We are finally, officially back to school. Yeah! Tessa is enjoying riding the school bus, has already made friends, and is off to a good start in Mrs. B's 2nd grade class. Troy attends the preschool program at Tessa's elementary school 4 mornings a week. He is happy that his friend Emily is in his class. He seems to be enjoying school and already wants to know when he can ride the bus too!
We did have a couple of warm weeks of actual summer weather. We wore our shorts, and soaked up the sun. This is officially the last weekend of the "summer" and of course it is raining today.
Tessa's soccer team, the Hot Pink Strykers, has a game this afternoon. I am hoping the rain subsides by then, but I am prepared in case it doesn't.
We are eagerly awaiting Scott's arrival next weekend! Lucy is flying to San Antonio so she can drive back with him and then visit with us for a bit. So one more week to go...the cavalry is on it's way! Whew!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Zoo, Park, Allergist
We have a had a few warm sunshiney days intermixed with the gray, rainy, not so warm Washington weather. Enough to make it seem like summer, I guess. We have done our best to pack lots of summer activities in before school starts. We have 2 weeks of our summer vacation left to go.
Along with trips to the zoo, Northwest Trek, Portland, the beach, the spray park, and get togethers with new friends, we have also been to the dentist, the pediatrician, and the allergist...a few times. Although we weren't able to eliminate any of Troy's allergies, the milk allergy seems to be less severe. He can tolerate baked goods with milk as an ingredient. We also got confirmation that he has many environmental allergies including almost all weeds, grass, and trees (as well as cats and dust mites). So we will be starting daily doses of Zyrtec to the daily routine!
Tessa is signed up to play soccer this fall. Just found out last night that practices start tomorrow! Also found out that practices are 2x/week, from 6-7pm at a park about 20 minutes from our home! I am trying to stay confident that it will be worth it! I know she will have fun...and hopefully it will make Lacey seem more like home.
So we have 2 more weeks to pack in the fun outings and get geared up for school. I an tired already! I will definitely need a vacation from this vacation!
Along with trips to the zoo, Northwest Trek, Portland, the beach, the spray park, and get togethers with new friends, we have also been to the dentist, the pediatrician, and the allergist...a few times. Although we weren't able to eliminate any of Troy's allergies, the milk allergy seems to be less severe. He can tolerate baked goods with milk as an ingredient. We also got confirmation that he has many environmental allergies including almost all weeds, grass, and trees (as well as cats and dust mites). So we will be starting daily doses of Zyrtec to the daily routine!
Tessa is signed up to play soccer this fall. Just found out last night that practices start tomorrow! Also found out that practices are 2x/week, from 6-7pm at a park about 20 minutes from our home! I am trying to stay confident that it will be worth it! I know she will have fun...and hopefully it will make Lacey seem more like home.
So we have 2 more weeks to pack in the fun outings and get geared up for school. I an tired already! I will definitely need a vacation from this vacation!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Good News and Bad News
Scott calls from Texas and says, "I have some good news, ... and some bad news". The good news? He is going to be coming home after the first portion of his training finishes in September. Yippie! The bad news? He is being transferred to a unit that is scheduled to deploy to Iraq at the end of the year. Yup, you read that correctly, he is going to Iraq. I need to digest this news... I knew it was a possibility but was not fully prepared for the reality of it happening. I suspect I will never be fully prepared to be without my partner for a year. If anyone wants to schedule a visit to WA to see us in 2012, we'd love to have you!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Summer? What's that?
Well, we have made progress getting all our belongings sorted out and put away. We finally have a car in the garage, only a few boxes left to unpack, and most things have found a place to call home. I even have most of the pictures hung. It's starting to feel like home. Whew!
Unfortunately our 14-year-old kitty, Beamer (I-Beam) is no longer with us. I am pretty sure now that he snuck outside. We looked and looked for him, called and called, but nothing. He was wearing a tag with my cell # on it, but no one ever called. He was getting old, and his health had not been good since last year. I suspect he had simply had enough and went off on his own to spare me another heart-wrenching kitty death. We love and miss you Beamie!
