The house is so bare

Cory has dismantled just about everything and it looks like nobody lives here...picture me with a sad pouty face...the truck is here at 8:30 and everyone who is helping will be here at 9:00am, we have a ton of people coming to help and that alone makes me cry...people are so nice, so willing to break their backs and spend a hot Saturday morning putting boxes and stuff on a truck. I am so blest.
We had a minor snag with the house in PA, we can't get possession until the 28th instead of the 25th. So the girls will have to start school from a hotel room. But in the scheme of things I will not complain...I will leave that till when the freezing rain comes and lays a thick sheet of ice over my house and car. That also means my computer will be down longer than originally thought.
If I don't have the computer up and running right away I will use someone else's computer to give everyone an update.
The computer is gone in the morning so wish me luck with the drive...Cory, myself and the dog...I hope we all survive.
Love you all and know that I think of you all and our fun times and your kindness will sustain me until I return.
One L

Boxes here and boxes there

Boxes boxes everywhere. We are packing! I am very surprised how much stuff we still have after cleaning house and filling a storage unit. The junk a person can aquire is mind boggling. The house is starting to look bare, like I am really moving.
Today my friends from church threw me a going away party and I was so touched by how many people showed up to say good luck and see ya in four years. I have a great ward here in Gilbert and know I will never find that quantiy of really great people anywhere. I realized I have loved theses people for over 10 years and watched some of them grow from young teenagers to amazing parents with their own babies to smoosh...I DON'T WANT TO GO!!!!
I transgress...I am going and I will see all my friends everytime we come back to the valley to visit.
The computer will be dismantled on Saturday morning just before it gets put on the truck so I will post again just before we head out.
Later dudes

10 on 10

There is a 12 of 12 photo challenge out there started by S. Kueter and I am too much of a loser to ever remember what day it is let alone take 12 pictures that represent my day. So I have come up with 10 on 10. Ten things you are grateful for on the tenth of the month.
1. I am grateful for Mexican food...yummy
2. I am grateful for new papers
3. I am grateful for In and Out Burger
4. I am grateful for my 20 year old son finding the courage to live on his own.
5. I am grateful for my daughters that bring joy and sunshine into my life.
6. I am grateful for Christopher and his long hair.
7. I am grateful for a husband that loves his family more than anything in this world.
8. I am grateful for Amy giving me a new picture for my blog, roses are not my thing.
9. I am grateful for all the wonderful friends that bless my life everyday.
10.I am grateful for my faith and the peace I enjoy because of it.
One L

Wow time is flying by...

I cannot believe we are leaving a week from Friday. It has always seemed so far away and now it is right around the corner. I won't be able to update my blog while we are travelling and then once we get there I will have to wait until we have the computer set up and have cable up and running.
The girls are so excited about the new house and I promised them a swing set to put up in the back yard. I really want a swing for the front porch too. Their school is close and so it church and there is a hugh park with a pool and a castle...a little girls dream.
I haven't worked at the store since last Wednesday and I have missed it more than I could have imagined, I miss the people and my coworker/friends I get to see before and durning my shifts. I think I just might have to hang at the store a few days next week, I have a few projects I need to get done before I go.
One L

I have a Pittsburgh address

Yes it is true...we found a house put in an offer and they accepted it. I don't think I could be happier... I really love this house. So I guess since this house is sold and we have a house in Pittsburgh I really am moving this month. They had a going away party for me at Devine Memories, and we laughed so hard... I will never think about "Dolly Parton, just visiting" without remembering all the funny stories. Later in the night we all had a good cry...it was theraputic for all of us. Crying is a good stress reliever and crying with friends is a bonding experience. Let's just say we are all well bonded. It was so fun spending time with people who are real and have flaws and you just love them to pieces anyway. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life who make each day a pleasure...I will miss all of you.
One L

Cross Everything

Well we accepted the offer and if all goes well will no longer own our home in Gilbert as of the 29th of August. Cory left this morning to look at houses in Pittsburgh and maybe even buy a house if all goes well. Everyone seems shocked that I would leave that decision to him but it is for only four years and who cares what the house is like as long as it is in a safe neighborhood and the schools are great.
One L

Keep your fingers crossed

This is a picture of the girls on the merry go round at Disney Land. I thought this an appropriate picture because we have felt like our lives have been on a very fast Merry go Round and we want OFF!!!

