A Bumpy Day

This sight greeted me this morning. Guinness steals towels and shoes and grabs food whenever he can, but he doesn't rip up a toilet paper roll. That is puppy play; right, Jack?!

This morning, I had to shower in Steve's masterbath, as "my" hallway bath had a first coat of paint yesterday, and they were coming to do the second coat today. I carefully (I thought) locked the door. As I was drying off, Kevin came walking in! :-0

I was supposed to leave today, but the weather report for north of here where I want to tour is high winds and heavy rains. Not good for touring! Besides, I had not accomplished all my deeds yet.

After taking Kevin to school, Steve took Jack to the vet. While they were gone, I shut Guinness in the mud room to make sure he would not make any more scratches on the hardwood. When Jack returned, he went to the mud room door and whined to be let in with Guinny. True love!

Steve and I drove two cars to the apartment to finish bringing everything home. As soon as we opened the door, we could hear water running. Either the sprinkler system was leaking or something was causing water around the kitchen sprinkler to gush to the floor. The flood on the kitchen floor was just beginning to be deep enough to run over the metal carpet ridge and begin soaking the carpet. Life is a drama! Fortunately, a couple of days ago, I boxed up everything that was left on the kitchen counters.

I mailed more of Kevin's outgrown clothes and belongings to Kien and Gabe, and mailed Karin's Greenville, SC, throw blanket to MLE. I offered it on Facebook last week as Steve has no interest in keeping it.

At lunchtime, Steve told me that he and his girlfriend broke up last night. Probably that impending moment was causing him to be testy this week aside from the stress of the move! I can't feel too badly, because I know this one was not Karin's pick, although she had the coincidence of having the same last name as the director of Karin's (and Greg's) preschool program many years ago. Steve says I am a bad omen, because, three times, a relationship has ended while I was with him.

This afternoon, I delivered Karin's flowers to her and had a little chat.

I did some grocery shopping today so that I could make dinner at home -- the first home-cooked dinner (meager as it was) in the new house.

Something weird happened to Kevin's schedule this afternoon. On Thursdays, Kevin is in a Lego program after school (at school) until 4:30. According to his teachers, Kevin said that I was not picking him up today, because I had flown home. What?! I didn't fly here! And we did not say "goodbye" this morning! Anyway, when I went to pick him up, they had sent him to his "after school" program a couple of blocks away. When I arrived at after school, he seemed especially jubilant there. Kevin insisted, with tears, he never said I had flown home. Oh, well... Then I discovered that he did not have his school bag, including his lunch containers and Daddy's drink container he had to take today, because he left/lost his at school the previous day! With screams and tears, he wanted to go back to school to look for his bag on the sidewalk. I told him I was just there and it was not; besides, now the doors would be locked. He was very upset. ugh! I had planned to take him shopping for some pumpkins and scarecrow, etc. to put on his front porch, but I was not in the mood nor was he focused. Or was he? Could he have decided he wanted to go to after school instead of the Lego program???

Kevin LOVES his dog! :)

While I cleaned up the kitchen, Daddy and Kevin created a castle.

Daddy helped me load Karin's curio cabinet into my vehicle. It's purpose was to display harp figurines -- most of which her Dad and I had bought whenever we found a harp. They are still in storage. One thing at a time.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

After taking Kevin to school in another downpour, the house was a-buzz with workers: blind installer, painters, billiard table installer, and the decorator consulting with Steve about more choices. She generally has exquisite taste, but I was shocked today with the bedspread she had ordered, with Steve's approval, for Kevin's room. It has three shades of blue, as well as brown, but none of the blues match or even coordinate with the blue walls!!! What was she thinking??? Steve is not sure which came first -- the bedspread or the paint. He thinks the paint. Dumb! You choose your room accessories, then select the paint that is a perfect match.

With all these people here, someone had to be at the house, and it had to be Steve. So he wanted me to go back to the apartment to cart back all the remaining odds and ends. He didn't remember what was left behind, but I did. I told him I would pack up the little things (filled two boxes), and carry only the light things down the stairs and through the rain. He could carry the heavy things later. He has until Friday to have everything out.

The garage is filled with things Steve doesn't want -- all Karin's choices and favorite things. The new house is bereft of Karin. Cathi and Greg are eager to have some furniture pieces or paintings that are reminiscent of Karin. I took photos for them to decide what they would like before Steve disposes of everything.