Although I was promised 2 months of actual summer, it hasn't made an appearance yet. We have had maybe 3 warm days in total. Mostly it's in the 60's and it rains/drizzles off and on. I don't mind the weather, but it sure would feel more like summer if we were wearing shorts and flip-flops instead of jeans and sweaters! Maybe it's still coming....?!
While it's still cool here in the northwest, the midwest is suffering a heat wave. So much so that my 95-year-old Grandma Helen was interviewed for the Wisconsin State Journal for her perspective on this heat wave in contrast to the record breaking heat wave of 1936. And for those of you who know John and Dawn Ingham (my parents) you will be shocked to hear that they broke down and bought an air conditioner for the farm house. For those of you who don't know them, and/or haven't been to the farm, it may help you to understand the enormity of this purchase to know that at the farm there is a conscious choice not to include many modern luxuries in the home. There is currently no local or cable TV (occasional dvd viewing only), dishwasher, garbage disposal, or shower (claw-foot bathtub only). When Jesse and I were kids there also was no microwave oven or central heat. We warmed by the wood-burning stove in the winter and we begged for trips to the swimming hole in the summer. So I know it must really be hot if they bought an a/c unit!
While Scott has departed for San Antonio, the kids and I are keeping busy with soccer, swim lessons, and MOMS Club activities. There is no outdoor swimming of course, but the indoor pool at the high school is nice and the kids are enjoying lessons there. We still haven't found kids to play with in the neighborhood though...I am guessing the weather has something to do with this. Although school doesn't start for another couple months, both kids are enrolled. I am sure hoping that friends will be made at school!
Scott is in Texas for about 4 months at training. He should be back before Thanksgiving. We are able to talk to him by phone and that helps. We all miss Daddy!
We continue to miss Temecula and all our loved-ones there. I am quite sure they got an actual summer! : )
Unfortunately our 14-year-old kitty, Beamer (I-Beam) is no longer with us. I am pretty sure now that he snuck outside. We looked and looked for him, called and called, but nothing. He was wearing a tag with my cell # on it, but no one ever called. He was getting old, and his health had not been good since last year. I suspect he had simply had enough and went off on his own to spare me another heart-wrenching kitty death. We love and miss you Beamie!
Although I was promised 2 months of actual summer, it hasn't made an appearance yet. We have had maybe 3 warm days in total. Mostly it's in the 60's and it rains/drizzles off and on. I don't mind the weather, but it sure would feel more like summer if we were wearing shorts and flip-flops instead of jeans and sweaters! Maybe it's still coming....?!
While it's still cool here in the northwest, the midwest is suffering a heat wave. So much so that my 95-year-old Grandma Helen was interviewed for the Wisconsin State Journal for her perspective on this heat wave in contrast to the record breaking heat wave of 1936. And for those of you who know John and Dawn Ingham (my parents) you will be shocked to hear that they broke down and bought an air conditioner for the farm house. For those of you who don't know them, and/or haven't been to the farm, it may help you to understand the enormity of this purchase to know that at the farm there is a conscious choice not to include many modern luxuries in the home. There is currently no local or cable TV (occasional dvd viewing only), dishwasher, garbage disposal, or shower (claw-foot bathtub only). When Jesse and I were kids there also was no microwave oven or central heat. We warmed by the wood-burning stove in the winter and we begged for trips to the swimming hole in the summer. So I know it must really be hot if they bought an a/c unit!
While Scott has departed for San Antonio, the kids and I are keeping busy with soccer, swim lessons, and MOMS Club activities. There is no outdoor swimming of course, but the indoor pool at the high school is nice and the kids are enjoying lessons there. We still haven't found kids to play with in the neighborhood though...I am guessing the weather has something to do with this. Although school doesn't start for another couple months, both kids are enrolled. I am sure hoping that friends will be made at school!
Scott is in Texas for about 4 months at training. He should be back before Thanksgiving. We are able to talk to him by phone and that helps. We all miss Daddy!
We continue to miss Temecula and all our loved-ones there. I am quite sure they got an actual summer! : )
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Be careful what you wish for...
