Progress Slow Slow Slow

The kitchen is looking better.  Still ready for the desk.  Still haven't called Comcast or changed how I intend to do things.  Working on the office.  Filled the recycle bin again.  I wouldn't have thought there would be enough in the office to do that with all the times I filled it before.  I was wrong.
Even with all the chaos you can at least start to see where it is going.  I think we need a goodwill run, a dump run and a hazardous waste run.  That would help a lot in how the whole process is going.  Maybe we will do one of those tomorrow before grocery shopping.

Fun At Firstenberg

The little woman has been wanting to do something new.  The first thing on her list is a visit to a farm.  Unfortunately for her, she was in school when the little man and I went to pick up some baskets and they were at a horse farm.  He so enjoyed trying to pet the chickens and petting a horse and feeding it hay.  He tried to pet the cat, but the cat was smart and left.  The dogs loved him.
So our new outing that included her was a trip to the Firstenburg Community Center for open swim.  That pool is great for kids.  It has a water feature, a slide (which they aren't tall enough for yet), laps and a lazy river.  They have life vests for the kids to use.  So we spent almost the whole hour and 45 minutes just going round and round on the river.  Who knew you could get that much exercise from that.  I had jello legs at first when we got out of the water.  They almost fell asleep on the way home.
While there we signed both kids up for swimming lessons that start next week. The little woman had reminded me for the umpteenth time that I was continuing to forget to do that. Well now it is done. No pictures from the pool since cameras aren't allowed.  Maybe I will get a picture when they have lessons from the viewing area.We again send our thanks to all who make that possible.

Back to Stepping

First we moved and I couldn't find a rhythm. Time just kept getting away.  I still averaged 10,000 steps a day for 2015.  2016 is going to suck.  Then I lost the fitbit. Almost cried since the stupid things cost $50 and I bought two because of losing one already.  Found it and then the battery died.  Of course.
I have not had good luck on batteries lasting in the fitbit.  According to their website they should last six month.  The last one didn't make four.  So I procrastinated.  Batteries have costed anywhere from $4 to $8 depending on where and whether it was a two pack or a single.  It's not a great deal of money...still seems a lot for a battery.
So we are at Winco and I thought I will just look because it is time to get back at it.  $1.75 for a two pack.  That about floored me.  I never look for batteries at the grocery store because you buy those kinds of things cheaper elsewhere.  Even Walmart doesn't compare with that price.  Bought a pack.
And yesterday I was back at it.  Came in at 10,600 steps.  Belinda (my stepping partner)...need a nudge....I'm back.

Mom So Funny

Took Mom a bismark with an identity crisis. They ran out of bismark so filled some bars.  Tasted the same and I think because it was a bar it was bigger or more filling or something. We enjoyed them.
We were watching in the courtyard to see if any birds had discovered the feeder yet. Well someone filled the feeder.  I was only putting a small amount in it until it was being used and of course I had spilled half of what I put in it when it fell over on Sunday.  I think Mom is not the only one going to enjoy the feeder.
Then the facility dogs were outside running around.  Well that gave Mom the idea that Phoebe could come stay there.  Right....so I had to explain how Phoebe had been there but the decision was Phoebe needs to just be a visiting dog.  That went over okay for now.
The nurse came in and told me how much better Mom is doing.  Well Mom jumped in on the conversation.  So I explained how she did wonderful in transition and then it all went  to pot.  And that was why Phoebe came.  But that now she seems more settled even without Phoebe.  And she does.  She did ask again how her stuff came to be there, but more with curiosity than anger.
I will so say that my friend Mona was so right a few years ago when she told me I was going to have a much harder time with my mom than I do with the littles.  It's not just the work aspect...it is the emotional stuff and dealing with the emotional roller coaster.  It is hard losing her bit by bit and watching it.  It is hard having her emotions be up and down and out in space and never knowing in which state she will be in when I see her next.  Although I have discovered mornings are better for sundowners in the emotional department.  But this week we have seen her in the afternoons and an evening and it was all right.  This week.

