One Crazy Month

With everything going on with the house, packing and getting ready to move, last month was crazy. Most nights I only slept 4hrs. Staying up late to caulk and paint, getting up early to pack and clean, not to mention working, left me exhausted. Many friends pitched into help, often bringing their kids, or loning husbands, or sacrificing sleep and family time to help me. I am eternally greatful!!!

Even though I had been working all month to get ready to have Mel and Jamie move in and be ready to move out, my final week in PA was a true test of exhaustion and endurance. Thankfully my boss let me take one day off to prepare to move. I needed every second of it and tried to fit in as much as I could, including dinner with the girls, a going away party at Adam and Janelle's (though I am sad that I missed the "peircing party" early that day), my and Jamie's impromtu babysitting job for my sister, cigar smoking on the porch, and hanging out with some Mr Moms. Since my last day of work was on Wednesday, Mel and Jamie moved in Sat and Laura and I were scheduled to head out Tuesday, there was much to do and many to say goodbye to. I tried to make it a point to spend some quality time with those closest to me, but sadly, I found the list long and the days short. Regrettfully, I know there were some I missed. I do apologize if anyone felt slighted, it was not intentional.

I had plans of snapping picts to post of all my pre-move festivities, but rarely remembered my camera. Here are a few that I actually had some for thought!

Girls night out

Me with Emma, Mya, Noelle and Kayla at Panera

For those of you reading in PA- I miss you already!!!

The House

While these picts don't do any justice, there was a lot of blood sweat and tears shed by a handful of people to get it ready for me to leave. (I know that a lot of you have never seen the house so you really have nothing to compare it too). Most of the upstairs got at least a new coat of paint, with the bathroom getting the brunt of the work. I'm only going post picts of the upstairs now (need to start unpacking) but will post more later.

BATHROOM

Before and After

BEDROOMS

Technically there are three bedrooms in the house, although you have to walk through one to get to the bathroom. I have been sleeping in the spare room since I arrived in PA back in April. It's cooler and quieter. The front bedroom got a new ceiling, crown molding, new lighting, and lots of new paint, while the spare room only got paint.

Before

After

Spare Room (in the midst of packing, with some help from Sid)

The "office" (the third bedroom on the way to the bathroom while the bathroom remodel was in full swing)

Then

Now

We made it!

Just a quick note to let you all know that Laura and I made it safely to the West Coast, arriving around 730 (cali time) this evening. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Picts and updates from the trip, not to mention the last crazy month to come soon!

Employment-

It's official- I have a job!!!! I called Jan, the director of critical care at San Antonio on Tuesday morning (before she would answer, so I could state my case for coming back with out being immediately shot down). They aren't using travelers right now, but I was hoping that if I called and talked to them myself they would make an exception.

Jan called me back this afternoon, right as I was getting ready to leave for work. I saw the number on the phone and almost didn't answer, fearing rejection. Reluctantly I answered, bracing myself for the worst.

Jan explained that staffing was much better then it had been, they had just hired a ton of new people and had done away with travelers. She also said that they really wanted me to come back and that she had been talking about me over the weekend, commenting about what a coincidence it was that I called (I think not). But because they weren't really looking for anyone, she had to get it approved by the higher ups- that's why it took a few days for her to call back.

She must have reasoned well, because they decided to make an exception to their "no traveler" rule! What a relief! I have a job!!!!!

House Update

This past week there has been a flurry of activity; random people coming at random times to do random things at random places in the house. Packing has come to a complete stand-still but I'm beginning to see signs that all the construction madness does have an end!

This is what has changed since last week:
-The drywall is half "finished" and the crown molding is up in the front bedroom
-The drop ceiling in the bathroom is completely gone, along with the fluorescent light
-The sink vanity is gone (by gone I mean in the office)
-The ledge is up around the ceiling and 2x4s are in place to hang drywall today (in the bathroom)
-The shower walls have been cut back and the trim is on

I am excited about the progress, even inspite of the tools, mess, things out of place (the new bathroom sink is in the living room in front of the fireplace!) and my inability to pack. Those who have lived the bathroom saga with me will certainly understand the excitement. To those who haven't- well lets just say it's been a 4year project that at one point involved me making a shower out of shower liners and a staple gun:-) I think I may have an unveiling party for the bathroom when it's all said and done!

I do have picts chronicling the process but have no way to easily upload them right now.... soon I promise!

Truck stop coffee

At work tonight we were out of coffee, so on the verge of a caffeine headache, I went to the vending machine to get some. Vending machine coffee isn't my favorite by any means but while it was "brewing" the smell brought back a memory (don't that say that smell is the sense that is most likely to trigger memories?).

Anyway while I was standing there wearily, anxiously awaiting the piping hot paper cup of instant energy, I was transported (in my mind), to a random gas station we must have stopped in on the cross country trip. For some reason no coffee tastes as good to me as the coffee you get on a road trip regardless of whether it's from a gas station, truck stop or a continental breakfast. It's especially tasty after hours of sitting in car when your back hurts and your brain is a little fuzzy when you know that that little cup of Java is the magic potion that will get you a couple hours closer to your destination.

Something in me was instantly excited to jump in the car next month and head west, reminding me of how much I love road trips to Cali. It's not just the coffee or sleeping in hotels (I love sleeping in hotels- seriously. By this stage in the game I can give you a list of "must stays" and "don't even think about stayings") but also the anticipation of the unexpected things to come. While I'm going to my parents house, where everything is very familiar, each time I return to So. Cal. it's like going somewhere for the first time- again. I expect this time will be the same.

Needless to say my vending machine coffee hit the spot!

Rare Finds

While packing up some stuff today I came across a number of unexpected and entertaining things.

-My very first drivers license
-My high school diploma
-My high school senior pictures
-A $20 I left in the wallet I used over three years ago (this one brought the biggest smile to my face!)

I'm sure there is plenty more "memorabilia" waiting to be found!