Okay... So the trip and first arrival here were long and a bit emotional, but I'm slowly getting over that I think?! I feel a bit more acomplished now that I've talked with the contractor, met with the roofer, spoke with the lawn man about the overgrown back yard and last but not least... Got a well needed hair cut! :)
I just wish we could hurry up though. I know... I know... I just want to see the finished product before I have to leave and go back to Texas. I'm kinda envious as it will be all new and finished and I will leave. I remember the first remodel we did on this house... How much fun it was to play in the new rooms! Sigh...
On a side note, I know the contractor will be thrilled once my husband joins us for a few weeks... As I couldn't reach the hubby when the tub started filling up with a mucky dirty water so it warranted an 8:30 phone call to the contractor. He reassured me it is sediment and he would next week clean and drain the hot water heater. And that it wasn't much to worry about... Thank goodness! Bless him for being patient! :)
Stay tuned... Next week we have the electrician, plumber and the start the roofing work... Yippee!!!!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Take a Deep Breath
Why do some things just seem easier in our minds, but when it is time for things to play out it just doesn't go as planned? It started over Christmas the week after my Mom died... I started plotting and planning my return to VA. How wexciting it would be to spend the summer at the beach... SAnd between our toes and picnics. I convinced my husband that the cross country adventure would be fun and not a big deal. I even told my husband that I could take the kiddos with me and that there was no need for him to take time away from work to help me. PEACE of CAKE!
Ha Ha Ha...
I packed and planned, organized, and made calls, rearranged the van six or so times and finally it was time to go. The first day was a wreck! 9 hours in the car with two wound up kids just out of school coupled with the brilliant idea of bringing our beloved pets with us was no where near what I had planned. It was miserable and if my friends hadn't called me to check in I think I would have completely pulled my hair our or run screaming from the car. The highlight of the day was the hotel which was nice enough NOT to charge me for the pets, offered a free breakfast at their restaurant and had the most comfortable and wonderful bed ever!!! Of course I didn't sleep a wink because CAV out kitty was still under his "Happy drug" stooper and meowed throughout the night until he found B and I and curled up for the rest of the night.
Day two was a little more peaceful. I think I began to enjoy the trip a little more, opened my eyes to the things around me, and I traded white knuckle grip for a much more relaxing ride. Of course all peaceful and wonderful things must come to an end when we FINALLY arrived at out hotel. I was TRYING to be economica. Afterall the cross country drive was my idea b/c two $100 hotel rooms had to be cheaper than airline tickets! Unfortunately I picked the wrong hotel. As I checked in, I realized this might not be the place for a woman alone with two small helpless kiddos and two little kitties. I feared that in the morning we would be minus hubcaps and toys and what would I do with out the toys??? :-) Did I mention none of the lights worked??? Yes, the scary maintence guy had to come and fix them. He was very nice, but I have to admit, I was kinda scared. :) Anyway, we made it through the night and everything was still in it's spot when we loaded up the next morning.
It was day three when I realized you just have to take a deep breath. I began reflecting on the last few days... Yes, the first day was dealing with the crazy flipped out half drunk cat and rowdy kids, but we made it through Texas and Lousianna and almost through Mississippi. I had seen dry Texas begin to flourish and turn green opening up to beautiful Bayou waterways. I saw trees taller than telephone poles and hysterical billboards that promoted gambling, but had a gambling help hotline number at the bottom. It certainly gave me laughs, and I wasn't alone... I had my dear friends with me at all times through the entire journey. From Texas, my friends were encouraging from NC and VA they were welcoming. I was going to make it! This trip wasn't half bad!
I even stopped in NC to visit "home." Sigh... I miss my house in NC. And I was so impressed with how wonderfully big our little town had gotten. It used to be a military base with a town around it. Now it is town with a military base next to it. Still the same yummy restaurants (can you tell me stopped around lunch time?) The same swimming hole... The same crazy land marks (minus the swingers love hotel... LOL). And again, I realized that sometimes you have to take a breathe and realize life is about growing and not going as planned. It's about experiencing and opening your eyes to let something "different" float through. It isn't easy... Nope, I can attest to that, but life doesn't fit squarely in a nice little box... It spills over and gets mixed up.
So my trip cross country... Well, it wasn't too bad over all. It prepared me for what is to come and it reminds me to take a step back re-evaluate and adjust course. And I know the same out reached arms that encouraged me to go forward and the welcoming hands on the other side will be there for me. Like a hug holding me ready to catch me in case I stumble. I am blessed. I thank God for these ordinary miracles, and I know life is good as long as you take a deep breathe.
