Whew!

And it is hot in Oregon!  For the fourth day in a row we are over 90F.  That is hot!  Humidity is running about 14% - 22% and that means one careless spark can cause a forest wildfire, a grain field to explode into flames, or burn a backyard.  That's why I am staying inside, in the cool.

Packing continues.  Seems I just get one area done and another pops up needing packing!  Oh well, the liquor store boxes are just plain great.  Strong and just the right size for most everything.  Debbie will be here Wednesday to help with the loading, unloading, and putting things right.  She will be taking home a dozen of Mom's Ball Freezer Jars for herself and a dozen for Peggy.  Those things are selling for $12 each.  Which means any leftover will be sold.  I just plan on keeping a few for me.

Yesterday, we spent our 40th Anniversary packing.  We took it slow and easy.  Sometime in the next couple of months we will go to the Coast for a weekend.  We celebrated with a Taco Salad with Chicken.  Scott was so tired he was in bed by 8:30pm and he slept the night through.

That's it for today.  I won't be posting for the next few days.  Lot's to do.

Happy 61st Scott!

Yeppers, today my soul-mate turns 61!  So, Happy Birthday my Love!

Boy, were we busy yesterday.  It started off with a Dr visit for me.  Just a follow-up on my mental state.  I was in and out and on my way in less than 40 minutes.  While I was doing that, Scott took Grover to the Humane Society.  I realized that this will be the 4th re-homing for him.  He is so adorable, I really think he will find a new home quickly.  I just hope that this one will be able to keep him.

Then, it was off to the newspaper to get more end rolls.  I am packing the jars with food in them.  We decided to sell all the rest of the jars and canning supplies.  It was a hard decision, but with the fibro and mental problems flaring I just don't know if I will be able to do the work when the food is ripe and waiting.

Scott needed to get some diabetic testing done.  It took minutes and we were off again.  We ate brunch at a little cafe in West Salem that used to have the best food around.  Alas, the new owners don't know how to cook.  It was disastrous! 

Then home we went.  We digested our breakfast as we talked about what needs to be done, bought, and all for the bathroom.  Scott was off for his Dr visit.  I decided to take a nap, I'd only slept four hours the night before.  I woke, sometime later, all groggy and Scott was nowhere in sight.  I called him, he was getting the cashier's check for our apartment deposit.

Back to Salem we went to pay the deposit and sign the rental agreement.  Scott explained he was at the Dr's office for two and a half hours.  Seems there were two emergencies that came in.  He was there for a check-up, he's fine, and to get some official paperwork filled out and signed by the Dr.  With that done, he went to the bank.

While waiting our turn at the manager's office, we were able to make the change from homeowners insurance to renters insurance with one phone call.  Papers signed, we decided on burgers for dinner.  Home again.  We missed getting the address changed at the PO and getting our garage sale permit from the city.  Scott will do both next week. 

It was a busy, busy day.  Poor Scott didn't sleep well last night.  I hope he gets some rest tonight.  We have the garage/shop to go through tomorrow.  Since the temps are in the 90's, we need to get the work done early or else late.  And I vote for early.  That leaves late for rest and recuperation.

It's still summer.  I had to remind myself this morning.  It's 11am and 63F outside right now.  Overcast and a little windy.  I'm in a sweater, long pants, and socks.  I used to love these mornings when I was picking beans or blackberries.  You can sure get a lot done without the heat!

Yesterday I did a number on my back.  No, not picking up something too heavy.  I was just walking across the floor and POW! my back went into spasms.  I treated it quickly, muscle relaxer and pain reliever, and by this am it is fine.  I didn't get much done yesterday, as I was too 'floaty' to get much done.  I did fix dinner and it was yummy.

It's time to get back to work.  I have the coat closet and bathroom non-essentials to pack today.  Have a great day!

Conversation

Oh, how I want to talk with my mother.  To sit with her and just chat about whatever.  To share my pain and my joys.  To snuggle with her while she plays with my hair.  The feel of her, the smell of her, I miss it so.

Tonight, Scott and I watched 'Shrink'.  I recommend you take the time.  In the end, everything is looking up for all who were hurting in the beginning.  It made me cry.  Because, you see, I will never feel like everything is looking up.  No without more therapy and a cocktail of psychotrophic drugs.
The movie ask the question, "Why do suicides do it?"
There was no answer.  Because, there is no answer.  I personally know some of the answers.  But, each individual has their own reasons.  Some cannot express those reasons.
The most common reason is pain.  Physical or psychological, it's  pain.  It is unrelenting.  You can never escape it.