He went out with a friend, so I had my car to myself and went shopping for flowers. I even bought Karin's Chirstmas/winter wreath at great prices. I hope Steve doesn't mind storing it.

Steve took us on another discombobulated adventure. We drove to the airport for Steve to rent a car. How long has he lived here? The airport is a half hour away. It was rush hour, but he also missed a turn and we went way out of way. It took one and a half hours to reach the airport! Meanwhile, Kevin began complaining that his lunch was too sparse and he was starving. I had suggested that we go to Caribou for hot chocolate and a cookie right after school, but he was not hungry. Now he was ravishingly hungry! Nothing would appease him. Daddy decided that we should leave the airport and drive directly to Chick-Fil-A. My idea was to buy him a snack, go home to feed the dogs and let them out, then go to dinner. Daddy decided to desert us at dinner, so I followed through with my plan. We stopped at a bakery for a pain au chocolat. He loved it! :) His Mommy would be pleased.

Once we arrived at Chick-Fil-A, the parking lot was jammed. We drove around two times before finding a spot. Once inside, the place was crammed! No place to sit, "and the noise, oh the noise, oh the noise, noise, noise." (ala Dr. Seuss) We ordered our food to go. Initially Kevin was upset to not stay and play on their playground, but he was very grateful to walk outside to a peaceful world, as I was too!

I am not sure that I have seen two dogs enjoy each other so much! They only stop playing to rest. If only their wild play didn't scratch the hardwood, they would be totally adorable!!!







LOL



He was supposed to help me arrange the flowers, but, by then, he was engrossed in a movie.

Karin's Birthday

Grant awakened me to recognize Karin's birthday! The first thing Kevin said to me this morning was, "Happy birthday, Mommy!"

The dogs continue their love affair.

This day was discombobulated. Certainly not as planned! My plan was to go to Michael's to buy flowers, prepare an arrangement, and place it in Karin's marker vase. Steve needed me to babysit the house this morning, as painters would be here again, while he accomplished another errand. I wanted to attend a make up at the local Rotary Club, and he needed to deal with issues about his car. So, I stayed home in the morning, he drove me to Rotary, while he hoped to accomplish his tasks. When he picked me up, he was a bit frantic. He had left his wallet and house key at home. Therefore, he could not order the new key for his car which needed to be done by 2:00 or it would require another day in the shop. He went home for his wallet, discovered he didn't have his key, and the painters, with my house key, had left the house for lunch. He couldn't buy lunch -- no money, no ATM card. He accomplished nothing for two hours! I had hoped to pick up Kevin from school, take him to Michael's with me and to the cemetery. Instead, I had to WALK to his school to bring him home, and we could not go to Michael's.

We had an "interesting" walk. I brought both dogs which was tricky since Jack does not know how to heel. There are no sidewalks for half of the walk, and I had to walk through tall grass. I was wearing Crocs, and my feet were prickly and stinging. By the time I reached school, I realized those sensations were from fire ants! We had no choice but to walk home that way with Kevin also wearing Crocs. We had a foot and shoe bath as soon as we were home!

I brought several books to Kevin from my attic; books that had been his Mommy's and Uncle Greg's. One is a Russian fairytale which we read after our foot bath. Once Daddy was home, there was no time to buy, then arrange flowers today and still have dinner at a decent hour.

Another time-consuming, gratifying, and comforting activity today was keeping up with the thoughtful messages on Facebook all day. Such dear friends to remember Karin on her birthday! A true blessing!

What a good boy!!!

Or is he??? He is holding one of Kevin's favorite stuffed dogs! tsk, tsk

Kevin looked out the window and saw kids riding bikes on his cul-de-sac, so we went out for Kevin to ride with them!


I had planned to go to Chili's, one of Karin's favorite restaurants, but Steve suggested an Italian restaurant she liked which I had never experienced. Karin had exquisite taste! It was very good.

And we saved room for dessert at Goodberry's frozen custard where Kevin loves to play on their pole handrails.

Interesting Developments

Before taking Kevin to school, we found Jack leading Guinness around by his leash!


Later, they were fighting over/playing with my Croc. Silly dogs!


Steve intended to do some shopping this morning for household goods, but his car wouldn’t start, so he took my SUV. Good thing he took my car, as he needed the extra space for all the stuff he brought home from Target!

The painters were working on Kevin's room when Kevin arrived home from school. He was able to watch his room be transformed.


AAA came and were unable to jump start Steve's car. It had to be towed in for servicing. Since BMWs cannot be taken out of Park when the engine is not running, it had to be dragged onto a flatbed tow truck.