Lost It

My oomph.  I think my dead battery in the morning set the tone for the day.  Got the battery charged and the little woman to school.  Did have the thought that I could charge the battery in Mom's car and move it. So I did that.
The little man and I took Phoebe to visit Mom.  Not that either one of them paid any attention to each other.......
My biggest other accomplishment of the day was getting the yard mowed.  Amazing how quickly it gets shaggy.  Anyway it looks much better.
We also went grocery shopping, but none of us were into it so we only get the necessities that will get us through till the weekend.  We have two lunches this week to pack and have to make sure we comply with the new rules the state has made for daycare.  I foresee a lot of carrots in their lunch in the future.  ;p

Seeing the Doctor

The little man has an appointment to get all his dental work done at one time.  He will be put under anesthesia.  In order for that to happen he has to have permission from his doctor.  So that appointment has came.  The little man is good to go for his dental appointment.
He hasn't seen the doctor in quite awhile....more of that sleeping thing.  And so he is now 3 feet 6 inches tall.  He weighs in at 44 pounds.  I had the little woman hop up on the scale also and she weighed in at 52 pounds (four pound gain since her ear infection).
I had been getting just a tad worried because it seemed like they had both went a whole year without gaining any weight. Now they don't look malnourished and both were growing taller.  Just no weight gain.  And then she had lost two pounds when we got the flu and her ear infection.
 I am much relieved that they are healthy and gaining.

Settling Maybe

After a week Creekside asked me to bring Phoebe home.  Mom wasn't taking care of her, as I said she wouldn't.  And half the time she was even forgetting that she has a dog.  So I went in to broach the subject with Mom and she was holding on the Phoebe for dear life.  I never said anything.  Time to leave and I go out front to talk to the nurse about it and to tell her that I will take Phoebe later.  While waiting Mom comes out with Phoebe on a leash and with her purse. I ask her where she is going and she tells me she doesn't know because I haven't told her.
So we ended up going for a ride to pick up the littles from daycare.  After we got back and dropped her she had forgotten all about Phoebe so we left her in the car.  Took Mom in and got her settled.
In the week since then she has not asked about Phoebe until Sunday.  And she didn't really ask about Phoebe.  She wanted to know about Phoebe's bowls at her apartment.  I hadn't taken them home yet. I told her they were there for when Phoebe came to visit. She accepted that and didn't say anything more.
Yesterday afternoon Mom called.  She was bored.  Wanted to know when I was coming to visit and take her some place.  The first words out of my mouth are we just went out for dinner the night before. Oy.  It's not helpful when I say it. She doesn't remember.  But things are out of my mouth before I have a chance to think about them.
So today Phoebe, Connor and I will go visit her.  It is easier when it is one child.  Although the easier child is Audrie.  It is what it is.  I remember when I didn't ever think that would be the case.
I think it is finally sinking in that she lives at Creekside.....at least part of the time.

The Urban Snail

I had all these great plans.  Was going to have a cute little garden.  Nope.  Not going to happen.  I don't have enough time in my motivation.  I'm still going to be working on the house when it should be time to harvest from a garden.
So lucky me.  I reconnected with a friend from work who used to run a piercing shop.  Now she is a farmer and has a CSA.  It is called The Urban Snail.  She is still new to the business so she will be selling baskets instead of whole shares like most CSA.  She will have two sizes.  Guess where I will be getting my produce? And buying baskets is easier on my budget.  She is happy to know she will have another customer who is consistent.  :)

Family Dinner for Mom's Birthday

Today is my mom's 73rd birthday.  We took her out to Red Lobster.  Every one mostly behaved.  Pat had a beautiful Bahama Mama and Mom had a Mac and seven and then forgot she had one.  We all had a lovely meal and nice company.  The littles enjoyed seeing the lobsters as always.
Afterward we took her home and hung up her new bird feeder.  And it promptly fell over.  The ground is so soft right now.  Hopefully we found a better spot and it won't be on the ground the next time we go over.
The only mention of Phoebe was Mom questioning why she has dog food and a water bowl there.  Told me it has been there the whole time.  Well it hasn't.  I just told her it was for when Phoebe comes to visit.  That seemed fine.

