starting to run out of time!
Every now and then I start to think about everything I need to buy for my own house and, lemme tell ya, it's mighty overwhelming. There is a rhinestone falling off this dress right now and I need a hot glue gun to quickly stick it back on, but I don't own one. I'm sure my parents do somewhere, but it's not worth it to me right now to go find it. Actually, now that I think about it, I probably need to go buy some good fabric glue that can be washed. I'm not sure if hot glue holds up in a washer/dryer. Anyway, that's not my point. I have never owned an ironing board, but eventually I'll need one. There's no point in having an ironing board if you don't have an iron. I love hot chocolate and hot tea, but I don't have a good tea pot. And then I have to stop myself and decide if I can live without it for 9 months and register for it for our wedding instead of buying it right away. It'll be a fun little mental dance I do every time I think I need to buy something after I get settled.
Tiny is driving me absolutely fecking crazy with his antibiotic pills. I have tried peanut butter on bread with whole pills, pills hidden in his dry dog food, pill wrapped in cheese, pills in hot dog pieces, and pills stuck onto dog treats with peanut butter. I have now resorted to emptying the powder in the pills into peanut butter, mixing it up, and then spreading it on little hard dog treats. I'm still losing some of the medicine in translation, but he's getting most of it. There are peanut butter stains all over his dog bed and the smell of the medicine makes me want to gag. He still has quite a few more pills to take before we're finished. I'm hoping I don't have to invent any other ways to get the medicine down his throat!
I'm watching the Cooper game from last Saturday on TV again. I realize it's easy to be all into my alma mater's football season when they're actually doing pretty well. It has helped that I am living at home, my parents bought season tickets, and I'm not busy going out on the weekends or hanging out with Brian. I have all this free time, so I spend my Friday nights watching high school football. Cooper won their first playoff game since I was a senior in high school last weekend. It was a perfect game. They dominated the entire thing. It was made slightly sweeter since the team across town lost in shocking fashion (I always knew they weren't as good as everyone else thought). We've been tossing around the idea of going to Odessa to watch the Coogs play on Saturday. We'll see. It'll be the last game I can go to for quite awhile...maybe ever. Even if we don't go, I know we'll be sitting in my room listening to it on the radio. Oh, I love the Cooper Red & Blue.
Guess I felt like writing tonight.
9 days.
S.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Real Quick
1. I bought alot of packing tape and bubble wrap. I still haven't packed a single thing.
2. I visited my mom's friends from her old job. I love them!
3. I got a pretty pink sweatshirt from HSU to take with me to LA.
4. I got my hair cut this morning. Nothing drastic, just a trim that'll hopefully last until I'm home again.
5. Lunch with the MIL tomorrow. I need to convince her that her work friends should not throw a separate bridal shower, but should just come to the one my mom's friends are throwing. Ugh.
S.
2. I visited my mom's friends from her old job. I love them!
3. I got a pretty pink sweatshirt from HSU to take with me to LA.
4. I got my hair cut this morning. Nothing drastic, just a trim that'll hopefully last until I'm home again.
5. Lunch with the MIL tomorrow. I need to convince her that her work friends should not throw a separate bridal shower, but should just come to the one my mom's friends are throwing. Ugh.
S.
Friday, November 14, 2008
14 days.
I am finding the end of this deployment harder than the beginning and the middle combined. I have a whole lot of things going on in my over active head, but I just know they won't come out in written word very eloquently. I won't even try.
I look around this room and I just can't make myself pack it up yet. I cannot get out of my bed. I cannot turn the TV off or walk to the garage to get boxes. I know the hard packing won't be for awhile. I have so many frivolous things that just need to be put in boxes. I even have a bunch of clothes that I won't be wearing til next summer that could get packed up now. Why can't I just start? I've always been bad at procrastinating, especially at starting projects.
I'm ready to live in more than one room. I'm ready to learn to live with my husband and manage my own house. I'm not ready to leave my security blanket, my safety net. Maybe I won't ever be ready.
I am going to miss so many things about this house and this town that they wouldn't all fit on this webpage. There are so many things I wish were different about this place that I grew up in, but I grew up here. It's mine. I know I'll make new memories and learn to love my new home, but how could it ever compete with the place that I spent 17+ years of my life? My only consolation is that I know I'll be back soon. I'll be back in a couple/few months and then I'll be back again and again. I mean, I am still having my big fancy wedding here next summer. I should stop focusing on leaving and remember I will be coming back before I know it.