There is very little in the new house that Karin lived with. Everything is or will be new. Kevin twirled in the empty family room. Soon the new furniture will arrive.

Cathi called today. She put Kien on the phone to say hello. He asked to speak to Grandpa. I told him that Grandpa was at home, and I was at Kevin's house. So he asked to speak to Kevin, but Kevin was at school. Later in the day, we spoke again. This time Kien and Kevin were able to say "hi" to each other.

Kevin drew the dragon from the Ed Emberley book tonight. :)

At bedtime, I received an earful from Kevin. He cried and cried, and didn't want to be alone, so I lay down with him for a while. He jabbered on and on between tears about many, many things. It all started with Mommy. Before he got in bed, he stared at a framed family photo taken on his Dedication Day. He got into bed talking about Mommy, how much he missed her, then he cried and cried. Between sobs, he squeaked out, "I have never cried so hard."

I sang Jesus songs to lull him, but it didn't work. Then he talked about God and church and how much he misses it. In the conversation, I mentioned that God did not make Mommy die. Satan did. He asked who Satan is. I told him it was another name for the devil. He didn't know who the devil was. I attempted a brief explanation, telling the story of Adam and Eve. He said he had never heard that story before. Then cried because he wants to know more about God and to know more Bible stories.

I tried singing "My Favorite Things" to cheer him up. It didn't. He said he couldn't remember the words, because he has not seen the movie or heard the CD in so long.

I think this move is particularly hard on him as it is on Daddy, and every portion of his little life is discolored as a result.

Sunday

The first night in the house, it was only me, as Steve and Kevin were camping until late this morning. Using Kevin's bookcase, I barricaded the dogs upstairs on carpeted floors to prevent them from scratching the downstairs hardwood while on my watch!


I slept on Kevin's single mattress on the floor of his room. A new full size bed and furniture will be arriving for Kevin in the near future.

I wondered what the dogs would do -- if I might be totally pushed out of bed. In the apartment, Guinness slept with me in Kevin's single bed and Jack slept on the floor beside me. I don't think he could jump up that high.

Guinness climbed on the mattress with me and Jack lay down beside me! Until early morning. Guinness moved off the bed and allowed Jack to lie on the mattress with me! :-0

I was sad to not be taking Kevin to church today. When he found out I would be going to church a couple of days ago, he said, "But I like church too!"

I enjoyed seeing Karin's, Steve's, Kevin's, and my old friends. Lots of hugs. And I asked for prayer for Steve as he finds his way, as he has closed God out of his life. So I am asking you to pray for him too! They were having a Potluck Lunch today and invited me to stay. Steve texted me saying they were home and asked if I was going to buy them lunch. (He intended that as a joke -- though I would have!) I told him to come for the Potluck, but he refused.

I expected to be busy helping to unpack as I have in his last two moves. But Steve is very uptight about this move now that we are in the house, and a bit cranky. ;-) He wants everything to be perfect -- his way.

Kevin finds joy in unpacking too, but of a different sort.

This evening, a "transparent" frog was on the backdoor!

This was the scene when I tucked Kevin into bed. But this placid scene only lasted a few minutes.

Moving Day

Kevin digs right into work projects, sticks to a job, and is quite helpful! The movers were amazed at his ability and stick-to-it-iveness.

He was on guard watch in the outside hallway and stairs, letting them know if it was "all clear."

He was of significant help in holding the end of the “Saran Wrap” in place until they wrapped it around the object one or two times.



Kevin did his part to be helpful in every way!

When we arrived at the new house with truck in tow, I ushered the two dogs into the mud room to spend their day. Steve’s new hardwood floors are exceptionally beautiful – wide boards with variegated, dark, wood tones. Kevin helped me deliver their toys to the dogs, and I warned him that the dogs (especially Guinness) MUST stay in there to be out of the way and to prevent them from scratching the floor on the first day in the house. Within 5 minutes, Kevin had let them out, and I nailed them while racing through the main level. Once corralled, I was showing the lead mover where all the rooms are and what they are termed on the boxes. He pointed out the scratches on the floor outside the mud room towards the billiard room (built to be a dining room). AARRRGGGHHH! Before Steve had even walked into the house!!! I guess, floor scratches don’t mean much to a 6 year old. He let them (at least, Jack) out later when I was not around. I was relieved to hear the marks on the family room floor were carved by Jack.