Naturally

So I'm rolling right along.  Got the spot in the dining room almost all ready for the desk and the computers.  Decided that before I moved everything I wanted to make sure the connection was good for the internet.  Naturally.....it wasn't.  And boy did it feel like I was in hot water when the littles lost their wi-fi.
Now I need to figure out how to get it all set up there so I can continue working on making the little man's room.  But no computer is moving until we have an internet connections.  Wonder if I have to have a comcast tech for that.

Progress

Slowly, but surely the little woman's room is coming together.  The shelves took two trips to the hardware store.  The screws I bought first didn't work since I missed the studs.  So we had to go back and get molly screws.  Now those shelves are up for good.
We also hung the butterfly kite.  It hasn't been up on a ceiling since we resided with Papa.  So the last three years or so it has just been stored.  Good to see it where it belongs.  On the ceiling of the little woman's bedroom.
I think it is time to move into the office and get it cleared out so I can work on the little man's bedroom and get his dresser out of his sissy's room.
Still working in the garage.  I was rather in shock when I realized there are eight dog crates here.

Movie Day

The reward for being so good and brave at the dentist was an afternoon at the theater watching "Zootopia".  We picked up Adrianna and took her with.  Due to her mom and sisters' work schedules we had her till her mom got home.  We all enjoyed the movie and ate half the popcorn I had bought.
Unfortunately the other half ended up all over the back seat of my car.  The only saving grace to that is I needed to vacuum all the dog hair out anyway....
We stopped at Old Town Burgers and had supper.  You could tell the little man had went just a little too long before he ate.  He was much better when he finally got his chicken strip ate.  Once home, I vacuumed out the car while the kids played on bikes and scooters.

Dentist

Part of waking up and getting stuff done included dentist appointments for the littles.  The little man has a tooth that is bothering him.  His appointment was first and he will go back in a couple of weeks for some major work.  He will most likely lose his front teeth just like Audrie did.  I have no clue as to why.  We always blamed hers on her face plant when she was beginning to walk.  Anyway....
She had her appointment today.  No cavities.  She was a little nervous, but very brave.  I'm sure today was a much better experience for her.  Her last experience was when she came home with no front teeth.
The only issue she has is her six year molars don't appear to be as tough as the dentist would like.  Those teeth developed before she was one year-old.  He thought perhaps it was due to some antibiotics at the time.  Anyway we will watch and if necessary sometime down the line they will get crowns.

Prince

Prince died today.  And I am reminded of his debut on "American Bandstand" in January of 1980.  That was a day or two ago. He had such stage presence and you knew he was going to be big.
He came from Minneapolis...my hometown.  My aunt had at the least met him as that is where she lived.  I can remember being jealous of that.
Four years later "Purple Rain" came out and I was enamored.  He was a spectacular performer and musician.  The world well be a less colorful place without him.
RIP Prince

Picture Day

The little woman had a long day at school today.  Early release day.  That allowed me to get some work done at  home because the little man was behaving.  That should have been a clue.
After we picked her up from school, we headed to the mall for pictures.  Got some McDonald's on the way so every one was fed.  Then he fell asleep.  That should have been a clue.
Got there and they behaved long enough to get some pictures taken.  Enough that we were able to pick a nice pose.  Not the one I would have picked, but the little woman really wanted one with her animal in it. There were two and one was better than the other so we went with that.
We love Picture People because we get the pictures the same day.  So while we waited for the pictures to be printed we headed down to the play place.  I don't think we were there for even ten minutes.  Once we hit the second time out it was time to go. Yup good behavior was over.  So we collected our pictures and home we went.
Once home we were back to being fine.  I'm not sure what caused our mishap at the mall.  Food.  Tiredness.  Rambunctiousness.
Anyway we did get our sibling picture taken.  Now to find frames and get it and their last pictures on the wall.