My goal is to start packing this weekend. Dad even showed me where the boxes are. I can at least get the knick knacks and summer clothes safely packed away.
I'm this much of a disaster and I still have 14 days.
S.
I look around this room and I just can't make myself pack it up yet. I cannot get out of my bed. I cannot turn the TV off or walk to the garage to get boxes. I know the hard packing won't be for awhile. I have so many frivolous things that just need to be put in boxes. I even have a bunch of clothes that I won't be wearing til next summer that could get packed up now. Why can't I just start? I've always been bad at procrastinating, especially at starting projects.
I'm ready to live in more than one room. I'm ready to learn to live with my husband and manage my own house. I'm not ready to leave my security blanket, my safety net. Maybe I won't ever be ready.
I am going to miss so many things about this house and this town that they wouldn't all fit on this webpage. There are so many things I wish were different about this place that I grew up in, but I grew up here. It's mine. I know I'll make new memories and learn to love my new home, but how could it ever compete with the place that I spent 17+ years of my life? My only consolation is that I know I'll be back soon. I'll be back in a couple/few months and then I'll be back again and again. I mean, I am still having my big fancy wedding here next summer. I should stop focusing on leaving and remember I will be coming back before I know it.
My goal is to start packing this weekend. Dad even showed me where the boxes are. I can at least get the knick knacks and summer clothes safely packed away.
I'm this much of a disaster and I still have 14 days.
S.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
House Pictures:
In no particular order:
^^Master bedroom closet.
^^Master bedroom.
^^Upstairs bathroom sink.
^^Full bath upstairs.
^^Storage closet upstairs.
^^Living room & door to patio.
^^Back of house w/ master bedroom & living room windows.
^^Yard and view.
^^ Laundry room (door goes to patio).
^^Kitchen.
^^Kitchen.
^^Dining area.
^^Kitchen.
^^Master bedroom closet.
^^Master bedroom.
^^Upstairs bathroom sink.
^^Full bath upstairs.
^^Storage closet upstairs.
^^Living room & door to patio.
^^Back of house w/ master bedroom & living room windows.
^^Yard and view.
^^ Laundry room (door goes to patio).
^^Kitchen.
^^Kitchen.
^^Dining area.
^^Kitchen.
^^View from front door.
I forgot to get a picture of the half bathroom downstairs, but it's basically the bathroom upstairs without the tub. I also forgot to get a picture of the front of the house. My camera died and when we left there we people outside that I didn't want judging me. You can get a feel for what the house is made of from the picture of the back of the house. There is also another bedroom upstairs that looks eerily like the master bedroom except it's closet has the sliding doors instead of a walk-in one. You can imagine.
That is all, the end.
S.
The Journey to Get a House.
I'm not sure I'm ready for all the typing that is about to happen. I'm also not sure if you are ready to read everything I'm about to type. Good luck to us both.
The last three days have been a whirlwind. I guess the beginning is as good a place as any to start.
Sunday morning Mom and I were both up early. Dad was nice enough to also get up early to make us his famous french toast. We showered, ate, finished packing and hit the road at 8 am. We knew we had a long drive ahead of us. I was determined to drive the whole thing to prove to myself that I can. The farthest I had driven before that was to Shreveport and that nearly killed me. Driving even further than Shreveport seemed a bit overwhelming. Since we were making this cross-state trek on a Sunday, I think the traffic was at a minimum. We made it to Alexandria, LA in 7 hours without a lick of traffic or bad weather. We were lucky! We found our brand new Hampton Inn, checked in, unloaded and then headed down the street to Cracker Barrel (classic travel food). We were staying in Alexandria for two reasons: (1) it shortened our drive by about an hour and (2) the only hotel (not motel) in Leesville was booked when I looked online. I knew the drive from Alexandria to Leesville/Fort Polk wasn't bad so it seemed like a good idea. Sunday night we got to bed early cause we were both kind of worn out from the early morning and long ride.