Finally we received an offer we can accept on the house...they are getting a killer deal but it is worth it to us even if it is just to not have to stress about it anymore. We will look at the offer in the morning and I will update if all goes well.

We have a date when we will be heading out to PA. It is the 20th of August. I am so glad I will be able to spend my 40 something th birthday with my sister, my family and my friends. I didn't want the get together on the 3rd to be the last time we get together before I go. We are renting a truck and Cory is driving and we might be following him in the Tuscon, or me and the girls will fly and he will tow the car. Anyone free to help load a truck? There will be Texas Sheet Cake in it for any and all who can spare a few minutes.

I will post the recipe for the "famous" cake and I want promises that it will be made and you will think of me...no promise...no recipe.

I also promise when we are in Pittsburgh to update my blog at least every other day...I know I get perturbed when my friends don't update their blogs for weeks!

One L

More than Meets the Eye

I like to think we are like this iceburg...what you see is only a hint of what lies beneath. I have some really deep friends and family.
I stress over what not to say here on my blog, not speaking to anyone in particular gives one a certain amount of freedom to just say whatever is on your mind. I have to be careful...thank goodness for the backspace key!
Update on the house, we have had people come through and see the house everyday this week. Three on Monday 2 on Tuesday and just one today. If this pattern holds we will have a day off tomorrow.
Ok don't anyone tell my husband but dang it was hot today! Not that I am complaining about the heat because I would take the heat over the humidity and snow and ice any day of the week. I had to drive my husbands car for about 2 miles (it has no air conditioning) and I don't know how he takes this piece of sh#@ to work everyday and home again in the heat. It was just plain awful. I think I understand his ardent desire to move out of state...it is that dang car. If I had just figured this out a year ago I would have insisted we get a car with air in it. Maybe then he would have chosen a Dental school closer to AZ. Bummer.
One L

Clean Kitchen

Well, we had our first Open House this past Saturday and no one came...not one single soul. I went to bed and cried for a couple of hours, but then I decided to look on the bright side...my house is spotless. My family is healthy and I am blest with so many wonderful friends and family. We dropped our asking price 11,000.00 because we need to sell it NOW! I hope this house takes as good care of another family like it has us. I know someone will fall in love with it if they just come and see it for crying out loud.
Speaking of the bright side, I love my new kitchen table, when you add the leaf it seats six no problem. I hope you can see the picture as it is my first time posting one, thanks Amy for the quick lesson. On the right in the picture you can see the new computer hutch we got at IKEA and let me say when they say some assembly required they mean it is like a puzzle and good luck putting it all together. Cory is a handy man and had all the right tools but dang it took him forever to put that desk together. Pray that we all survive this process and that someone comes and sees the house. Thank you my friends I love you all.
One L

What a Fun Day

I was shoved from my happy sleep state into the world of the living at around 5:00 am by our soon to be de-barked dog (just kidding), but the day turned out to be a fun one despite it's beginnings.
We met friends at C. Cheese for mediocre pizza and 240 tokens later we had a plastic ring, a squishy frog, a necklace and some smarties. Just watching the girls having so much fun does wonders for the mother's soul.
Swimming at a friends house...ok the kids and Cory went swimming while I drooled on her couch. Remember I was up before 5:00 am, I needed a snap (short nap).
Dinner...Buca di Beppo...let me just say one word...garlic, ok two words...yummy garlic.
Then to Devine Memories for a fun class taught by the Devine Ms M herself. Let me just say how impressed I am...she is an amazing, patient teacher who just goes with the flow. When I am teaching a class and something goes wrong or I don' t have what I need...I simply have a breakdown and feel like I cannot continue. The metal that gets framed was giving us a hard time and she just smiles and makes it work...class under pressure. Now that is an attribute to aspire to attain.
Home now and ready for bed...almost ready.
One L