Best Laid Plans

Rush is over and we are officially in our lull.  It should stay like that till May.  So I know I have some time off coming.  And my best laid plans are to get the rest of the way settled.  Yeah right......I have already booked dentist appointments, doctor appointments, picture appointment, etc.
My good week off was to start today after I got off work.  But one of my co-workers had a family emergency and I was asked to come work on Thursday for textbook inventory.  It is something that is done every quarter.  I've never worked the textbook inventory, just the big annual store wide one.  So this will make up for missing the big one this year (it's in July).  And I almost always take hours when they are offered so my week became five days in a row.
As always...the best laid plans never work out the way they are planned.  Life always throws curve balls and we just roll with it.
And Phoebe is back.  I really enjoyed not having a dog for a week.  It just wasn't working out.  Mom wasn't taking care of her and she needed to come back home. That was my prediction at the beginning, but they wanted to try it at the assisted living facility.  Bet that throws a nice bump in our road.

A Safe Scare

The little woman had asked if the neighbor boys could give her a ride in their cart that they were hauling around with their bike.  And so she got a ride.  And then another one.  And maybe even another one.
Then here comes the little man to tell me that she is lost.  She is on the next street crying because she can't find her way home.  The neighbor boys tell me the people who are helping her called the cops because they didn't know where she lived.  I walked around the block and collected her.
The boys had taken her to the playground and left her.  I think there was some scaring involved as the boys are a little older than her.  And so she tried to get home.  She just didn't quite make it to our block.
She was scared and she was warm.  The people had not called the cops although they may have if someone didn't come collect her.  Greatly appreciative of them giving her some water and some shade to sit in.  I don't know where her brother was that she couldn't come home with him.....because he knew where she was and he wasn't lost.
Anyway we walked back home and I showed her the street sign with the 7 on it.  She's got it now.  She knows she lives on seventh street.
And then we are back to the rule of no one goes to the park without me.  It has always been the rule, but I'm sure the lure of a cart ride was just too much.  Here is to hoping that her scare was enough of one in a safe way to keep her a little safer next time.

Lots of Lilacs

Since lilac is one of my favorite scents, it is amazing that I have never been to Hulda Klager's Lilac Garden.  So today the littles and I headed out to Woodland and visited the lilac garden.  And it was beautiful.  It was worth the drive and the $3 entrance fee.  Once.
We smelled many different kinds of lilacs.  The little woman swore one smelled liked popcorn.  It didn't smell like lilac to me but I don't know if I would say popcorn.  It was interesting.  We all liked the variegated ones best with those dark dark purple ones coming in close behind.  The dark purple ones had the strongest scent.
We got snacks from the Woodland Boy Scout troop.  They sat and ate while I perused the gift store.  Didn't find anything I had to have.  ;p
After all the looking and the smelling, then the bug hunting began.  Sometimes I am amazed at what interests them at any given moment.

A Lovely Afternoon

Had to run to the pharmacy for Mom and then we took Phoebe out for a walk.  Met a woman in a parking lot to buy some shelves.  And then it was spending the afternoon in the yard.  Mowed.  Pulled some weeds.  Got out the weedeater and debated about trying to make it work.
Mike called and gave me the lowdown on using that weedeater, so I did.  Took all the wonderful stories from Josh on how to use it as an edger and went to work.  The front yard will never look as good as when Josh did it, but it looks a whole lot better than it did.  I pruned up the trees and that helped also.
And then I was tired.  Spent the evening on the couch with the littles watching TV.  A good Saturday.

