WTF was with this f---ing day?

Moving sucks all the way around, but today was in rare form.  Right now I just want to go to sleep, but I have to write about this or else I'll be awake all night freaking out about it, despite the big handful of pills I took.

It started out well enough.  I had my things together, including  nice mug of hot coffee.  I went out to the car to get started on my major chore for the day: go through the storage until and find any and all linens that needed washing before moving into my new place.  Right off the bat I fell on the sheet of ice under the snow and soaked through my clothes.  Ouch, but now a new outfit before I left home (glad I decided not to wear the new Ugg boots).

Got to the storage unit.  I slipped and slid all around and was glad the car had 4-wheel drive to get through the drifts all around it.  Then the lock was frozen.  I found something resembling a tire jack and banged on it until it opened.  And then the fun began.  As I rooted around for all the linens, I found little holes in plastic bags of clothes and blankets.  Some linens were completely destroyed by the good half-inch of dirt and debris.  Additionally, there was rodent shit through the storage until.  On my f---ing bed.  I'm pretty mad about that.  I just started throwing things out onto the snow and then put all my yarn into garbage sacks so it would basically make it to the dumpster by my house so I could throw away my entire collection of yarn.  I'm not about to go through rodent shit yarn.

I fell on my face again and considered my options: (a) cry or (b) shout profanity.  I chose the latter and after the tirade was over (and let me tell you, it was a creative, satisfying string of the best words I know) I felt less like crying.

Then I went to the laundromat and spent nearly three hours there washing the salvageable in hot water with bleach and then drying it within an inch of its life.  It was really crowded but I felt like we were all getting along and were courteous.  But then something rotten happened.  A young girl - about 6th or 7th grade - opened my dryer by mistake.  It was about done anyway.  I told her no bigggie.  But her mother grabbed her by her arm hard and shouted obscenities at the girl in Spanish and I recognized them and at one point she hit her kid and called her a bitch. I sort of inserted myself, trying to talk to the mother, who didn't speech English and asking the girl if she was okay and if there was anything I could do.  Then I basically watched them because if I saw anything go down I was going to call the police.  It was really tense and stressful.  I was just glad to get out of there.  But you know, everyone else there acted like it was all okay and fine.  And it wasn't okay and fine!

I made it home after another stop and was so cold from my wet clothes.  I fell asleep in the bathtub, fell asleep watching Daniel Craig play 007 (I know, right!  Daniel Craig!) And the pain at this point.  Oh my hell.  Oh, and at some point we'll get into the stupid letter from the University of Utah Clinic.

And I should have done this one last thing but instead I'm blogging and listening to "Vampire Weekend" - a band iTunes suggested I like and I complied and turned out I actually liked.

Here's what I should be working on packing up (clothes).  Instead, sleep.

Picture updates

Thought I'd post picture of my new domicile and my new car.  Here you go:

This is my new place - one half of a duplex.  I love it.

And this is my car, a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder.  It will be great for transporting dogs for adventures.  It has four doors plus ample space in the back and it has four wheel drive.  I also got a really good deal on it!

Whew... and it's just getting started

My new year's resolutions for 2010 I distinctly remember saying I wanted to do two things: (1) use eye cream every night, and (2) move fewer times in 2010 than I did in 2009.  I will have accomplished the latter.  The former will be on my list, again.

A refresher.  In 2009 I moved three times.  Then in April of this year I moved back to Idaho.  That is actually four times in 12 months.  Now, at the very beginning of the new year, on January 1, 2011, I am moving again.  This time I am moving just a hop, skip, and a jump away from my parents, my brother, my gram, and that whole mess of family you've seen in pictures here.  Last week was about getting ready for Christmas.  This week is about getting ready to move.

You'd think I wouldn't have that much to do.  I've literally been living out of a suitcase... plus all the other crap I've managed to accumulate in my upstairs room.  And for the record, my mom has attempted to get me out of said suitcase but I find it a great place to dump clothes once they've been balled up and removed from the dryer.  :)

And setting up a household again, despite still have a 10x10 storage unit with things in it, is actually not as easy as it sounds.  Today my mom, gram, and I went to Twin Falls and had a major marathon shopping day.  I scored some great deals.  But at the last store, standing there with two grocery carts full of stuff I needed: dishes, coffee maker, kitchen towels, garbage cans... it felt completely overwhelming.  The sheer volume was overwhelming.  And I'm not even done yet.