Well, the moving truck delivered! Bob and the crew did an awesome job! Unfortunately we grossly underestimated the space needed to house all of our stuff. We have stuff piled up all over the house, every surface is covered with some type of pile. It seriously looks like Hoarders in here ... ugh! It's like a puzzle, we can't put stuff away until we have somewhere to put it, but we can't clear a space to put it without getting some stuff put away... We have made several trips to Goodwill, and will likely make several more. We made a trip to Ikea for some more, much needed, storage solutions. The cars are both parked outside while we have the garage filled with overflow, but we hope to eventually get at least one car parked in the garage. Now I just have to put in the elbow grease to get everything put away ... somewhere. This would be a great time for my good fairy to make her appearance (hint hint wink wink).
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Our grass is SO green!
Well, we finally got all our stuff sorted, the movers arrived as scheduled, and with heavy hearts we departed Temecula. It's hard to imagine that I will ever again feel the same level of comfort, security, and love as I did on my little piece of happiness on Pegase Court...but I am keeping an open mind and looking forward to what the future holds.
After spending a few days at Grammie's in Portland, we just couldn't stand to be away from Daddy another minute so we drove those last 2 short hours up to our new home yesterday. As Tessa looked out the window of her new bedroom she proclaimed, "Our grass is SO green!". It's true, everything is green and there are beautiful plants, bushes, flowers, and trees everywhere. All that rain has to have an up side, right?! With any luck our moving truck will arrive the day after tomorrow and we will begin the grand puzzle that awaits...how to fit all of our things into our new smaller (albeit cute) home. I anticipate that we will be able to feel more at home here once we have all of the things that make a house our home.
After spending a few days at Grammie's in Portland, we just couldn't stand to be away from Daddy another minute so we drove those last 2 short hours up to our new home yesterday. As Tessa looked out the window of her new bedroom she proclaimed, "Our grass is SO green!". It's true, everything is green and there are beautiful plants, bushes, flowers, and trees everywhere. All that rain has to have an up side, right?! With any luck our moving truck will arrive the day after tomorrow and we will begin the grand puzzle that awaits...how to fit all of our things into our new smaller (albeit cute) home. I anticipate that we will be able to feel more at home here once we have all of the things that make a house our home.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
TV, anyone? Fridge?
Does anyone want a TV...not a flat panel TV of course, just an old, heavy, relic? I have 2 that are in need of a new home. Also a fridge, queen bed, side table, etc... no one on Craigslist seems very interested. Has Craigslist's usefulness come and gone?! I used to be able to "re home" my castoffs much more easily.... oh well... The garage sale was mildly successful...very mild. I made a few bucks and cleared out some small stuff. I was very grateful to the local realtor (Val Ives) who posted garage sale signs, advertised, and brought me coffee and doughnuts. I was dismayed with the shoppers who would barely spend fifty cents and asked for a bag to carry their purchase. I was particularly unhappy with the young woman who asked me for my "best price" on the fridge, then asked if I could help her move it, THEN asked if I'd knock $20 off my best price!!! NO, I will not... because that was my "best price"! Ah well. After a trip to Goodwill I can now get the car back into the garage, but still the big items remain. Ugh! ...and I haven't stopped finding things all over the house that I should have garage-saled.
I am extremely grateful for Jamie who took Troy to a birthday party for me that afternoon, and for Linda who brought me dinner that night. What am I going to do in WA without my awesome support network?! In an effort to get a jump on networking in WA, I have contacted the MOMS Club of Lacey. They have forwarded me a membership application. Makes me feel a bit better that at least I have an avenue for making some new connections once I get to WA. Not that my wonderful friends here in SoCal could ever be replaced, because they are absolutely irreplaceable!!!
I am extremely grateful for Jamie who took Troy to a birthday party for me that afternoon, and for Linda who brought me dinner that night. What am I going to do in WA without my awesome support network?! In an effort to get a jump on networking in WA, I have contacted the MOMS Club of Lacey. They have forwarded me a membership application. Makes me feel a bit better that at least I have an avenue for making some new connections once I get to WA. Not that my wonderful friends here in SoCal could ever be replaced, because they are absolutely irreplaceable!!!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Drowning in Junk!