Thinking

So my friend, Doug, hates his job.  I know a lot of people in that place.  I have no great advice to give.  But what I have been thinking about is a shift in perspective or a shift in place.  Seems there are two choices if you hate your job.  Keep at it and find a new focus or find a new job.
I've read all that stuff about doing what you love.  Well we can't all do that.  I'm sure the garbage man does not love his job.  Most employees at McDonald's don't love their job.  Sometimes a job is what lets you live  and do other things in the time not devoted to working.  Helps if it leaves you enough time and money to do the things you love in your off time.  Helps if you have something to be passionate about also.  If you are just working for the paycheck and surviving.....I have nothing.
Now Doug's job gives him four weeks paid vacation and at our age that is hard to give up.  A new job would most certainly mean back to one or two weeks and hopefully paid.  I have no idea what kind of money his job pays, but starting over means a drop in salary. Health insurance is always a consideration.  So many variables in life.
I remember Dave hated his job for a long time, but we were young and had a lot of responsibilities.  I loved his job and all the security it gave.  ADS paid a lot of bills and gave us a lot of perks.  And Dave found a place with the company where he could be challenged again and not hate his job.  Until he did, but I'm sure that was more the disease of alcoholism.
Me, I love my job.  It's part time with lot of lulls and lots of work hard periods.  It allows me the time to play with the littles.  And yeah......I don't make enough at that job to survive.  My life is planned a whole different way.  It gives me the extras and the fun of the job.
Doug, being a man of integrity and honor with work ethic, will most likely stay at the job till he retires.  And it's not a bad thing.  Just hope he finds a way to make it bearable because I assume he has another fifteen years to go.  Maybe he needs to go on more motorcycle rides with me.....if I could ever find a sitter.  ;p

Odds And Ends

Went to Ace Hardware and got some new screws.  I just wasn't going to expend too much energy looking for the ones that came out of the bed.  So this afternoon the littles and I put the bed back together and got it made.  Now the little man is upset that she has a spiderman blanket.....Oy.  And she has been hanging out in "her room" all evening.
Trying to fill up the recycle bin since tomorrow is Recycle day.  Threw out all of my dad's old trucking stuff.  Kind of strange to see his handwriting after all these years.  I had made the mistake of saying something to Mom months ago about getting rid of that stuff.  And she just had the fearful dear in the headlights look.  I waited.  Till now.
No call from the assisted living last night.  So maybe Phoebe is the cure-all.  I doubt it, but it worked for now. Stopped twice today to see Mom and Phoebe.  Mom was sound asleep this morning.  So I let her sleep.  Took Phoebe out this afternoon.
Sold an outside exercise pen for pets.  We had talked about it last fall but it didn't seem like the time to try and sell it.  It has been lovely lately here so I posted an ad.  Got what I asked for it.  Then when I was visiting Mom they put a note on her door about paying for her haircut.  There went the pen money.  Good timing on it, I guess.

One Down, One to Go

I got the little woman's room ready for her bed.  Then I had to get her bed out of the attic.  Now that bed went up in the attic all right.  I had Mike up top and just handed him stuff.  No one was going up and down the pull down ladder.  And when the beds went up there I thought he would be here to help get them back down.
Best laid plans and all.  So I made my multiple trips up and down the ladder with the four pieces of frame, two of those with posts.  Up and down with slats.  Each twin bed has twenty slats.  The mattress was fun...it got caught on the spring of the ladder.  But I did it.  Got all the pieces down.  Ready to rock and then I realize I don't remember when I put the screws that held the frame together.  It probably wouldn't matter if I did remember because by now they won't be where I put them.
I think tomorrow is going to have a trip to the hardware store added to the list of things to do.
The little woman has been putting a lot of thought into "her room".  She just told me that she needs shelves.  I don't think she means bookshelves because she has those.  She has also informed me how she wants it decorated and where she wants the bed (I think her way isn't going to work). And I think I have heard something about My Little Pony.  I think she is liking this idea of her own space.