I'm excited for this next phase in my life.  (Don't worry, mom, I will still be over every night even if it is just to play Jeopardy).  I'm also worried.  Whether or not I should, I consider the last attempt at living my regular, adult life (as in the years from 18 to 30???) a colosal failure and I'm scared to fail again.  I know I have this incredible safety net, for which I am eternally grateful.  But I just don't want to crash and burn.  I feel tentative and unsteady.  Let's see how I feel when I get the dishes put away and the storage unit dust cleared and the dogs washed.  Maybe I'll feel good.  And then maybe I'll post pictures!

Merry Christmas!

Since my sister came for a visit last week, it's seemed like Christmas for awhile now.  This past week my mom was off for the holiday break from school, which was good because she had about a million projects (check out her blog at http://lifeatthecasa.blogspot.com/) and for me Christmas has been coming since I ordered my new Mac and iPhone, purchased some new shoes and other things via the web, and bought a car last week (more on that to come,with pictures).

So yes, I finally did receive the federal money I had been waiting on and in case I hadn't updated this blog enough, I found a place (a duplex really nearby off the Paul/Rupert highway), bought a 95 Nissan Pathfinder to take my stinkhounds and I on lots of adventures, and while much of the other stuff was necessary, I have to admit the grey Ugg Boots were just because I wanted them.   I'm moving a week from today and my blessed family is helping me... again.  But this time I should be here awhile because I signed a gym contract here.

This was the best Christmas I've had in a long time actually.  We all agreed as a family that we wouldn't do gifts and if we did do gifts, they had to be homemade or gifts of our selves in some way.  For example, I got a wonderful calendar with pictures of my niece from my brother's family and a CD with tracks my brother recorded of him playing his sax and reading his favorite piece of poetry as well as some of his favorite jazz favorites.

I got to watch my mom and dad's gift early because I helped copy the DVDs for everyone.  My mom sent everyone a survey to fill out and then used a scrapbooking program to create a scrapbook using pictures from the past year and our answers to the survey to make a DVD of our family memories.  It made me cry because watching it and looking over the last year of my life, it didn't feel like such a waste.  Pretty amazing gift.  The last few weeks with my family really have been a gift.

Here are a few pictures from the day:

We ate dinner with our extended family at my aunt's house.

My brother, two sisters-in-law, and Dad all play at my aunt's house.

My niece likes the guitar her grandma & grandpa got her for Christmas 

(and that her grandpa made sure was properly tuned before they wrapped it).

My brothers and sisters-in-law hanging out.

Now who said money can't buy love?

This, ladies and gentlemen, is my new love - my macbook pro.  It has a few subtle enhancements to improve its functionality and I have to say, I love, love, love using it.  The keyboard feels like a dream.  The screen is sharper and clearer than most TVs.  Ever since my beloved old computer bit the dust last year (and Sony let me down by not making parts) I've wanted this computer.  Now we are together at last.

PS The computer is supposed to be the focus of the picture, not my weird picture and the hair frizz.  Just so you know. :)

The gang was all here!

Today was a glorious day of taking it easy.  It was just me, the TV, and the couch.  I did yogic breathing exercises after my morning inhaler dosage and breathed in the wonderful air from the humidifier.  My dad had reminded me that I could do meditative or yoga breathing to help and it was funny that I needed reminding since I use some exercises whenever I need peace or calm or just relaxation.  Funny we need to be reminded to breathe, eh?  Besides this, I caught up on Fringe and had a lovely nap.  I am already breathing easier.

Now to blog about the past weekend!

My sister came to visit for a week (rare, unexpected, a gift) and so all my siblings and their spouses and child came into town to visit as well.  For two solid days it was just our family (10 and counting) - hanging out and spending time together.  I was just so grateful for all the time together.  Playing with my niece was fun and aerobic as usual.  We went swimming, made homemade pizzas (I actually didn't help but rather only ate the results, to be honest), played The Farming Game, watched Dora The Explorer and The A-Team, had a full scale Thanksgiving-style dinner, took turns entertaining the aforementioned two and a half year old, and hung out/visited./talked.