Monday morning we woke up early again to shower, get ready, and grab some wonderful Hampton Inn continental breakfast. (I had a biscuit and a chocolate muffin.) We headed to Leesville down a hilly, tree-lined road. The first order of business was finding the housing office to get a map to the neighborhood that my house was in. We followed the directions I had and found the office rather easily. We had to sign in and wait for an over-worked woman to help us. She was really nice and quickly looked me up and gave me directions to the neighborhood. In the directions there was mention of "North Fort". Now, Brian had made sure I knew that North Fort was where we wanted to live. Why? I haven't and idea. Well, I guess they are supposed to be nicer. They aren't anything close to new construction, but they are newer than the things on South Fort. I had also put two and two together and figured out that on South Fort they had alot of apartment style houses. I did not want to get stuck in an apartment like house on top of someone else with only a balcony. I have a 100+ lb. dog. I'd seriously have to walk him multiple times a day everyday? I don't think so! When I first contacted Housing about when I was coming to get the house, I was told there wouldn't be anything available on North Fort. I was totally ok with this. I sent little prayers out into the universe that whatever we were given in South Fort would have a yard and would be decent enough. When I heard her mention North Fort I did little back flips in my mind (cause I could never do a back flip in real life!). I tried not to get ahead of myself because I still wasn't entirely sure what "North Fort" even meant! After we left there we had a couple hours to kill. We, of course, followed the directions we had been given to ge to my neighborhood first. I wasn't going to wait 2 hours to check it out! We found it without much difficulty and located the housing office that I would need to find at 1 pm. Then we drove around a bit and noticed - happily - that we did not see a single house without a yard. Yay!!
After our not-so-undercover mission, we went to the PX to waste time. Mom got a few things and I decided I'm not a fan of their PX and I'll miss the amazing, new, pretty BX here! We then got some Burger King for lack of any better options. Then we figured we'd fill up on gas and head to the housing appointment. We got to the appointment and met the nicest woman who quickly ushered us out to our cars to head to the house. I was following her blindly because they are rather secretive about your house. They won't tell you where it is until they lead you to it! I follow her around saying quiet thank yous that I won't live on any street called "Cooley". (One of my aunts called a butt a cooley for her kids' benefit...) We pulled up to my house which isn't on the end - bummer - but is on a cul-de-sac. We got a quick walk-thru and everything was alot bigger than I expected! We got "attacked" by a big Great Dane looking dog through the chain link fence out back. The housing lady ran back in the house. Mom and I were unaffected. I guess that's what happens when you live with a big black dog for so long. After the walk-thru there were a million papers to sign with Brian's name (because I don't matter to the Army). I have the folder full of paper sitting next to me right now. Of course I've already read through it all. I left with two keys and a good feeling about the neighborhood.
After that we went back to the house to unload Tiny's crate (which we brought there) and take pictures and video. We were on the road back to Alexandria by 3:30. Our plan was to drive into Alexandria to find the mall and somewhere to eat dinner. Ok, I'll sum this up in many less words than I would like to so that I can save my sanity and keep the profanity to a minumum. 1. I hate Alexandria and their ridiculous traffic circle. 2. The mall in Alexandria seriously scared me and had nothing that would make me drive the hour to get there. 3. The traffic was horrible considering it was before 5 on a Monday. We ended up going back to the hotel and getting Subway sandwiches from down the street. I spent the night reading my housing paperwork and uploading the pictures and video.
This morning we were up early again (seems to be a trend). First thing we checked the weather because we had heard something about rain the night before. Just our luck, there was rain from Shreveport to Dallas - about half our trip. We threw ourselves together - tshirt and jeans with no makeup for me - and hit the road shortly before 8. I was driving because I was determined to show my fear of driving in rain who was boss. We were fine until we were almost to Shreveport and then it got dark suddenly and the rain followed. It seemed to stop raining for me everytime I had to make a bit circling highway interchange. It got really bad once we were in Texas. I was going 60 the whole time and there were still plenty of crazies passing me. Apparently 18-wheelers aren't afraid of a little rain cause they were passing me at an amazing rate. I did not care of anyone thought I was driving like a grandma. I was going to go as fast or slow as I needed to dang it! It rained all the way to Tyler. That was about 3 hours of driving in heavy cloud cover and torrential downpour rain. We counted later the number of accidents we saw along that drive and came up with 5. That's alot of accidents. By the time we stopped in Tyler at (another) Cracker Barrel, my entire body was sore and I desperately needed to just sit for awhile. We ate, paid and then Mom took over the driving. Getting around DFW was harrowing at times, but Mom's a good driver and we made it unscathed. The rest of the drive was uneventful and sunny. We pulled in the driveway shortly before 4.
