5 Things--Moving Day

5 Things I will miss about living here:

1-An attached garage
2-The programmable thermostat
3-The turkeys, peacocks, cows and other wildlife that frequently block the road
4-Being less than 10 minutes away from my family
5-All the storage space


5 Things I will NOT miss about living here:

1-The Commute!
2-How it is so quiet at night (I've never really slept well here.)
3-The turkeys, peacocks, cows and other wildlife that frequently block the road
4-The road that either torn up or closed (seriously, the entire 4 years, 2 months)
5-Being so far away from everything

T-Minus 36 Hours and Counting

I've signed my new lease, gotten keys, etc. to the new apartment, have emptied and cleaned 3 rooms (only 5 rooms and a garage left to go) and I'm outta here on Saturday.

Yikes!

I cannot wait for this to be finished and I can get back to semblance of a normal life. You know, the one where there is not a wall of boxes in the living room.

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

During the recent General Priesthood Session of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Conference a man millions revere as a prophet had this to say:

This kind of miracle can happen and will happen when there is kindness, respect, and love. Why do any of us have to be so mean and unkind to others? Why can't all of us reach out in friendship to everyone about us? Why is there so much bitterness and animosity? It is not a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Brethren, it is this spirit, expressed by the Prophet, which we must cultivate in our lives. We cannot be complacent about it. We are members of the Church of our Lord. We have an obligation to Him as well as to ourselves and others. This sinful old world so much needs men of strength, men of virtue, men of faith and righteousness, men willing to forgive and forget.

There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.

Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

How many times must we be told to love one another, to accept and forgive, to treat everyone with kindness, respect and love regardless of whether we agree with their choices? How many of the "faithful" think for one moment that President Hinckley treats others with contempt, hate, and spite, even though he may condemn their sins from the pulpit?

Penguins

These fairy penguins (just about a foot tall) are being rehabilitated by a rescue facility in Australia. After surviving an oil spill, the oil along with the repeated washings destroy the feather's ability to insulate. These sweaters keep them warm; as well as keeping them from preening and ingesting more toxins. Plus, they are just super cute!


Fairy Penguins

Welcome, Nubbin #13

Congratulations to T2 and their baby girl, Sparky. She's a tiny little thing at 6 lbs 13 oz, 18 1/2 inches long, born at 6:16 this morning just over 2 weeks early. Mom and Dad spent all night in labor and delivery after her water broke while being seated at a resaurant.

My brother called this morning to share the news and upon giving me her stats declared, "She's so tiny, she's barely even a real baby!"

Happy Easter

Surely the most majestic moment of that fateful Friday, when nature convulsed and the veil of the temple was rent, was that unspeakably merciful moment when Christ said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” As our advocate with the Father, He is still making that same plea today—in your behalf and in mine.

--Jeffery R. Holland, 1996

Home Sweet Home

Yep, I've found a place to live...in the apartment building of my dreams.

One less thing to stress about.

More Bits and Pieces

I'm feeling much better (physically) so I promise there will less whining. Being sick just pushes me over the edge, and well, I whine. A Lot.

Other than feeling better, not much has changed. Still really stressed, still no place to live, still not sure the sale will go through, but things are moving along. I've gotten serious about packing and most of my den is sitting in cardboard boxes. I've even reserved a rental truck for the planned moving day.

My neighborhood is having a "Spring Cleaning Week" and starting tomorrow there will be a dumpster at the back of the subdivision. Perfect timing for a girl trying to pare down her belongings.

I also have finished 2 more books...both re-reads of old favorites:

Irish Whiskey, Andrew Greeley
Remember Me, Mary Higgins Clark

I'm currently reading 5th Horseman by James Patterson. Nice, easy, fluff to get me through the stress.

Someday, when I'm moved and all unpacked I'll post more often and hopefully on more diverse topics. Until then....it's all about the move!

Bits and Pieces

I'm sitting here trying to finish my taxes, waiting for the updates to download and thinking what a pain in the ass my life is these days. I'm totally stressed out and can't wait to take a couple of days off.

The sale is slowly, but surely going forward. The inspection is done, but we are still waiting on the appraisal. In fact, we won't know for sure if it's a go until the 24th...we're scheduled to close on the 28th.

I've been apartment hunting almost every day and had finally narrowed it down to two; then I decided to go check out a couple that scored lower on my list, but were closer to work. After all that, a 2 bedroom became available in the apartment building of my dreams so I've put down some hold money and I'm waiting to find out if I'm approved. I hate waiting; I hate not knowing; I hate having to be approved, and I can not wait until the deal is done and I'm all moved in (wherever that may be).

I've also got another(!) cold (the 3rd this year...I chalk it up to being super stressed out). I suddenly realized that I've only got 3 weekends until the move and I'm no where near ready. So, in the panicked state I decided it would be fine if I spent Friday babysitting the newest nubbin, instead of packing. She screamed for more than an hour. Then, finally exhausted, went to sleep in my arms. Needless, to say I sat totally still, praying she wouldn't wake up again.

Yesterday, my parents held their annual Easter Egg Hunt for all the nubbins. Again, it was fun (ooh, they're so cute, I want to hug them to death), but it leeched away the whole day. So, taxes today, a birthday dinner for a SIL tonight, and probably no packing being done...again.

Just say it with me, breathe in and say, "3 more weeks", breathe out and say, "You can do it."

Let it Snow, er, Let it go!

It's snowing in Utah today. You can see pictures that accurately represent Utah's bipolar spring weather here and here. I want real spring weather, with sun and warm temperatures!

Holy Cow!

I have been so busy that everything I thought about mentioning here has flow completely out of my head.

1-I've been running around trying to see all the apartments on my list that scored at least an 8 out of 10 on my spreadsheet. Some of been really good and some really, really bad, but I've finally narrowed it down to two places. Both further south than I wanted, but still closer to work than I am now.

2-Friday I ate at my very favorite Mexican restaurant and I again was left waiting for nearly an hour for my dinner companions. I hate it when people are not on time. I can forgive a few minutes here and there, and granted, they did have bad traffic, but this isn't the only time; it's every time and it is frustrating. The meal, however, was delicious as usual.

3-I agreed to babysit some of the nubbins today, but neglected to remember how the time change would screw up my schedule. I thought, "I'll get up and start my laundry by 8:00 a.m....that way it'll all been done before I have to leave." A good plan, yes, but I neglected to remember that when I got up at what my body thought was 8:00, it was actually 9:00 and I had to head out there with still damp pants and 2 loads waiting to be done.

4-The parents of said nubbins are taking my extra bed and decided to come and get it tonight. I piece of furniture down and several more to go. I'm now contemplating looking at 2 bedroom apartments, just so I don't have to give away things like...my kitchen table.