Monday, August 1, 2011

Exhaustion

The boys were amazing getting the u haul loaded and un loaded at the other end. It was a mad dash to get to Longview with enough stuff so we could stay in the new house and start cleaning. The truck had to be returned by 4:00 pm the next day. We loaded until dark the night before then I had everyone up early and finished shoving in what ever would fit just to get it loaded.



Trevor was amazing with the boxes unloading. He would load the dolly with heavy book boxes. Eventually the boxes just went into the garage for convenience, just to get them out of the truck and unloaded quickly. Riley only picked up the light boxes, so I had Riley carry in the frame pieces for the twin beds and put the frames together.


As soon as the truck was unloaded the boys felt their work was done. They disappeared into a corner with the lap top computer to play spor, the only game Riley has on his computer that doesn't need Internet.

I returned the truck without incident. We were all starving since it was almost 3:00 pm and all we had was breakfast cereal before we left the old house that morning. The vote was for Izzy's, a good choice as it has a salad bar for me, and all you can eat for Trevor, and a huge selection so Riley can sample and find something he likes.

I had not been able to bring up anything but twin beds and frames. As a result we were short mattresses. After our early dinner we swung by a mattress store and the boys picked out two more mattresses they liked. It was after 5:00 pm so they wouldn't be able to deliver. As a result we went to the warehouse ourselves. By laying down the back seats in the jeep we were able to get the two mattresses into my car. It was a perfect fit. I swear the furniture people and the car people are in cahoots designing both to accommodate the other.

I had to leave Riley sitting under a shade tree by the warehouse while Trevor and I drove to the new house with the mattresses tied down in the back with the trunk hanging open. The town is not that big so Riley only had to wait 15 minutes in the shade. He opted for that rest opportunity. Trevor and I unloaded the mattresses and left them leaning against the house, while we went back to get Riley.

We then swung by Walmart to get some staples. I didn't have soap or shampoos or some cleaning supplies. We also needed snack food. There is no refrigerator so the boys were instructed not to get anything that involved needing to be kept cold. Fiber One bars and oatmeal packets were on the menu. Riley also picked up yogurt. I figured it would survive a couple days un refrigerated if it didn't get too hot.

We almost forgot our most important purchase. We had to go back into the store and pick up a microwave. Canned soup was a good choice with the mice fighting for residency.

We did all this on Friday. Once we got home and were semi set up for residency and I had scrubbed out most of the kitchen with cleanser then gone back over it with Clorox wipes to make sure it was sanitary, I called Tom.

Tom was at the club. In a big annual weekend golf tournament involving much partying and out of town guests. He asked me to come up. I told him to give me half an hour. I needed to shower and change.

When I arrived at the club, the music was playing. Tom was so happy to finally know we got the house we wanted and are now back in town, he glowed with contentment. The owner of the Title company we used bought us a bottle of wine as congratulations. Tom asked me to dance. It was after 11:30pm before we knew it.

I had a big day the next day of tackling more of the house cleaning. I still had to clean the bathrooms upstairs. Tom had an early tee time. We each headed home, Tom staying at his little apartment next to the club for convenience.

I opened enough boxes to get the beds made and some dishes out before crashing onto the twin bed that had been set up in the master bedroom with the new mattress. It will go to the guest room eventually, once the rest of our furniture arrives. It was an incredible first day. I was amazed at how much I achieved.

Saturday, I spent cleaning, then weeding when I got too disgusted with the yucky mice droppings in the kitchen. I would change chores to keep myself fresh and on task. Which also meant everything took forever to finish. The boys did not help. They played. I took them up to the club to swim in the afternoon. Trevor had an old friend with him.

The boys put on sun block but they still were really sunburned by the time I came back for them. I had told them to swim in t shirts, but neither wanted to wear them. I asked the life guards how the boys behaved. I was told they were a bit enthusiastic at first, but they did listen to the life guards. They had a football confiscated when Trevor ran into another swimmer one too many times. They were playing water basketball when I arrived to get them. Tom had finally noticed them out in the pool. It was time to take Trevor's friend home. His friend had an evening obligation. I was due back at the club for the tournament end banquet.

I only lasted until 9:30 pm. I was careful about how much I drank, one glass of wine and a bailey's coffee for dessert. Tom and I danced to the karaoke. He spun me and dipped me. It was wonderful to have a social life again. But I had been bitten by a spider while gardening and I wanted to take some benidryl for the itching and swelling. I knew it would knock me out when I took it. So with Tom giving me a sad pout look I slipped away. The mini mart at the bottom of our hill was still open. I got some benidryl and antisporin to help with the bites. I was in bed asleep by 10:30 pm.

I had told the boys they could go to the fair on Sunday. Trevor wanted to take his friend. I finished the house in the morning to the point where I felt comfortable having our open house party next weekend to celebrate. My sister from New York said she would drive up and see the house and go to the fair with us. Sunday is demolition derby. She didn't think she had ever been to one before.

I showed her the new house. She said it was her favorite of all the houses we have owned. We laughed as she pointed out that her 900 square foot apartment cost the same amount as our 5000 square foot beauty, location, location, location.

We arrived at the fair grounds. I was running on fumes of energy. The fair only took cash and I had nothing. Tom called in the middle of my dumping my purse out on the grass to see if I had a buried $20 in the bottom. He could tell I was needing a little love. He hopped in the car and drove over from his apartment to share some of his cash golf winnings with me. He is still staying in the apartment since we don't have a TV set up yet, or a big bed for that matter. His effort gave me just the extra energy I needed to get through the rest of the day.

My four year old nephew was enthralled by the derby. The derby had a slow start but the finally was as good as ever. The car he chose though, did not win, which caused him great tears of grief over its demise. He had become very attached to number 711.

I had given Trevor a little money to be shared with his buddy. They were able to do a couple of rides before they came back looking for more. I gave them another $5 to split. They bought fried oreos with it.

My step mom was worried about losing them, but keeping them on a tight cash flow meant they would come back looking for more. I knew they would show up. I even knew they would be late since neither of them had a watch. I didn't rush as we looked at the goats and the cows and the chickens and the rabbits. We enjoyed wandering through the barns. My step mom enjoyed chatting with the 4H people. She said she hadn't been to the fair in years and as a child had participated in many as a 4H member. Being in the barns brought back wonderful memories.

My sister and I ordered gyros at a food stand. I shared mine with Riley. Fair food is the best part of the fair. I had hoped to go through the vendor hall and check out contractors and materials for my plans on the new house, but once we sat down for dinner with our sandwiches, I was done. We stayed almost until the fair closed at 7:00.

I even talked to a goat breeder. If I was ten years younger I think I might try having goats as pets, but I know who will be taking care of them now. She said having two works best. What killed the idea was she said they attract flies so I would need to have a covered pen away from the house. I was hoping I might utilize the basement or under the deck, but that would be a bad idea.

I like the idea of making a separate apartment in the basement anyway. Something similar to the place Tom has been staying, a mother in law suite independent from the house. That will be something to tackle later. Right now I just have to pack up our old house and get it all moved.


The new renters want to move in. We haven't signed any contracts this time. First I want to get out of the house and the house ready.

No comments:

Post a Comment