Can I just say again how grateful I am.  It is this incredible gift when we all can get together.  I have a huge extended family and a pretty good sized immediate family that is going to grow (my SIL is pregnant and due in March and my sister is engaged to be married to a wonderful man).  But when all my siblings are all together again, under the same roof, there is just something really special to me about it.

Some pictures (of the vast amount I took) of this past weekend:

My SIL takes a break from cutting my mom's hair to hang out with my brother (her hubby).

My sister and SIL looks on as my brother sets up a new toy for my niece (a racing car track).

My mom (grandma) and my niece watch Dora.

My niece sings into her microphone... a rising star!  And yes, that's a Utes t-shirt.

My sister the artist helps her niece paint a lovely picture for grandma.  Even that kid's smock is cute!

My brother and his niece make chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  

She said to him, "Yeah!  You did it all my yourself!  Good job!"  Adorable.

One final thought.  My parents have to work so hard for us to do this.  They work all day and night to keep up with everyone and they put out so much time, energy, and money for our gatherings.  I was in so much pain from over-doing it all that I was of no help at all.  Thank you mom and dad for making this weekend happen.  I am so completely grateful.  This is my tribute - a song that makes me cry every single time I hear it.

I have a family here on earth. They are so good to me.

I want to share my life with them through all eternity.

Fam’lies can be together forever through Heav’nly Father’s plan.

I always want to be with my own family,

And the Lord has shown me how I can.

The Lord has shown me how I can.

(“Families Can Be Together Forever,” Children’s Songbook, 188).

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Bronchial-never-going-to-leave-me-alone-itis

How long ago was it that I blogged about finally going to the doc about a persistent cough and then finding out I had a bronchial infection?  It never quite went away and when I went in for my monthly prescription refill today, I brought up my new and continuing symptoms.  My mom bought me a cool air humidifier a few days ago and it is lovely, but my chest gets tighter and tighter and has gotten harder and harder to breathe.  I went swimming on Saturday (more about that in my next post which I hope to have the energy for tomorrow) and could hardly breathe - very unlike me in the pool.

The doc listened to my lungs and hooked me up to a little machine that made sure adequate oxygen was going in and out of my body.  It is adequate, just not optimal, which they said is probably why I am so tired.  I got a little inhaler that has helped with the tightness and a "z pack" of antibiotics which is supposed to make this go away.

The fantastic nurse there is also going to call the University of Utah clinic for me and try to get them to get me an appointment, since I keep leaving messages to no avail. I love my doc's office and the staff there.

So cross your fingers, would you?

PS Tomorrow I hope to report on all the amazing, marvelous, incredible, awesome family fun of the past weekend.  Hopefully going to bed at eight and sleeping for 12 hours will help!

Family! Family! Family!

This past weekend I was able to go to Utah to spend time with my brother's family, which includes my pregnant SIL and my wonderful 2 1/2 year old niece.  I had a great time!  My brother did nothing but cook the richest most decadent food imaginable. I got to visit a bit with my SIL and I spent time playing with my niece - who had changed and grown so much since the last time I'd seen her.  For example, the last time I spent time with her, she did a lot of repeating what you said and repeating questions and statements.  Now she is practically outspoken and so much more talkative.  She is a character - a card - and I love her.

On the way home we decided to take a bit of a detour and take my grandpa out to lunch.  He isn't doing very well; he's having a hard time getting around.  But the Asian buffet was delish and I ate too much and loved it.

This past weekend was our family's celebration of Thanksgiving and I am so grateful.  I'm grateful for my wonderful family: for my parents who included me in the drive down to Utah, for my brother's family and their lovely hospitality, and for the pain killers that made it even possible to go.  I may have slept a lot, but I was able to go and that mattered so, so much to me.

Oh, and PS: My sister is flying into Boise tomorrow!  How grateful am I?

PPS If I could just get rid of this vile respiratory thing I'd be the happiest woman for miles and miles!

The infernal cough is back!

It started on Wednesday when I was swimming.  I coughed the whole time, in between laps.  I almost called the whole thing off, but you know me.  I'm stubborn.  Thursday I slept and coughed all day.  Today I slept and coughed all day until I got a wicked migraine at about five and then tried not to cough because it hurt so bad when I coughed I thought I'd pass out.  I wanted to see my doctor but his office was closed until Monday.

Really?!?!

This is back already?

Really?!?!

Bullocks.