I am doing better.  I have handled most of this move on my own.  I found the apartment.  I scheduled the new utilities and the movers.  I am doing the lion's share of the packing and sorting.
I think, from the time we move, I will be more involved in our finances.  It's only right that we share those duties and tonight we made up a dirty budget.  We still have to figure somethings out; but for the most part, every expense is accounted for.  It's a good budget, with savings, vacations, dinners out, clothes included.
Tonight, I want to finish sorting the dining room and living room.  The storage room is filling with all the boxes and stuff.  Funny, how when you really look at it; just how little you really use everyday and just how little you need for your life.
Less is more!  I did find solutions for all the crystal, that will have it accessible.  My old baby dresser (Dad converted it to nut, bolt and nail storage) will be used for Scott's tools and a few nuts and bolts.  I will sand it and verethane it (to reduce the lead pain chipping off.)  It will fit in the 2nd bedroom closet.

Bon Nuit!

A Packing Saturday

First off, dinner with Dad and Dorthy was great.  Rob, Debbie, and Lindsay were also there.  We had sweet and sour meatballs, mashed taters, coleslaw, fresh pickles and corn on the cob.  With homemade lemon meringue pie!  I couldn't find mucilage, so I gave Dad a bottle of good ol' Elmers.  We all got a good laugh!

Debbie came over today and helped pack the dining room and the giant, built-in hutch.  Wow!  Let's just say, there was a lot of stuff.  I still have the desk to do, but that won't take long.  My goal of a room a day is being met just fine.

Friday, Scott worked on the backroom, used to be a garage until he built the new wall.  We've just been using it as a catch-all.  He sorted the stuff we're keeping and that that is being sold.  He moved to Grandma Lee's old maple dresser to the living room.  We are going to use it for storage and a TV stand. 
I got boxes from the liquor store.  What a score!  I got over 25 boxes with those cardboard liners.  We used the liners to cushion the Franciscan Ware!

Tomorrow, Scott is going to work on the shop.  I am going to do some 'neatening' and begin study on the Fung Shui.  Can't wait for normal again.

Happy 89th, Dad!

Today my dad is 89 years old.  Wow, that's about 15 years longer than we thought he would make it.  (Back when Grandpa Jake died - at 78, we took bets on how long Dad would survive.)  No one took over 75.  But, guess he decided to fool us all.  Anyway, I'm going over there for dinner tonight.
I guess I'd better get him a small gift.  When I was about 9 - 10 I gave him a bottle of mucilage for Christmas.  Wonder if they still make the stuff?


The worst part of the past two weeks has been IBS.  I've been through this so many times; but it sure makes life rough.  Sorry if you have a queasy stomach, but I have had diarrhea for the past two weeks.  Imodium is my friend.  I am craving liquids to replenish what is leaving.  I get shaky and have to eat more frequently which means ----- more frequently.  All I know is, This too shall pass.  ;)

Yesterday I got the 2nd bedroom packed.  Books, art supplies, paper.  I still have to find a box for all the treasured Girl Scout stuff.  I am going to make a scrapbook this winter, with the help of that scrapbooker extraordinaire, Sabrina.

Today, I am cleaning the bathrooms.  And doing some general picking up and putting away.  You wouldn't believe what a mess the house it.  Really.  Well, it's only two weeks and then we move the good stuff out of here and leave the non-essentials behind.  Talk about de-cluttering!
Hopefully, by just having what we really need about, I will have an easier time keeping the house up!

Exhaustion

Yesterday I paid for all that activity on Monday.  I couldn't stay awake.  I was just plain exhausted.  So I allowed myself to sleep.  Today, I feel so much better.

I went back to Walmart yesterday (they were supposed to have boxes for me).  Well, seems the afternoon crew give out the wrong information on boxes.  You have to call at 9:30pm to have boxes ready at 7am.  So, tonight, I'll make the call.  The store manager did find me about a dozen boxes.

In Lennon news:  He took off his diaper and gave it to his mom.  Then he proceeded to pee on her foot.  Guess he's ready for potty training. 

I really don't have much to write about today.  I need to clean house and get more packing done.  Debbie is coming over Saturday to help pack.  I am saving the dining room with the giant, built in hutch and the kitchen for her to help with.
Scott will do the shop on Friday.  And then, on Sunday he will finish the shop and get to the backroom. Meanwhile, there's the bedroom, bathrooms, and living room.  Packing 945 sq ft house, 150sq ft shop, 200 sq ft backroom.
Better get my breakfast and get to work.