Phoebe

So Phoebe moved to Creekside.  It was the suggestion of the director.  She is hoping that Phoebe being there will be some comfort for Mom while she settles in.  After the first week Mom has had lots of ups and downs.  They are taking on the responsibility of reminding Mom to take the dog outside.
If she stays there great and if not, I am getting a break from having a dog.
I haven't lived with a little dog for awhile and Phoebe likes to get in my way and trips me a lot.

Food Pyramid

Dropping the little man off at day care this morning led to a conversation with Cindy, the owner.  Seems there are some new rules for day cares.  Having to do with lunches. We can't have anything perishable left in lunchboxes.  Some kid somewhere drank an ice thing.  So now we can't use them.  I never did anyway.  I just froze the juice box and it worked to keep yogurt cold.  Now day care has to go through all lunches every day and pull perishables, label them and put them in their refrigerator. 
And if that wasn't enough.......now all packed lunches from home must have all four food groups represented.  If something is lacking the day care must supplement and then charge us for what they supplemented. 
Well that is going to be fun.  I almost never use meat.  Once in awhile the little man gets some turkey or ham.  The little woman is almost a vegetarian.  She gets most of her protein from milk products.  Milk products in lunches count as milk products.  Oy. 
We have come up with a work around.  The little woman will have a container of peanut butter in her lunchbox.  She will never eat it, but it will be there and count as a protein.  They can't make the kids eat, so it should work.  And then every few days I can replace the peanut butter.  I was not looking forward to throwing out meat every day she was at day care. 
And I guess we will use this as a stepping stone to start talking about the food pyramid. 

Jason's Tree

So after Dave died, Tanya had asked Doug if she could take the tree we planted in honor of Jason.  Well his answer was vague like usual.  He would have to see.  So Dave was gone a year before Doug sold the house and anytime before he actually signed with a realtor he could have told Tanya to go get the tree.  Instead the tree is still there in all its glory.
I texted her to see what happened and she said "It just didn't work out".  Wait...what?  Sounds like just more control issues and oneupmanships.  Sad that Tanya and the girls can't have the tree, but it is what it is.
I just keep getting impressed by this person who tries to tell everyone what a great person he is. Yeah right.  He may be great to some people, but not his family.

The Vet's Office

Phoebe needed some flea medicine and her toenails clipped.  I almost never seem to have the time and inclination to do it.  So this morning after we dropped off the little woman at Kindergarten, we picked up Mom and took Phoebe to the vet.  Amazing how something so simple can take an hour.  Not the nail clipping, that took five minutes.  Just the waiting to check in, the waiting for the nail clipping and then the waiting to pay.
Anyway the little man met lots of dogs and was so happy.  Two boy boxer puppies just loved him and thought he was one of their litter mates.  Phoebe seemed to enjoy her outing as well.  She was being very social at the vet's office.
Mom enjoyed her outing as well.  She wanted to know why we were going back to the assisted living as we pulled into the parking lot.  Told her I was dropping her at home, that she lives there now.  And she thanked me for watching out for her.
So one more thing off my list of fifty.

Cupcake Day

The littles wanted cupcakes.  So we baked cupcakes. They did all the work except for cleaning up.  And they made a pretty good mess.  We haven't baked since Christmas so it was time to do something.  It's all about making memories and teaching skills.  They had a great time.

OMFG

So go back to the news that Doug had FINALLY decided to put the kids' stuff outside.  Mike and I went up and looked at the pile.  I opened the cedar chest to see what was in it and was happy that Connor's new tonka truck (that he never got to play with) was inside.  Then I had made arrangements for Pat and Mike to pick the stuff up the next day.
And they did and they put everything in the garage.  There was no room for the stuff so it has sat all this time.  Until now.  So the littles and I decided that for now we would put the cedar chest in the living room and leave it as a toy box to collect toys played with in the living room.  But we can't get in it.  Wait....what?  Yeah the chest is locked. And it takes a key to lock it and unlock it.
I texted my brother to ask if he or Mike had locked it when they picked it up.  If they had then he might know where the key is.  Nope, they didn't lock it.  They just loaded it up and unloaded it.  So between the time I looked at it and the time they collected it, someone locked it.  Someone who had the key that had to have been in Dave's house.
The maturity level of some people is astounding and impressive.  I would think at 40 people would be beyond the childish games but I guess not.
My solution will probably be to break the lock if I can't find another key around that will work.  Or I will shatter the chest, but that seems a waste since Papa had redone it for the kids.  I noticed when we were up there looking that someone had already broken part of it so it doesn't sit straight.

