Well, the Internet was gone a little before I had expected. I am already lost without it. Plus, I think we somehow lost our email address and now I can't even log in here at the library. That's right, we are packing our moving van tomorrow and heading out early Saturday, yet I can't leave without a weekly list. That is what you call dedication. Pete calls it something different. This has been a week of huge ups and downs. I don't even want to think about my goodbyes with my mom and sister. Too much. I love them both more than I could ever express. Over the last year I have realized that they are me and I them. I have never had a closer relationship with my mom and I hope she doesn't fear that will change. I feel a huge responsibility towards her and her well being and I will still be breathing down her neck from Utah. So, before my time runs up on the old library countdown I would like to list 5 things I enjoyed this week.
#1. I will start with my moms visit. We picked her up at the ferry on Sunday and she left this morning. We shopped and ate(not her) and drove around and she prodded me into finishing up my packing. We played Scrabble and gossiped and it was so nice and fun and man do I love her.
#2. Part of the shopping included the long anticipated Lego store . It was all the boys hoped for and Olive bought a whole cup from the bulk brick wall. All pink, (pink legos!) and flowers and picket fences and now she is beginning her own lego obsession. The boys built custom figures and also bought some knights and skeletons and have completely dog eared the catalogs they brought home.
#3. Leaving the mall I ran into my best high school friend Sara, who was in town on business. I have not seen her in ten years and we had planned on meeting the next day. I was so happy that she got to meet the kids and my mom was so happy to get to see her also. The next evening we met in Seattle and closed down a couple of places until we ended up just walking the streets. Yeah, that's right, I said walking the streets. I could have talked all night and am so happy to have her back in my life. She is just the same as teenage Sara and has an awesome sense of humor.
#4. I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance.
#5. We had pizza with the Williams crew last night. It was bittersweet as I look back on the past almost two years and all we have done together. This will always be great memories for me. Some of them difficult, some just plain crazy. But always entertaining. Those kids are my blood and I will always adore and love them. I will hold out hope that someday I will own a Williams. Seven will always be a surprise to me. From the moment I learned he was in the world. Malachi will always be Uncle Petes boy and I look forward to having them come stay with Auntie in the summer. Oh, this is hard.
Despite the goodbyes, I am very excited for this new chapter in our lives. I look forward to what the future holds for me and my babies. How will Pete like the job? How will I handle all my time alone? Who squeezed the Charmin? So, it may be sporadic here but I am sure someone will allow me access to a computer or else I will be back at the library. And I will be checking, so tell me, what did you do this week?
7 comments:
1. A night out with my mom and sister. We spent the night downtown and went to a women's health conference the next day.
2. Success at the dentist. After many years of trying, Elise finally let them do xrays and clean her teeth. She even did it all by herself while I sat in the chair in the adjacent room. I was so proud of her until I heard her holler out, "woo hoo I got a cavity!" (try 9 cavities--arrgh!)
3. A field trip to the Utah State Fair with Alexia's 3rd grade class.
4. A nice note from Elise's kindergarten teacher about how well she is doing in class.
5. One of my professors from last semester changed my grade from a B to an A after I convinced him that I really had turned in the assignments that he said I was missing.
I can't wait to see you guys! Mattie you are always welcome to come use our computer.
1. Spent the day at the Santa Cruz County Fair. Ate way too much fair food, best corn dog ever, and perfect weather.
2. Our friend Tonya was here for a few days. I don't think I've ever heard anyone laugh so easily or as often. It was nice to have in the house.
3. Another change of management at work. This time a woman, should be interesting.
4. Indian summer is here and the weather has been perfect. This means more time at the dog park with Atman. I don't know what he'll do when we leave, his favorite thing is running the park with his girlfriend Lucy.
5. Continuing to prepare for our move. I can feel for you and all the emotions that come with a big change. I have been here for 55 years and it's going to be hard but at the same time exciting.
I can't really say the week has been enjoyable. I have spent most of my week (about 11 hours daily at work and then a couple more at home) getting used to new students, a new classroom, and teaching a K/1 combo. Big difference from my 5th graders, who were awesome this year. But at least I have a job in this unstable world, so that makes me lucky. And I am reminded of how much my students mean to me by the amount of time I put into getting everything ready for them. Plus I am back in kindergarten where I get to hear things like, "I have to make pee-pee." Yes that is a direct quote that I heard twice this week. It's been crazy and not so enjoyable, but I love my job, and that's a great feeling.
1. School pictures for the girls. I love to see all the kids at school looking their best and the endless sea of moms hoping that their child will still look good come picture time!
2. True friendship. Because I hurt my leg I cannot drive the girls to school. However this week has been full of friends offering to take them. It's always nice to be reminded of what true friendship is.
3. Fall. While the changes in Southern California are small they are still there. This week it finally cooled down at night. The trees are changing colors. The house is decorated for fall. I love it! It is my favorite time of the year!
4. I won VIP tickets for the air show this week. We were unable to go last year so we are really looking forward to it this year.
5. Scott. The Navy is not happy that he is having to take time off of work to take care of me and the girls. However he has tried hard not to let it affect him or us. He continues to do EVERYTHING around here. He takes good care of the girls and is making sure that my every need is met. He is an AWESOME husband and I could never express how much I love him.
Mattie- I hope all is well with the move. I am very excited for you!
1. Friday, hanging out at the river. Then dinner with friends at Andina, a Peruvian restaurant I've been wanting to try since moving to Portland (I don't recommend the beef hearts). Then cleaning up in Scrabble.
2. Saturday, hanging out at the river.
3. Sunday, hanging out at the river.
4. Monday, hanging out at the river, 97 degrees and then celebrating Nancy's birthday.
5. Tuesday, hanging out at the river, another hot day, and finishing "Fortress of Solitude" by Jonathan Lethem, my new favorite author.
Welcome back to Utah! We've been thinking about you a lot. Hope you guys had a good trip and good luck getting settled in. See you on Friday!
1. Catching up with a dear friend (and walking the streets with her, to boot)...that was my best day :-).
2. I saw a movie at a movie theatre (a guilty pleasure I indulge while on travel)
3. I drank lots and lots of coffee (another guilty pleasure I indulge while on travel)
4. I went to an charity dinner/auction in downtown Seattle.
5. I was upgraded to first class on the flight home...you can't argue with a free upgrade and free flowing red wine ; - ).
It was so awesome to see you, Mattie! Hope you had a safe journey and that the gummy eyeballs were a hit!
Post a Comment