I hate moving!!!

So for those of you that haven't heard, I moved again. I have been in the new place for a couple of weeks. I'm really hoping that this time I am able to stay put for awhile. Christina (my roommate) got engaged in May and moved to Idaho to be with her future husband. So, once again I had to move. I was pretty lucky because I didn't have to spend to much time looking for a new place. Kelly still hadn't found a renter for her house in Stockton so I moved back into that house (this would be the third time I moved into this house). This time I am living by myself in the house. I love having a house with a backyard. I'm glad that Thomas and Noelle will be able to come over and play in the backyard. They will have their own rooms and feel more like home. At first I was pretty nervous about it but have gotten used to it now. The first week I slept on the couch but I have gradually gotten better about sleeping in my bed. Before I moved in I painted and put a cute border up. I think it came out really nice and it's perfect for me.


I really hate moving! I always think I'm ready but it never fails that there is a least to car loads of stuff that still needs to get done. It's the small things that you just throw in a garbage bag at the last minute that really stinks. For two weeks I have had garbage bags and boxes in the garage that I have tried to forget about but every time I pull the car into the garage I'm faced with them. Earlier this week I made a long list of all the things I needed to get done before I was going to really feel "at home". This included cleaning the garage, organizing the office, finding somewhere to put all my cookbooks, go grocery shopping, mowing the lawns, washing the windows and putting all my clothes in the closet.
Kelly just happened to have the weekend off which meant I wasn't going to be watching the kids. I had the whole weekend to myself and thought it would be the best time to try and get my list accomplished. I don't know how smart of an idea this was because the air quality is really really bad. For those of you that don't live in California, we have had numerous fires this week. I think at last count I think they said there was 1000 fires in Northern California. Smoke is everywhere and there have been all kinds of warnings that we should be staying inside. But the work has to get done right?? So, Friday after work I started with the garage. After three hours the garage was finally clean. All of the boxes were emptied and the garbage bags were thrown away. Next problem... everything that needed to be put away from the garage was in the living room. That was Saturday's project.



After the garage got cleaned out I tried relax and find something on TV but couldn't find anything. So, on with the next project. The office was next. That was a tedious job but I couldn't stand going in there to play around on the computer or pay my bills (which I couldn't put off any longer). I found a perfect place for the cookbooks so that was another thing to check off the list. So, after a couple of hours it was done.

Saturday morning the work started again. My car got really dirty from the move and I hadn't washed it in awhile so I thought I should get that done. I spend so much time in my car for work that having a dirty one does not make the ride enjoyable.

I needed to mow the lawns but there was one problem. I didn't own a lawn mower. So after jumping on CraigsList and making a phone call I was on my way to purchase my first lawn mower. I think I got a pretty good deal. $150.00 for a self propelled Craftsman mower.


By that time though it was already blazing hot so I decided that would have to wait until Sunday morning. So, off to the grocery store I went. I hate to go grocery shopping, mainly because I never know what to buy. Cooking for yourself gets pretty boring. I think I eat more cereal for dinner than anything else. I thought I would venture out today. I bought everything to make Bow Tie pasta with Alfredo sauce and grilled chicken. The rest of Saturday was pretty boring. I put everything away that was brought in from the garage, put the groceries away, made dinner and found sometime to watch a lame movie (Definitely Maybe). But hay at least I found some time to relax.
Another day brings another chore. This morning I thought I would start with the mowing the lawns and sweeping up the leaves. Now this was going to be one of the biggest chores. In the backyard there are two large trees that make the biggest mess.



So leaves end up everywhere!!! The lawns got mowed,the bushes got trimmed, the leaves got raked and the sidewalks got swept.


I was pretty tired after all that so I decided the chores were done for the weekend. I am going to relax the rest of what is left of the weekend. Indy got her second wind while I was putting all of the lawn equipment away so I took a short video of her playing with a ball that is twice her size.

Good Bye... Kelsey and Stina!!!

I have been dreading today for the past month. I knew the day was coming and I tried to put it out of my mind. I had been living with "Stina" and Kelsey since October and it truely has been a great experience. They were wonderful roommates and we had a blast together. I was really lucky that Stina needed a roommate at the same time I needed somewhere to live!

I am so bad at good bye's and didn't really have it in me to say everything that I was thinking and feeling so I thought I would write a little note to them....

Stina and Kelsey,
What a blessing in my life the both of you have been!!! Stina, I think I was the lucky one when you would go to school in the evenings and Kelsey and I would have time to hang out.

Kelsey, I loved the time that we had to hang out. I loved playing the Sims, Carnival, Super Mario Brothers, Monopoly and all the other games with you. No one ever wants to play boardgames with me and you always up for a good game! Now that your gone I think my myspace will never get changed. I loved the times that we had to just sit and talk. You are a great girl and you were a tremendous help with Thomas and Noelle. Sometimes I would jealous because Thomas would run in the house yelling for you (I will never forget "Where Kelsey") or he would call and ask to talk to you. You guys had a great relationship and it was fun to see it grow. Thomas and Noelle both love you so much! If you ever get a chance you are going to be a wonderful big sister!!!! You are so special and you will be missed. I know that you are going to do really well in Idaho and before long it will feel like home!! We will have to set up a date on the webcam for you and Thomas to talk, I know he will love that.

Stina, You have been such a wonderful and supportive friend. I'm so lucky that you needed a roommate at the same time that I did. We had such a wonderful time together. I will miss our late night trips to the DQ or the grocery store to get cake and ice cream in our PJ's. I also enjoyed our talks that would last to the early morning hours. You have been such a supportive friend that never judges or tells me that I am totally crazy. Together we could write a best selling book with all of our crazy stories from work!! Thank you for all of your help with Thomas and Noelle. They both loved you. I don't know why Noelle always wanted to snuggle with you but not me..... You have gone through a lot the last couple of years and have managed to accomplish so much. You went to school full time, worked full time, was a full time Mom and held a calling at church. Congratulations on your Graduation!!!! You are an amazing person and you have so much more to accomplish. I know good things are coming your way!!! Thank You again for being the example that I needed and always having a smile on your face!!! You are a true friend and you are really going to be missed!!!!

I know this move has been difficult for both of you to deal with and there are a lot of things that both of you are scared about but you both a very strong and you will be just fine!!! You have both accomplished so much and Matt and his family are so lucky to have you in their lives.

Matt.... you are a very lucky man to have both Stina and Kelsey in your life and I hope you take good care of them!!!! Kelsey, good luck to you in 7th grade and Stina good luck with the job hunt.

I love you both!!!

Introduction

I thought I would get with the times and start a blog. I'm hoping this will be a better way to keep in contact with family and friends that I don't get to talk to or see often. I haven't been very good at keeping up with my e-mails lately and sometimes I feel like I am telling the same story over and over. Hopefully people will check in with the blog often and hopefully I will be better at updating it than I am with my e-mails.


I don't really know how to use this so it's going to be a real learning experience. I'm also hoping that I will motivate my friends and family that aren't doing so well at keeping in contact often to also start a blog. If I can do it so can you!!!


Thanks for viewing and reading my blog and check back often for updates!