Quick update re:Xray and EKG

We got the results of Dene's EKG and all looks normal...whew! let me tell you I was sweating that one. My foot on the other hand needs more attention. They saw a spur on the bone and I have to go see a pediatrist...they are not sure if the trauma of the box landing on it created the spur or my walking funny after I hurt it caused the spur. Oh well, over all the news was good. No cast for me and Dene' s heart is fine.
One L

Hump Day

Isn't that what they call Wednesday? Because after working till 8:30 I am too tired for anything else. I love Wednesdays because that means only one more day till Friday. Cory doesn't have to work on Fridays he just goes in for some overtime...that means he is home by 10:00am just when the rest of us are ready to rock and roll.
I know it has only been a week and a half but no offers on the house yet...I am trying not to freak out...one more week and then I will start to freak out. We might have to rent in Pittsburgh at first...no biggy. Then we will have more time to find the perfect house and we won't be so rushed.
I just hate the thought of the girls having to switch schools twice in the same year...and it kindergarten for Dene.
Cory is very excited to quit work...he says he works with the cesspool of humanity, and can't wait to get out of there. For example, one lady was having an affair with a 19 year at work and got pregnant with his child and left her husband and moved in with this teenager and proceeded to step out on him with another guy she works with. I am so glad I never have to deal with that kind of drama where I work...mostly it is just excitment over opening boxes and the smell of new books.
One L

Another day another Ultram

That is the name of the anti inflammitories the Dr. gave me but they have a narcotic in them and when I take them I am what you might say...stoned. I am supposed to take one in the morning and one at night but I cannot function... or drive under the influence so I only take it at night. It is helping my foot, and the swelling is pretty much gone, I just hate feeling loopy.
I worked last night and it was supposed to be a small group so I said I could work it alone...yikes what was I thinking. My foot was huge by the time I went to bed. What a nice group of ladies...we did have a blast. I will miss working the late night crops and the friends I have made, who would have thought there are so many super cool and fun people in the world?
I had a thought... we could charge 40.00 once a month for the crop and that would pay for really nice food and my flight to come and work it...you never know?
One L

Now we sit and wait

I thought it was rough trying to get the house ready but this waiting for someone to buy it is going to be the end of me. We just got the sign on our lawn tonight and it has only been on the market for 5 days and already I am beginning to sweat.
No one has ever accused me of being patient and I don't pray for patience any more because the Lord just gives me opportunities to attain it. I want patience and I want it NOW!!!
I will give it another week and then I will sweat.
The girls are driving me crazy, all their friends are in Utah for a couple of weeks and they are not enthused with the idea of spending the day with mom...Just a few short months ago they would have loved to spend the day with me.
I finally went to the Dr about my foot, he gave me some pills that are supposed to help with the swelling but have a narcotic in it too...X rays tomorrow, after Dene has her EKG. I am sure Dene will be fine and so will my foot.
I'll let you all know.
One L

Happy 4th of July

Life is funny, as of Monday morning we were celebrating Independence Day with just our little family. Then we received 4 invitations to BBQ and watch fireworks by Monday at 1:00pm. We were kinda committed to staying close to home because others were counting on it. Not that we have any illegal fireworks or anything of that nature...cause that would be wrong. So we could only accept 2 invites and we are going to be sooo full. The girls are such social butterflies they are happy to be anywhere where there are other fun nice children.
On a personal note I am proud to have an American husband who loves his Country and two American daughters who are being raised in an amazing country that gives them the opportunity and freedom to be anything they set their minds to being. Both my sons have decided to become American citizens and that makes me very proud. So the question remains will I become an American citizen? Will I have to give up saying sorry with an "O"? Will I have to stop saying "pardon me"? Will I have to start watching baseball on TV (instead of hockey)? Stay tuned.
One L