I feel like I am drowning in junk here! How do we accumulate all these unecessary items!?! I have been sorting, organizing, and making piles for a garage sale next weekend. And boy howdy, do I ever have piles! The work is slow going though, I have the next week cut out for me. I also have 20 or so large items for sale on craigslist. The plan is to not have to unpack, and find a place for, anything extraneous once we get to WA.
Those who have know us for a while, know that we have moved quite a few times. Each time we move I get rid of tons of stuff...and each time I unpack in a new house I feel like I saved too much. I can't imagine living in the same house for years and years, never beeing forced to weed things out......I am starting to understand how hoarding gets started! Seriously!
Shout out this week goes to Val Ives - the local realtor sponsoring next Saturday's neighborhood garage sale....she provides advertising, signage, doughnut and coffee! Yippie!
Those who have know us for a while, know that we have moved quite a few times. Each time we move I get rid of tons of stuff...and each time I unpack in a new house I feel like I saved too much. I can't imagine living in the same house for years and years, never beeing forced to weed things out......I am starting to understand how hoarding gets started! Seriously!
Shout out this week goes to Val Ives - the local realtor sponsoring next Saturday's neighborhood garage sale....she provides advertising, signage, doughnut and coffee! Yippie!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Getting ready to move camp!
Here is my first attempt at blogging! I hope to keep any freinds and/or family who may have an interest, posted on our family's transition into Army life...and beyond. So if YOU have an interest, check here for updates and happenings. I am going to do my best to blog as regularly as possible.
With 4 weeks to go here in Temecula, I am busy sorting, purging, selling, and organizing in preparation for our move to much smaller quarters. The movers are scheduled to arrive on May 31st to pack and move our belongings to Lacey, WA. Scott has already been in WA for 3 weeks now and is enjoying himself... although I am sure he is devastated to be on his own for awhile (wink wink). Aside from reporting to his first duty station (Fort Lewis) he is busy going for bike rides, exploring the area, and getting the house ready for us to arrive. We have rented a cute little house in Lacey that we anticipate being very happy in. Scott will be back May 28th so help us move. The kids and I will fly to my mother's house in Portland on the 31st. As soon as Scott gets the movers squared away, he plans to drive up in the Mitsubishi filled with all our pets.
I am keeping pretty busy and time is flying by with so much to get done. I do have an occasional moment of panic that I only have a small amount of time left here in Temecula. We have loved living in Temecula. We have so may loved ones here!!! We will be very sad to leave. Of course, in the big picture we are very fortunate and we are excited for Scott's new opportunity with the Army ... wherever that may take us. I can certainly think of worse places to move my family than the Pacific Northwest. So I am not complaining about having to go, but I am rather sad to have to leave.
With 4 weeks to go here in Temecula, I am busy sorting, purging, selling, and organizing in preparation for our move to much smaller quarters. The movers are scheduled to arrive on May 31st to pack and move our belongings to Lacey, WA. Scott has already been in WA for 3 weeks now and is enjoying himself... although I am sure he is devastated to be on his own for awhile (wink wink). Aside from reporting to his first duty station (Fort Lewis) he is busy going for bike rides, exploring the area, and getting the house ready for us to arrive. We have rented a cute little house in Lacey that we anticipate being very happy in. Scott will be back May 28th so help us move. The kids and I will fly to my mother's house in Portland on the 31st. As soon as Scott gets the movers squared away, he plans to drive up in the Mitsubishi filled with all our pets.
I am keeping pretty busy and time is flying by with so much to get done. I do have an occasional moment of panic that I only have a small amount of time left here in Temecula. We have loved living in Temecula. We have so may loved ones here!!! We will be very sad to leave. Of course, in the big picture we are very fortunate and we are excited for Scott's new opportunity with the Army ... wherever that may take us. I can certainly think of worse places to move my family than the Pacific Northwest. So I am not complaining about having to go, but I am rather sad to have to leave.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)