Ha Ha Ha...
I packed and planned, organized, and made calls, rearranged the van six or so times and finally it was time to go. The first day was a wreck! 9 hours in the car with two wound up kids just out of school coupled with the brilliant idea of bringing our beloved pets with us was no where near what I had planned. It was miserable and if my friends hadn't called me to check in I think I would have completely pulled my hair our or run screaming from the car. The highlight of the day was the hotel which was nice enough NOT to charge me for the pets, offered a free breakfast at their restaurant and had the most comfortable and wonderful bed ever!!! Of course I didn't sleep a wink because CAV out kitty was still under his "Happy drug" stooper and meowed throughout the night until he found B and I and curled up for the rest of the night.
Day two was a little more peaceful. I think I began to enjoy the trip a little more, opened my eyes to the things around me, and I traded white knuckle grip for a much more relaxing ride. Of course all peaceful and wonderful things must come to an end when we FINALLY arrived at out hotel. I was TRYING to be economica. Afterall the cross country drive was my idea b/c two $100 hotel rooms had to be cheaper than airline tickets! Unfortunately I picked the wrong hotel. As I checked in, I realized this might not be the place for a woman alone with two small helpless kiddos and two little kitties. I feared that in the morning we would be minus hubcaps and toys and what would I do with out the toys??? :-) Did I mention none of the lights worked??? Yes, the scary maintence guy had to come and fix them. He was very nice, but I have to admit, I was kinda scared. :) Anyway, we made it through the night and everything was still in it's spot when we loaded up the next morning.
It was day three when I realized you just have to take a deep breath. I began reflecting on the last few days... Yes, the first day was dealing with the crazy flipped out half drunk cat and rowdy kids, but we made it through Texas and Lousianna and almost through Mississippi. I had seen dry Texas begin to flourish and turn green opening up to beautiful Bayou waterways. I saw trees taller than telephone poles and hysterical billboards that promoted gambling, but had a gambling help hotline number at the bottom. It certainly gave me laughs, and I wasn't alone... I had my dear friends with me at all times through the entire journey. From Texas, my friends were encouraging from NC and VA they were welcoming. I was going to make it! This trip wasn't half bad!
I even stopped in NC to visit "home." Sigh... I miss my house in NC. And I was so impressed with how wonderfully big our little town had gotten. It used to be a military base with a town around it. Now it is town with a military base next to it. Still the same yummy restaurants (can you tell me stopped around lunch time?) The same swimming hole... The same crazy land marks (minus the swingers love hotel... LOL). And again, I realized that sometimes you have to take a breathe and realize life is about growing and not going as planned. It's about experiencing and opening your eyes to let something "different" float through. It isn't easy... Nope, I can attest to that, but life doesn't fit squarely in a nice little box... It spills over and gets mixed up.
So my trip cross country... Well, it wasn't too bad over all. It prepared me for what is to come and it reminds me to take a step back re-evaluate and adjust course. And I know the same out reached arms that encouraged me to go forward and the welcoming hands on the other side will be there for me. Like a hug holding me ready to catch me in case I stumble. I am blessed. I thank God for these ordinary miracles, and I know life is good as long as you take a deep breathe.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Temporary Hiatus
I know I know... I have been hit or miss here alot lately... Right now we are getting ready for school to be out and begin our adventures back East. Stay tuned...
I'm leaving you with some pictures of the last few weeks, and then you'll understand why it has been a little difficult to try to squeeze in a blog. :)
S'mores... For out camping night in
Cubscouts
Awards Assembly C received the highest award in the school district! WE were so suprised and so very proud of our little( ahem... Big Man!)
And of course enjoying a little bit of sunshine :)
Bear with me... I'm hoping to settle into thing in the next few weeks... Stay tuned for my updates on going back to school. I'm so incredibly excited and scared... So check back often. :) And have a fantastic summer!!!!
I'm leaving you with some pictures of the last few weeks, and then you'll understand why it has been a little difficult to try to squeeze in a blog. :)
S'mores... For out camping night in
Cubscouts
Awards Assembly C received the highest award in the school district! WE were so suprised and so very proud of our little( ahem... Big Man!)
And of course enjoying a little bit of sunshine :)
Bear with me... I'm hoping to settle into thing in the next few weeks... Stay tuned for my updates on going back to school. I'm so incredibly excited and scared... So check back often. :) And have a fantastic summer!!!!
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