Blahhhh!

OK, our stuff is off the truck. It's not exactly in the house...but it's no longer on the truck.

What a busy day. We trotted over at 8, hoping to meet the truck. No dice. A call at 9 or so informed us that the truck had broken something and might not make it to us until late today or tomorrow. I explained (in a controlled voice) that this might cause someone to TOTALLY FREAK OUT and I would not be responsible. He said, "Let me call you back around noon."

While we waited to hear our fate, other things proceeded. The cable guy arrived, and greeted us by saying "Who wants some internet?!" Then his cell phone went off, and the ring tone was death metal. Awesome.

After the cable guy we welcomed the washer/dryer guys, who hooked up our new appliances, explained the rules, and then told me that students should study hard because otherwise "they'll end up delivering appliances like me."

In a handy coin-ky-dink, Mr. Stott of Stott Plumbing arrived while the washer/dryer fellas were working. He explained our new boiler, then jumped in to save the day when something was leaking. In my ideal world, I would keep a plumber, electrician, and carpenter on staff. Maybe even in the house.

So we finished up with plumbing (boiler install begins tomorrow!), signed for our washer and dryer, played a bit with our cable, and then went to lunch in shifts. Cafe Dodo!!

And while I sat there, enjoying my orange/ginger glazed salmon, the phone rang. It was Isaac, our driver. The truck was ready! He'd be there in 1.5 hours! Yay!

Stay tuned for the rest of the story tomorrow. Right now, I need to lay my weary head to rest.

Killing Time

We leave today at 5, which really means 3, since one has to get to the airport, check bags (I learned my lesson about lugging a carseat around - no more of that, please), get through security with Iain, two small backpacks, and a stroller, then wait for boarding.

Until 3, we're trying to find ways to kill time. So far, we spent some time with Callie (drawing, playing with monkeys, doing puzzles, etc.), popped out to the grocery to replenish the milk supply (depleted thanks to the voracious appetite of 2 toddlers and 2 drinkers of hot tea and coffee), took a short walk through the neighborhood, and consumed a small lunch (laughing cow cheese and crackers for The Moose, followed by mass quantities of fruit).

Next? Naptime, I hope. Then it will be time for a final pack of the suitcase, a snack, and the drive to the airport. Whee!

In other news, Iain awoke at 5:18am to tell me he needed a new diaper. Did I get up? No. First of all, you cannot be sure he needs one. Second, changing a diaper in the dark, on the floor, without a pad? Bad idea. Third, it was 5:18am!! Had I gotten him "UP, Mommy!" he'd have been fully awake. At 5:18am.

Charles pointed out, though, that at least he's aware that he needs such a thing, and beginning to tell us. True, true.

Bye, Bye, Old House

As of this morning, we no longer own two empty houses. Now, we only own one.

So bye, bye, old house. And tomorrow: hello, new house!

In the meantime, Mommy needs to get cracking on her reading!

Keeping Busy

"Today without Daddy"
By Iain

1. Pancakes for brekkie. [Brief call to Grandma during which I run away and then demand that we say "Bye!"]

2. Park. Slide, steps, other kids, slide, handholds, climbing, slide, Callie!, slide, slide.

3. Apple sauce, banana, crackers, strawberries, yogurt, orange.

4. Nap. When I get up, Mommy and Callie's Mommy are gone. They return with strange, reddened toenails. I'm sure they're up to something.

5. Books! Drive stroller around the house, ART! [Mommy, please draw an airplane. Now a helicopter. Do it again. Again. AGAIN!]

6. Back in the stroller for an outing to the Kroger. Someone hands Callie a bunch of bananas and when I reach for them she clutches them to her bosom and says "MINE!" We talk about sharing but she doesn't fall for it.

7. P'Sgetti. I repeatedly ask for a bite of pizza. Mommy gives it to me. I scream, "NO! NO Pizza!!" She takes it away. I demand a bite. Repeat. Fun! [Brief call with Grandma during which I say "I Love You Grandma" then run away and demand we say "BYE!" Brief call to Daddy during which I demand we say "BYE!"]

8. Bath with Callie. Afterwards, I am a baby frog. I ribbit. I hop.

9. Books! Goodnight Moon, Goodnight California, and something about frogs or ducks or something. I dunno. Callie wanted my seat, so I got to cuddle with her mom.

10. Bed.

On The Move

Apologies for the unreliable posting. We're in that limbo state between one move and another. The Lexington house is on a truck, wending its way to Salt Lake, and Iain's Dad is driving west with the dogs and Grandad.

Meanwhile, Iain's touring the parks of Lexington, learning the relative merits of this or that slide and this or that staircase. Today he tried a really tall yellow slide, but at some point he flipped around and ended up going down headfirst.

Later today we're having a last cleaning of the house here, then Iain and I are just waiting for our Tuesday flight.

More posts soon, and (starting Wednesday) from the mountains!

Such a Boy

Big day today. The movers arrived at 9, and by the time they got everything into their gi-normous truck it was 7:30pm. Yes.

Iain avoided the whole thing by going to school and then taking over Callie's house. She was off playing with her aunt and uncle, so Iain had all her toys to himself. He loves to push her little pink stroller around the house, but lest you think he's letting go of his boy-obsession with all things combustion related...

Tonight he pushed the cart into the den and I realized that instead of a baby in the stroller he'd placed a wooden train car. Yes, he was taking his little train for walkies.

Getting Close

After another visit by the amazing and talented Callie's Mom, we're getting closer to being really, truly ready to go. Most of the kitchen is packed, cabinets and drawers emptied, last-minute utensils wrapped, tossed in a box, and taped up.

We still have to address things like Iain's toys and his clothes. And I have to pack my desk after I finish grading (!). But we have all day tomorrow for that. For tonight, it's nice to have had a lovely visit with Callie, to have shared a meal with her staff, and to know that - one box at a time - we're getting there.