I bought a box of muffins for us this morning. Steve and I each had one. Not sure how Guinness and Jack divided them up... :\


As the mover was reassembling the kitchen table, Kevin watched what he did, saw him unscrew the washer, and copied him. Kevin attached two of the legs on the table himself! The mover only had to tighten the screws.



The realtor brought Steve a basket of goodies as a thank you for the business. It included some books for Kevin and a punch balloon. Kevin had fun making a tail of the punch balloon. Heather was Kevin’s nanny (picked by Karin) from when Karin went in the hospital the final time until he started “Kindergarten” (though he is actually in a Montessori school).


The builder planted a lone tree in backyard. Steve’s neighbor on one side has a fully planted yard and even a bluebird box! Since they must face east, we have the view of the birds’ entrance. I figured the chances were good that we would one day see a bluebird! An hour later, we did! THREE of them in Steve’s tree!!!! Within five minutes, Kevin, Heather, and I saw in that tree – 3 bluebirds, 6 starlings, 2 sparrows, 1 goldfinch, 3 Eastern towhees, plus I saw a mockingbird in the neighbor’s yard. Not bad!! Kevin also saw a hummingbird which I missed, but no doubt he was correct as the neighbors have two hummingbird feeders. While they lived in the apartment at the lake, birds were plentiful. I feared a new yard with no established trees would be barren of feathered friends.

Would you believe… Steve took Kevin camping tonight with his singles group!!! ?? :-0 And there is a house to settle! So I took the night off too. Heather and I went out to dinner and had a fun girls’ gab session. I did unpack Kevin’s clothes and some of his room decorations. His last bedroom (in their house a year ago) was a dinosaur theme – one of his loves and still appropriate. But Daddy says his new room will be a horse room. WHAT???? He knows NOTHING about horses; has no interest in horses. Steve’s new girlfriend and her family of three girls are crazy about horses and take riding lessons. Maybe I need to explain to Steve that a love of horses is a girl thing – like ballet.

Moving Towards Settling

Took some boy and dog shots this morning:


I took Kevin to school, dropped him at the door, and he cried. :\ It's not like I am leaving him today. I don't quite understand his insecurity.

Today was pack-up-the-kitchen day and other sundries. I expected to have nearly everything done by the time Kevin came home from school. But... Steve and I went out for lunch which took longer than anticipated, which meant I had to go with him to his lighting store appointment, which also was a larger task than he expected. So Kevin had the privilege of helping me wrap dishes -- much to his delight!

The dogs continue to be so funny in their animated play. With all the wrestling exercise they have, they don’t need much of a walk. Good thing, as it is too hot for them!



At the new house, we unwrapped these new kitchen barstools, and Kevin posed between them. What could we do? It was picture noteworthy! LOL

Tears, Wrestling, Drawing, and Reading

Guinness and Jack LOVE each other. They are having so much fun playing! I said to Steve today that I think I will take Jack home with me. ;-)

During this morning's wrestle, Guinness was top dog, and Jack rolled on his back to succumb to Guinness. I assumed that established that Guinness had the highest pecking order, but then, Guinness laid down on Jack, made Jack squirm out from under him, then Guinness rolled over and let Jack be the winner! True love!




I stayed for the first part of school this morning again. When Kevin was busy with his first assignment for the day, I said goodbye, and he cried. ugh! And he cried. And wouldn't stop crying! Good grief! It wasn't like I was going to go to the airport and fly away. I am here for another week! The teacher had to intervene so that I could leave. When I came back to pick him up, the teacher said that he was very upset for a while after I left. Why?! Anyway, I said, "I plan to tell him that I cannot stay with him anymore if he is going to cry." The teacher suggested that I come for lunch some day; that he would love that. I don't think I dare to!

After school, Kevin got into the doggie wrestling act.




I brought some of Karin's childhood books for Kevin. Among them are some Ed Emberley drawing books. I wasn't sure Kevin was old enough for these, but he is! In fact, he adds his own embellishments to the drawings. Here are some samples with the drawing guide on top and Kevin's art below:


All of these animals -- the spider, the ants on a blade of grass, the caterpillar, the bat, the dog, the lion -- were drawn according to Ed Emberley's instructions.

Before bedtime, I noted that full moon outside was orange!!! So I hustled Kevin outside to see it! For a bedtime story, I read one of Karin and Greg's Halloween books which I brought from our attic. Then he read one of his I-Can-Read books to me. Wow! He was doing well, though stumbling, six weeks ago. He needed NO help tonight!