Found a cute house in PA

I don't know if this will work but I wanted to try anyway, here is the web address for a house we really like http://wpn.mlxchange.com/EmailView.asp?r=1259423839&s=WPN&t=WPN. I hope everyone can see all the different pictures. I love the yard, there is room for the trampoline and a new swingset.
One L

It is done

Our real estate agents are coming tomorrow and they are taking pictures and the house will be officially for sale. What ever changes we were going to do are either done or we decided it wasn't that important after all. What a load off this is for me, right now I don't care if any one buys the house...OK that is a lie what I meant to say is I don't care if anyone comes and sees the house or not but it is clean and all the projects are done. Well almost, we are waiting for the guy to install the RV gate but that should be in the morning. I miss having a regular life, taking the girls to the park or to McDonalds. They have been farmed out almost everyday, thank goodness they are well liked and behaved like little angles or no one would have invited them back. I miss cooking dinner and just watching a movie with the kids.
Phase 2 has now begun, that means as soon as the house has an offer we have accepted Cory is back on a plane to Pittsburgh to look at 10 more houses and make our final decision. Then we get to pack, but I don't mind packing as long as it doesn't involve a paintbrush or laminate flooring I can deal.
I have to get Amy to teach me how to post pictures and then I can have some pictures to go with the words...and sometimes there are alot of words.

Trying to be a morning person

Ok, after reading some other blogs I have been trying to get up earlier and get things done in the wee hours. I don't know how you guys do it...it is killing me. I simply cannot function on any human level! I don't like my family or myself for that matter, I am at a loss how becoming a morning person will ever happen for me.
Cory just read my title over my shoulder and laughed and said "trying to be a morning person, you? never going to happen".
I hope somewhere, if someone is keeping score, that I get points for trying even if I fail. Don't get me wrong I haven't given up...yet. I will give it another month.
One L

Almost Done

I cannot believe I see the light at the end of the tunnel. The house is just about ready to be shown. The concrete gets poured on Friday and then the gate goes in, and the final out door touch up is the stone. So we will go from a truly "desert" landscape (dirt and weeds) to a stone and desert plant landscape.
I have decided I am going to have an open house just to show friends and family all the changes we have made. I am so proud of Cory, he has become such a handy man. I love the way things have turned out and I will never do this again. If I want to make over a house again Cory has strick instructions to hit me over the head with a 2 by 4!
The girls are sooooo bored, and I know it is because we are always working on the house, but in a week or so we will be free to go to the mall and the pool and friend's houses and the park and the museum...well, you get what I mean.
Two posts in the same month...I am getting better at this.
One L

Getting ready for the move.

Well it has been awhile since I updated the old blog, and I know I have to get into the habit soon. Only a few more months and we will be living in PA. I love the sun and will miss its warmth more than I can say. We are listing the house this week and hope to sell it quickly. We are pricing it 10,00.00 below market value in hopes that it will sell soon. Once we have a solid offer on our house we can put in an offer on a house in PA. Cory is very excited to quit work and just focus on school, he has been working and going to school for ever and deserves a break so he can just worry about school.
The boys are staying here and going to college here in the valley, Chris is going full time while Greg is going to do it parttime. Sometimes I wish they were both coming with us but I know Greg will be 20 years old in August and it is time mommy let him go and grow up on his own. Chris on the other hand has been a 40 year old man trapped in a young man's body for as long as I can remember so it is hard for me to think of him as young and helpless going to school with no mom or dad around to help. He doesn't need me anymore but I still need him.
The girls are excited about the move and see it as an adventure...just what we told them it was. Lets just hope it all stays positive and upbeat.
That is all for now.
One L