Posted by Dena on September 28, 2005, at 12:33:14
In reply to Hey Dena, good to see you back!, posted by crazy teresa on September 28, 2005, at 12:11:44
Hey Teresa!
I'm in my new home in Oregon...
But settled? What would that look like?!?
We had our share (plus someone else's) of SNAFU's in this move... movers showed up 2 days late in Virginia, so I had to fly out with the kids by my lonesome (husband and eldest son followed 2 days later).
On this end, the unloaders, whom we scheduled and confirmed in advance, called the night before the moving van showed up to say, "We overbooked -- tough luck", and we scrambled to find helpers... a wonderful family here in town, as well as some folks I'd met through another website, all showed up to help, and we found some professionals at the last minute.
We moved into a slightly smaller home than we had, so despiste the 4 "decluttering" yard sales we had prior to moving, the house was just overflowing with stuff! Looked like the house threw up onto the porch and yard! Until we remodel the basement, adding two bedrooms, a bathroom, storage, etc...3 of my sons have no bedrooms, and are sleeping on the upper landing (large landing).
Within the first 2 weeks, all (no exaggeration - ALL) of our major appliances died... and we had no less than 3 viruses plow through our home (with all 9 of us vomiting at the same time, it became clear how abysmal it is to have only 2 toilets amongst us!).
AND... when I was the only one who didn't "bounce back" from the virus... I went to the doctor (kept having "vertigo" feelings in the uneven bathroom and kitchen)... and discovered that I'm PREGNANT!!! Yeppers, as I turn 44 soon, I'll be having baby #8 (or #10, counting the two already in heaven). NOT my plan... but I submit to God's plan, since it's His world, His universe, and I'm His creation... no sense in fighting all that!
It's a blessing to be sure, but a blessing to contend with right now...! Not sure where to put this kid... this house was bought with 7 kids in mind... well, the closet IS rather large...!
That's what I get for enjoying more than a year now of a "second honeymoon" with my husband of 19 years!
I'm smack-dab in the throes of unpacking, decorating, painting, fixing, cleaning, hauling, homeschooling, acclimating, etc! Don't FEEL settled, but we see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Our two vehicles (a much-needed 15-passenger van, and my husband's pick up truck) were shipped, via hauler, from Virginia on Aug 12... and they haven't arrived yet. Yep - that's over 6 weeks without or vehicles. We're renting a Ford Focus, which adds up daily, and it's a joke -- it holds 4.5 people,and we're a family of 9!
Seems that the hauler had to make a trek down to Louisiana first... and then Katrina hit. And then FEMA got involved, and apparently our hauler is stuck "in line" with hundreds of other rigs, waiting for FEMA to unload each and every vehicle... or whatevertheheck they're doing so dang slooooooowwwwwly! The driver, who doesn't "believe" in technology doesn't even have a cell phone, and won't return pages, so we have no CLUE where he is, or when we'll get our vehicles (which are crammed full of stuff we need: towels, bedding, etc.).
Frustrating doesn't begin to touch the sentiment...!
However, we love this new town! Small, friendly place, filled with real folks who say hi, are generous and kind (with exceptions, of course). We live right on Main Street, and get to interact with all manner of passers-by (with a good-neighbor pickett fence to keep the kids out of the way of the logging trucks that also pass by... this is a mill town). We homeschool our brood (though we're not militant or rabid about it), and the local high school allows us to partake in any sort of class/elective we want! Un-HEARD of in most communities! My son is on the varsity soccer team, and he and my teen daughter both sing in the choir... and they have a program here that includes a FREE year of college (including books, tuition, and transportation -- what a GIFT!).
In the meantime, I'm transforming this old Victorian into a bright and whimsical place... so much fun to go "over the top" and break all the "decor rules"!
My kids are making friends, as am I, and we're searching for a new church "home" (more churches and bars per capita in this town than any town on the west coast!!! I know which ones Jesus would be in! ;) ).
thanks for asking... and welcoming me "back" (though THIS time, I wasn't blocked!).
I welcome prayers for the safe and speedy return of our vehicles... and to learn the lessons of patience and TRUST in the meantime! Oh yeah, always lessons about patience and trust - sheesh!
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:559934
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20050811/msgs/560653.html