Now, I am in my bed with my pajamas on and my contacts out. I am ready to crash early and sleep until I'm fully rested. I already unpacked and now I am left with swirling thoughts of my house. I have so many lists to make! I also realized today that I have a little of two weeks (only two!) to pack up this room and say goodbye to Abilene, my parents' house, and my family. I know I'll be back here, but I may never live here again. I've lived here the vast majority of my memorable life. I'll try to think about that as little as possible!
It was weird standing in this house that was going to be mine. I knew it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it was hard to hold down the snob in me that has lived a rather charmed life. I knew I wasn't going to get my dream house on an Army post, but it was also totally unlike anything I had ever lived in before. I share walls on both sides with people I don't know. I share my carport and can see my neighbors comings and going from my kitchen. The bathtub seriously grosses me out and I'm not sure how all my bathroom products will fit on/around the sink and vanity. I'm trying to see the positives, but the whole things also makes me nervous. I know once I am living there and filling it with furniture and my things that it will feel more like home. I also think that seeing this house made it real that I am growing up and leaving everything I have known behind. There will come a time really soon that the closest person that I am blood related to will be 8 hours away. I will also be there totally alone for at least a few weeks. It's all becoming real. I am scared and excited at the same time and let me tell you, it's really confusing.
I know this is long, but I am finally finished. I'll post house pictures in their own post after this (no need to make this one any longer, right?). Stay tuned because things will only get crazier!
S.
The last three days have been a whirlwind. I guess the beginning is as good a place as any to start.
Sunday morning Mom and I were both up early. Dad was nice enough to also get up early to make us his famous french toast. We showered, ate, finished packing and hit the road at 8 am. We knew we had a long drive ahead of us. I was determined to drive the whole thing to prove to myself that I can. The farthest I had driven before that was to Shreveport and that nearly killed me. Driving even further than Shreveport seemed a bit overwhelming. Since we were making this cross-state trek on a Sunday, I think the traffic was at a minimum. We made it to Alexandria, LA in 7 hours without a lick of traffic or bad weather. We were lucky! We found our brand new Hampton Inn, checked in, unloaded and then headed down the street to Cracker Barrel (classic travel food). We were staying in Alexandria for two reasons: (1) it shortened our drive by about an hour and (2) the only hotel (not motel) in Leesville was booked when I looked online. I knew the drive from Alexandria to Leesville/Fort Polk wasn't bad so it seemed like a good idea. Sunday night we got to bed early cause we were both kind of worn out from the early morning and long ride.
Monday morning we woke up early again to shower, get ready, and grab some wonderful Hampton Inn continental breakfast. (I had a biscuit and a chocolate muffin.) We headed to Leesville down a hilly, tree-lined road. The first order of business was finding the housing office to get a map to the neighborhood that my house was in. We followed the directions I had and found the office rather easily. We had to sign in and wait for an over-worked woman to help us. She was really nice and quickly looked me up and gave me directions to the neighborhood. In the directions there was mention of "North Fort". Now, Brian had made sure I knew that North Fort was where we wanted to live. Why? I haven't and idea. Well, I guess they are supposed to be nicer. They aren't anything close to new construction, but they are newer than the things on South Fort. I had also put two and two together and figured out that on South Fort they had alot of apartment style houses. I did not want to get stuck in an apartment like house on top of someone else with only a balcony. I have a 100+ lb. dog. I'd seriously have to walk him multiple times a day everyday? I don't think so! When I first contacted Housing about when I was coming to get the house, I was told there wouldn't be anything available on North Fort. I was totally ok with this. I sent little prayers out into the universe that whatever we were given in South Fort would have a yard and would be decent enough. When I heard her mention North Fort I did little back flips in my mind (cause I could never do a back flip in real life!). I tried not to get ahead of myself because I still wasn't entirely sure what "North Fort" even meant! After we left there we had a couple hours to kill. We, of course, followed the directions we had been given to ge to my neighborhood first. I wasn't going to wait 2 hours to check it out! We found it without much difficulty and located the housing office that I would need to find at 1 pm. Then we drove around a bit and noticed - happily - that we did not see a single house without a yard. Yay!!
