So Long, Farewell

It's our last night at the Arlington house.  Tomorrow the truck comes to load up the beds, drawer-less dressers, piano, washer/dryer, dining room table and chairs, 2 sofas, 2 rockers, and a coffee table.  Otherwise, there might be 6-10 boxes of "stuff" left to move.  You know, the last 5% of stuff that you can't put in its place because its place is at the other house.  It's a miracle.

You can pray that the moving helpers are able to load those big furniture items quickly.  We're losing most of our help by 12noon tomorrow.  My hope is that they can load, move and unload by 1pm.  It's possible!  There's not much here, really, and there are 4 or 5 of them. 

Plus it's a crazy-busy day with swim practice, the littles' last swim lesson, and a meet at 5.  The last meet ran till 11.  I'm hoping this one will be more efficient.

But for now, it's time for a little Arrested Development with the hubby.  G'night, errybody!

Playing Secretary

Right now Brian and I are working together, tag-teaming the utility companies to disconnect services to our current address and establish services at our new one.  This is fun.  We're both on the phone, multi-tasking and trying to have a conversation over the hold music.

Gas? check.  Electric? check.  Water? check.  Trash pick up? check.  Cable? cancelled for good.  Change of address? check.

Wait--look!  It's 5:01.  Quittin' time. 

Who am I kidding?  This job never ends.  But it IS much more fun doing the work with Brian than by myself.

Mercies Anew

My first thought this morning:  Praise the Lord it's not yesterday.

Praise the Lord for stormy weather that cancelled swim practice this morning.  Brian took the kids to get donuts and I made coffee (first time in over a week) and took a shower (yes, in the morning).  We can chill to cool coffeehouse music and pack for the lake (we leave Friday) and for the move (the big truck comes Thursday).

Snappy and Apathy have gone.  Laughter has returned. 

God is good.  All the time.  I'm so thankful his mercies are new every morning and that he doesn't wait for me to get my act together to save me from myself.

Wouldn't You Like To Get Away?

My kids are at the pool with Brian so I could run to the grocery store for dinner.  I tried to get sushi for a treat for me, but there were no smaller packages.  So I bought Raisin Nut Bran instead, rushed home, and am watching Cheers on Netflix until the others get back while I enjoy a bowl before dinner.

Brian and I have agreed that this is the worst day ever.  Maybe really ever.  For both of us.  Prayers are appreciated.  This is going to be a crazy week.

Apologies and Thanks

I will have the MBR packed this afternoon if it kills me.  That means it has to be done before 4:30, because there's a swim meet we need to leave for then.

And can I just apologize to anyone who has been to my house in the last year or so for the level of filth I have become numb to and unaware of?  I knew I wasn't getting to the deep cleaning, but I had no idea I'd let it get this bad.  So I'm sorry.  Really, really sorry.  And thank you for not reporting me to the health dept.

Helpful and Convenient

Ever lived far away from family but been so so so so thankful to be able to keep up via FB, blogs, and Skype?

Ever wondered what happened to old so-and-so from high school, googled her name, and found out she lives in your town now?  You touch base for fun and now you're best friends? (no, me either; but it could happen.)

Ever been overwhelmingly grateful to be able to keep up on FB with all the people you're blessed to know for just one or two years in person?

Ever realized that without the internet, all those goodbyes in May would really be so-long-for-goods, at least till heaven.

Ever wondered what it was like for Ma to leave her family in the Big Woods, not knowing if she'd ever see or hear from them again, and been grateful it's not that way for us?

Ever thought of how much paper is being saved because we blog online vs. writing in journals?


Ever considered how many hand-written letters, envelopes, and stamps it would take to replace one day's emails?

Ever been repeatedly amazed that there are always two sides to the same coin?

False Community

Ever wanted to tell a story about what you were up to lately to a friend who reads your blog?  And you realize she already knows what you're going to say because you published it a few days ago?

Ever felt like you know someone when you don't really know them in person?  Like you follow them on FB so you know what's going on but don't ask in person so that you don't seem like a stalker?  Or seem like even more than just an aquaintance?

Ever realized you haven't had a real conversation with a real live friend in way too long because you can keep up with them online?  Or that a friend--a real friend whom you love--is moving but it's not going to affect your relationship much because it's mostly over the computer anyway?

Ever realize but not care that you're spending too much time on the computer when there are other much more needed things to be done around the house? or with people in the house?


Ever thought people think they know YOU because they read your blog?  That they think everything is honky-dory because you don't publish all the junk (edited for Mrs. Abernathy) that's going on in your mind and life?

Ever wish people would update their blog so that you'll know what's going on with them and you're tired of waiting for an update?  But not tired enough to call them because you don't have their number since you haven't actually spoken since high school?

Ever considered that blogging and following blogs are the new soap opera for at-home moms who need an escape from their small world often filled with small people?

Ever realized how ironically lonely it is to be a part of such a large and actively involved group of people?