A Trip to Harvey's

I always see interesting things when I traipse over to Portland.  It never ceases to amaze me.  My favorite today was the cat in the window.  It was an art gallery of some kind.  And the cat has it's own social media page.
This trip to Harvey's has been planned for awhile.  I bought the tickets in January. I lined the babysitter up back in March.  Every thing is ready and then the babysitter remember that she had a previous engagement.  Oy.  Well Aunt Traci was still in town so we called on her and she was happy to do it.  Then my friend Doug, who was going with me, got food poisoning.  I'm pretty sure I had a better time than he did. Life likes to throw me curveballs and I just roll with it.
I did my usual Max run.  Helped some folks from out of town get their Max tickets.  They were headed to a basketball game.  Nice family.  Three generations travelling to see the ocean for spring break.  Not something I get to do.....spring break for the school district here is rush week at the college and I don't get to take that off.  But their trip reminded me of our trip to California.
Walked around down by Harvey's.  Figured out that if Jodi and I, on my first trip to Harvey's, had stayed on Max a few more stops we would have been at the food carts.  Saw interesting art in art gallery windows.  Everything was closed by the time I was downtown.  Saw the cat and at first wasn't sure it was real.  It was.
And then it was time to go in and see the show.  The headliner was Michael Malone and he had me laughing so hard I was crying.  The opener was mediocre and the feature was funny.  But Mr. Malone was a treat.
Then I caught Max back and took Traci home.  I'm so glad I went even if I went by myself.  That is the crux of it......if I wait for all the stars to align, very rarely will I get to do things.  I had a night out and a break from the littles.  Makes all the difference in the world.  So thanks Traci again for your last night of babysitting this trip down.

Hot Water

And we have hot water.  Hopefully we have nice clean water.  A lot of sediment sure came out of the lines after the new water heater was installed.  Orange out of the cold taps and almost blue out of the hot.  Ran them good and long.  Seems to be gone.  Guess we will know when the littles have their bath.
Aunt Traci came over again so I could finish up some errands.  I'm sure going to miss her when she goes home.  I don't think she really understands how much I have appreciated having her available to babysit.  It has made life so much nicer the past couple of weeks.  She is coming again tomorrow and then she returns home to Yelm.
I can actually tell that I have been making a dent in the garage.  There is more open space.  I'm almost thinking about just bringing in the rest that needs to come in and then straightening up the garage, move the car in and then move stuff that is leaving back out to the garage.  Would make me work harder.  Guess we shall see.

Because I Have To

So the water heater is being replaced tomorrow.  I am extremely thankful that it is just at the going out stage.  I am thankful that we didn't hit the dead and leaking stage.  All my books were still in the garage in boxes.  I can only imagine the loss.
Now that my bookshelf is in the house I have brought the boxes of books in and got most of them put away.  This saves the books and makes space for the guy to work in replacing the water heater.
I have thought about why it is taking so long to settle in besides having to work and eat and sleep.  It's not like moving into a new place.  It is moving into a place that is already filled with stuff.  So stuff has to shift and spaces cleaned and then more shifting.
I see an estate sale in the future.  But for now......stuff is shifting and the water heater is coming.

