BOUGHT MY BOOKS!

I guess I am an official student now - I bought my books for school. But darn it all, I am still trying to decide what to wear on the first day of class.

Last Wednesday, Kimmy went with ME to buy my books! She also was with me when I dropped in to the NTOS - Non-Traditional/Older Student Assoc. meeting. We both learned some interesting tidbits. Kimmy thought the information on where there are beds on campus was very helpful - as she may use them from time to time to crash from her nocturnal habits.

MOVERS MAKE ME....

Loading the Van:

I wish I had pictures to share how the movers moved. I don't think SLOW can be pictured. I had to leave several times while this experience was occuring. I happened to be up (and I mean vertically UP) the street visiting my neighbor, watching the movers pack the truck. Out they came with my computer desk. I am not sure at what geometrical point they hit walking on the downslope of our driveway - but in full view I saw the desk break into many pieces while a variety of exclamations spewed from their mouths. It was a good thing I wasn't fond of that piece any longer!

Unloading the Van:

I received a report from my sister-in-law in Texas about my 2 sister-in-laws in Utah that took charge and distributed my boxes to the nethermost regions of my new abode AND unboxed many other boxes to help make our new home functional - and this I am most grateful for. I owe them BIG TIME!!! And from that report, it was a good thing I wasn't around when the movers were unloading.

Questions - Can anything good come from using a moving company? Will I ever again live in the same house longer than 7 years (but more like 2 years)? Will I ever get to the point that I can leave everything behind (like you suggested Pat!)? How many more moves do I have left?

So how...what do Movers make me...after 17 moves..

GRATEFUL that it is their backs not mine, despite their speed or personal natures!!!

MOVING MAKES ME....

FRAZZLED [1. verb]

frayed at the edges; exhausted either physically or emotionally

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!

Today is my oldest daughter, Ann-Marie's, birthday. I won't say how old she is other than she is a year younger than we have been married! She is an incredible young woman, and I am so glad she chose our family even though we have plenty of quirks and dys-functionality (of course it ALL comes from her Dad's side of the family!!! - OK, J/K! I take half the blame.)

When I started having babies, I never worried about myself or my babies. Maybe that is a blessing, because when I was delivering Ann-Marie, the doctor told my mother that they were very concerned for both me and 'the baby' due to the loss of so much blood. I was so clueless back then. When Ann-Marie was born she was so pink and pretty. I remember her eyes, so wide and ready to meet the world, checking everything out! She hasn't changed much and that is one of the things I love about her.

This is Ann-Marie when she was 17 years old!

HOW-TO'S FOR COMPANY WITH TASMANIAN PERSONALITY TYPES

Kimmy came to visit this last weekend. One of her unique characteristics as a child was similar to a Tasmanian devil, she would leave a whirlwind of stuff in her wake. Her visit with 3 other college friends did not dispel that flaw – did I say flaw? Don’t get me wrong – Kimmy and her friends were adorable, with personality plus – BUT – apparently I and the other mothers did not teach our daughters “Company’ etiquette.

So without further ado, let me share a few rules that I deem appropriate “Company” etiquette.

Offer and be willing to help with meal preparation or to clean up (as extra people do create more chaos/clutter). Most often the host doesn’t need your help, or may have everything under control, but the fact that you offered scores brownie points. And if you are a marriage possibility – this really makes you look good! DO NOT take a seat on the couch, waiting for someone to serve you.

Make your bed after you are ready for the day. DO NOT straighten it up when you go to bed at 1 AM, and call it good.

Pick up your clothes. Put them away in your bag or hang them up. DO NOT leave your personal unmentionables stuffed behind bathroom doors or hanging out on the floor.

Clean up after yourself in the bathroom. DO NOT leave your towels on the floor; or your curling irons turned ON. And it is recommended that you invest in a magnet wand to pick up all bobby pins that have fallen on the floors.

When leaving, gather towels and linens that you have used and ASK where you should put them. Fold blankets, stack pillows or any other bath & bedding you are no longer using. Your host may tell you where to put them all, or they may say, “Don’t bother, I will take care of it all.” DO NOT leave without picking up.

Be sure to write a thank you note, or leave a small gift for their hospitality. Show your gratitude.

And the most important thing to remember – leave the space you occupied cleaner than when you came. You might want to visit again!

AND THE PURGING BEGINS

We have begun to pack. This is the computer room stack.

And then what is left of this room to pack

Looks nice and neat. But from here on out it is going to get UGLY!!!

GUESS WHERE WE ARE GOING?

Many have asked what is going on in our lives, so I guess I should share a few things, as some major adventures are about to take place! (Sorry if you read my email already.)

We are moving to Utah next month. I (Ann) will be going back to college after 33 years!!! Either my grades were sufficient or my ecclesiastic leaders gave me a glowing report that I needed to return to school. Either way I am excited to head back to BYU. There is a goal and a plan to graduate. We hope it is sooner than later. The adventure begins Sept. 2nd!!! How it will end up - don't know. But school it is - for now.

And Von - yep, he is coming. He has his own adventures planned out too, but that is his to share.

Sunday during Gospel Doctrine class, our teacher was talking about the mission she and her husband served. She said that she knew it was the right thing to do, but she cried the whole way to the MTC, feeling great sadness at leaving all she loved behind. But then when they left the mission field, she cried all the way home to CA, missing all the dear friends and members they had made in Chicago. After she shared that, my eyes welled up with tears, for that is how both Von and I have felt about leaving Carlsbad this time around. We have made so many wonderful neighbors and friends, and we have such a great ward which we will truly miss.

So these are the things I have to be concerned with now:

• I have to get used to the cold weather and buy a COAT. I have thought about the possibility of only going to school fall, spring and summer, then be a snowbird during winter semester!!! (JK -but it is something to consider!).
• I may take up the sport of snowboarding, they say it is easier on the knees than skiing.
• I will consider purchasing a "Nuke" light to ward off the gloomy winter days or I will create a happy, sunny, light filled cave for myself.
• I also am considering forming a club of other "seasoned" women on campus, where we will set up a system of rating dating potentials for our unmarried children. Von and I have been discussing what would be the best approach for this, like the numbering system they do for diving. Suggestions are welcomed.
• What do I wear for the first day of class? What impression do I want to make? Oh, that's right, I don't have to worry about that anymore!!!!! Maybe that will keep me more focused - ya' think? All I have to worry about is whether I have food caught in my braces and that I don't have classes waaaay down in the Richards PE Bldg.
• Maybe I will be lucky like I was 35 years ago - and lose 10 lbs. the first 3 weeks of class from all the walking...hmmm...good thought.
• This time around - I am getting a rolling backpack - I am going to be a nerd - what can I say - I am over 50!

Well, it has been lovely sharing what will be happening to us soon. It is time to move and purge again. While on our adventure I am hoping to have some worthy posts for my blog.

So - wish us well, envy the fact that we get to drink GOOD water, not Carlsbad's sewer water.

We will miss our hometown of Carlsbad, it is our home, but this adventure will last only a season, and who knows what will happen then?