After our not-so-undercover mission, we went to the PX to waste time. Mom got a few things and I decided I'm not a fan of their PX and I'll miss the amazing, new, pretty BX here! We then got some Burger King for lack of any better options. Then we figured we'd fill up on gas and head to the housing appointment. We got to the appointment and met the nicest woman who quickly ushered us out to our cars to head to the house. I was following her blindly because they are rather secretive about your house. They won't tell you where it is until they lead you to it! I follow her around saying quiet thank yous that I won't live on any street called "Cooley". (One of my aunts called a butt a cooley for her kids' benefit...) We pulled up to my house which isn't on the end - bummer - but is on a cul-de-sac. We got a quick walk-thru and everything was alot bigger than I expected! We got "attacked" by a big Great Dane looking dog through the chain link fence out back. The housing lady ran back in the house. Mom and I were unaffected. I guess that's what happens when you live with a big black dog for so long. After the walk-thru there were a million papers to sign with Brian's name (because I don't matter to the Army). I have the folder full of paper sitting next to me right now. Of course I've already read through it all. I left with two keys and a good feeling about the neighborhood.
After that we went back to the house to unload Tiny's crate (which we brought there) and take pictures and video. We were on the road back to Alexandria by 3:30. Our plan was to drive into Alexandria to find the mall and somewhere to eat dinner. Ok, I'll sum this up in many less words than I would like to so that I can save my sanity and keep the profanity to a minumum. 1. I hate Alexandria and their ridiculous traffic circle. 2. The mall in Alexandria seriously scared me and had nothing that would make me drive the hour to get there. 3. The traffic was horrible considering it was before 5 on a Monday. We ended up going back to the hotel and getting Subway sandwiches from down the street. I spent the night reading my housing paperwork and uploading the pictures and video.
This morning we were up early again (seems to be a trend). First thing we checked the weather because we had heard something about rain the night before. Just our luck, there was rain from Shreveport to Dallas - about half our trip. We threw ourselves together - tshirt and jeans with no makeup for me - and hit the road shortly before 8. I was driving because I was determined to show my fear of driving in rain who was boss. We were fine until we were almost to Shreveport and then it got dark suddenly and the rain followed. It seemed to stop raining for me everytime I had to make a bit circling highway interchange. It got really bad once we were in Texas. I was going 60 the whole time and there were still plenty of crazies passing me. Apparently 18-wheelers aren't afraid of a little rain cause they were passing me at an amazing rate. I did not care of anyone thought I was driving like a grandma. I was going to go as fast or slow as I needed to dang it! It rained all the way to Tyler. That was about 3 hours of driving in heavy cloud cover and torrential downpour rain. We counted later the number of accidents we saw along that drive and came up with 5. That's alot of accidents. By the time we stopped in Tyler at (another) Cracker Barrel, my entire body was sore and I desperately needed to just sit for awhile. We ate, paid and then Mom took over the driving. Getting around DFW was harrowing at times, but Mom's a good driver and we made it unscathed. The rest of the drive was uneventful and sunny. We pulled in the driveway shortly before 4.
Now, I am in my bed with my pajamas on and my contacts out. I am ready to crash early and sleep until I'm fully rested. I already unpacked and now I am left with swirling thoughts of my house. I have so many lists to make! I also realized today that I have a little of two weeks (only two!) to pack up this room and say goodbye to Abilene, my parents' house, and my family. I know I'll be back here, but I may never live here again. I've lived here the vast majority of my memorable life. I'll try to think about that as little as possible!
It was weird standing in this house that was going to be mine. I knew it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it was hard to hold down the snob in me that has lived a rather charmed life. I knew I wasn't going to get my dream house on an Army post, but it was also totally unlike anything I had ever lived in before. I share walls on both sides with people I don't know. I share my carport and can see my neighbors comings and going from my kitchen. The bathtub seriously grosses me out and I'm not sure how all my bathroom products will fit on/around the sink and vanity. I'm trying to see the positives, but the whole things also makes me nervous. I know once I am living there and filling it with furniture and my things that it will feel more like home. I also think that seeing this house made it real that I am growing up and leaving everything I have known behind. There will come a time really soon that the closest person that I am blood related to will be 8 hours away. I will also be there totally alone for at least a few weeks. It's all becoming real. I am scared and excited at the same time and let me tell you, it's really confusing.
I know this is long, but I am finally finished. I'll post house pictures in their own post after this (no need to make this one any longer, right?). Stay tuned because things will only get crazier!
S.
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