Bad Sad

Mom had a bad day.  I can't even imagine what it must be like to live in her brain.  She forgot she had moved to the assisted living.  And so she insisted she did not live there.  They had to call me and of course I didn't get the call because I was at work.  I stopped after work and my brother was there.  He had already had plans to stop in on his way to work.  So he had already explained to her that yes she had moved and why.
Most of the time we only see it from our point of view.  But this incident really put it more in perspective.  At times it has to be very scary for her.  And I haven't been answering her question in a way she could get it.  Pat was able to do that.  He said it was just like a light switch being switched when he explained it.
I suspect we are going to be explaining this many many times.  But now I will use the exact sentences that he did and hope they work next time.  Like magic.

Waiting

So mom had a good first week. And then it changed. She is now unhappy and wants to go home. That isn't happening, of course. So now she is getting angry. Fun, fun. I did finally get her tv up and running. Well me and the Comcast technician. I didn't ask for him to come out so I sure hope we didn't get billed.
One day at a time with mom. And I can always leave when she is getting rude.

Rummy

I am tired.  Second day of eight hour shifts on my feet.  My feet are royally complaining.  That's all right though since tomorrow we go back to normal shifting.  I can tell when I am tired at work because I get rummy.  I get mischievous.  And I have a good time.
So today's weirdness was not just one, but two people giving me their numbers to collect their bags and then walking off without them.  The first guy actually left and came back about twenty minutes later.  Good thing we weren't busy at the time.  And the second one needed to go back in the store to complete her transaction.  Guess she thought she was done and she wasn't.
I had a Nathan comment on my name tag and that reminded Brenda about the show "Superstore".  That show has a character who never uses her real name either when helping customers and for the same reason as me.  Makes me wonder who has heard me explain it and then benefited from it. Too funny.
Marti got to join us both days to cover for our lunches.  She had a blast doing it. She didn't realized how much work it is even when it isn't slammed doing backpacks. We enjoyed working with her.

All Over Again

A great sense of deja vu.  Had to go to Comcast today to try and get TV set up for Mom.  That meant changing all the stuff at the house.  So our number changed, I got an old new email address and I still am not done.
Tomorrow I pick up the cable box for her and it is suppose to be easy peasy.  Hoping so because I don't have working phone at the house yet.  Amazing that the internet part was a piece of cake, but the phone is not.
Michael at Comcast was great though.  He made his end simple and quick.  He even had a co-worker distract the kids.

New Car

Not really.  But it sure feels like it.  A guy had posted on a facebook buy/sell page about mobile detailing for cheap.  So I set up an appointment.  Today he and his associate came out.  He told me it would take two hours and it did.  And the car looks superb.  Just like new.  Smells good.  I am so happy.  I have come to the conclusion that I need a detailing at least once a year.  They can do such a better job than I can with the correct equipment to get the job done right.
I love the work and the fact that they came to me.  I didn't have to make arrangements to leave my car somewhere and how I would get me places.  It was perfect. Sure hope this guy is still doing this next year.

Reptiles

We went to the Pacific Northwest Reptile show today.  We went a couple of years ago when Papa bought us tickets.  He was suppose to go with us, but that didn't work out.  Anyway we knew what to expect this time.  So first thing we did was head over to where we could hold the big snake.  Funny snake tried to curl up around the littles and was doing a pretty good job too.  At least the people were there to unwrap him from around them. My girl said it hurt a bit when he was pulling on her.  Other than that she was happy.  And she loved petting all the snakes and the lizards.
We had a good time.  It wasn't so muggy inside the building this time. It wasn't as crowded as last time and we got to hold the big snake.  All in all a good outing.  They were surprised and loved it.

In Charge of Myself

Liz took the afternoon off.  So I was in charge of the warehouse and myself.  She left me a list and then told me if I hit boredom to do that normal boring things.  Cleaning, destroying books, etc.  My co-workers were working today but they were filling other needs.
I never hit boredom.  I had deliveries, receiving, food to receive, bag check to get ready, stanchions and table moving for Monica.  I just kept plugging away and then bam it was time to leave.
Got home and realized later I still had Marti's old warehouse key.  Guess we are stopping at the bookstore tomorrow on the way to the reptile show.