Tuna sandwiches, chips, and strawberry shortcake for dinner tonight. 

I Picked Out the Apartment!

Yes, I did.  Then, after I got home, I realized that the one I chose didn't have W/D hook-up. :(.  Okay, the laundry is right outside the door.  End unit, ground floor, parking space right in front of the door, next to the pool, grassy area just off the patio, covered parking for one of us,   950 sq ft.  475 in living/kitchn and 475 in 2 bedrooms and bath.  Just about what we have here.  We move on the 18th or just after.  Done!  Oh, by the way, it came in $250 under budget!

I also did all my list:
Go to the bank, check
Apartment, check
Boxes, check - well, this am, Walmart fills requests for boxes from the nightly restocking crew.  You pick them up the next morning.
Newsprint end roll, check!
I also fixed dinner, bought some milk, juice and kitty toys.
Whew, yes I am tired!

Have you ever wondered just what goes through your pet's mind?  While in the back room, I noticed a stinky odor near the  old chest of drawers.  I found one of the cat's had pooed in a pristinely clean glass jar.  He had to balance himself on the edge of a 3 in opening and poo!  From the way it was sitting there, it just looked like it needed a sealed lid to keep it for all eternity!

Conversation with my daughter:
me - Hello?
her - Hi
grandson - Kukka poo
her - What?
grandson - Kukka poo
her - Mom, I'll call you right back.  The dog just pooed in Lennon's room.
her - Yes, I know 'Kukka poo' get out of it, I'll take care of it.
grandson picks up the phone and announces, 'Kukka poo.'
click.

Lennon and Kukka

We Have An Apartment!

Yuppers, we were finally approved and I go to pick out the apartment I want in a couple of hours!  Now, maybe I can relax.  Really, I have been so wound up I am starting to unravel.  I have been relying on the energy to do somethings around the house.  Now, it's time to get the energy focused at packing and re-familiarizing myself with fung shui. 
Yes, I practice fung shui.  It makes for a harmonious home and helps to keep the chi flowing throughout my life.  I use the books of Sharon Stasney, who has simplified fung shui so us Americans can better understand the complex lines of thought.  Her book Chic Living With Feng Shui: Stylish Designs for Harmonious Living combines her three previous books into one easy to understand and relate to your life.
In other errands:

• Stop by the Safeway and Walmart to see if they have any boxes
• Stop by the newspaper and buy an end roll of newsprint to use to cushion delicates.  (Since there is no printing on the paper, there will be no smugs on the items wrapped.
• Go to the bank to get money to put in the other bank to pay the deposit on the apartment.

Alright girl, start channeling the drive you took yesterday to settle down those nerves.  We drove the back roads to Falls City.  We went through town and up the mountain with the goal of getting to Black Rock, an old logging city, but the road was closed due to fire damage.  It was a peaceful drive up and back the Little Luckimute River. 
Old Gerlinger Park is closed, Polk County just doesn't have enough money to keep their spartan county parks open.  We used to picnic there a lot.  It has nice shallows for kids to play in and lots of shade to rest in on hot summer days.
We took a drive alongside the edge of the valley with farms to left of us and forest to the right.  I was reminded of living in the Coquille River Valley in Coos County.  It's like that all over Western Oregon.  Forests coming down to touch the wide river valleys combining farming and logging in one small space.  The farms are small and each is unique.  I think per acre, the Willamette Valley produces more variety of product than anywhere else in the US.

 I will leave you with a picture from yesterday --- Fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium  and if you peer through the pink you will see the white of flower of Blue Elderberry, Sambucus cerulea.

Marine Air and Sundry

One thing about living in the Willamette Valley, one day you will be scorched and the next a load of marine air will move in and you'll be lucky to hit 75F.  Such is now.  It's 10am and 58F.  I had to look for my slippers!

Lennon has learned to take off his diaper!  He wants to wear pull ups but is not ready for potty training.  So he goes around channeling his inner plumber, butt crack and all!  It's cute, but embarrassing when they are in public.  The joys of approaching two.

Last night Scott made a breakthrough!  He is getting rid of almost all of his books!  Yeah!  I am only keeping a very few.  After all, there is something called the world wide web and a big building holding thousands of tomes.  We are breaking the print addiction!  After all, like 99% of those books have not been cracked in the past five years!

News flash, this just in....................Grover has broken one of the scratching posts!  As he attacked it, the fiber board base disintegrated; leaving two pieces to be attacked and played with.  That post must be at least 10 years old.  Got my monies worth with that one!

All you dear readers have a pleasant day.  We are going in search of boxes.