Rush, Rush, Rush

I just read my last entry, thinking I would giggle at how ridiculous I sounded.  As disappointing as it is, though, that is a pretty accurate depiction of my emotional truth, lately.  I was going to say emotional reality, but I just liked truth better.  Which do you prefer? 

My state of mind right now it good, though.  I have not made progress in most of the things I was obsessing about last time, but I have been accomplishing a lot.  Here.  Let me tell you about my week/weekend:

A week ago today was Monday - my day off.  In the morning, Josh had made an appointment for a realtor to come and talk to me and see the house (See Nov. 25th post).  Just as she was walking in, the phone rang.  More on that later.  It was an awkward beginning to an awkward visit.  She looked around and said that she could probably sell the house for what we owe on it.  If. 

Her recommendation was that we re-paint the interior walls, pack away most of our things and "stage" the house, and that we keep the house immaculately clean, especially the base boards.  This would be reasonably easy if I lived in the house alone.  But I live with Josh, two kids and two dogs.  Our other homework was to get pre-approval for a loan, to show our seriousness and ability to move.

So, back to that phone call.

It was my mother.  She and my father had been in Mississippi watching the Ole Miss vs. Mizzou game, but their car broke down in Arkansas.  At the time of the phone call, they were on their way back to Missouri, but were going straight to the car dealership in St. Peters.  They asked if I could pick them up and drive them back home to their other cars.  Luckily for them, it was my first of two days off, and no trouble at all.  Josh met me and the kids at the dealership and we all had dinner.  Then, Josh took the kids home, and I drove my parents to Rolla.  I wanted to come back home, but between Josh's texts and my mother's *ahem* recommendations, I ended up staying the night, and driving home after she left for work in the morning.

The whole drive to Rolla, Dad kept going on about how my CRV is such a good car.  He still hasn't forgiven the Subaru for breaking down.

Got home Tuesday around 11, and continued with the million little things I was in the middle of.  I priced the oodaiko's shipment with UPS, called my grandmother about the Thanksgiving menu, applied for a job, wrote that frantic post....

Taiko was not what I was anticipating.  We did some PR envelope stuffing, but then did NOT have a practice.  I ran off to Mongolian barbecue with Julie, Kelsey and Kiyomi.  I feel so decadent.

Wednesday, the kids were home from school, so I didn't work.  I don't know why I was so thrown off by that.  My brain just thought I had one day of work before Thanksgiving, and one after.  I spent the day doing laundry and packing for myself and the kids.  I cooked, too.  What did I make?  Oh, yeah!  I made spaghetti with cream cheese in the sauce.  I'd never tried it before.  A huge success.

Thursday, of course, we all got ready early and left as soon as we could to get to Versailles.  I had spoken to Gran the day before and knew that she was going to have a lot of food, so I decided to bring A) grape tomatoes, and B) my yellow cake with cinnamon apples that Josh loves.  I made it in the cathedral bundt cake pan to make it extra fancy.  We got to Gran's, and I helped a little, but really I wasn't needed much.

As usual, it was a crowded, happy, slightly chaotic day.  Hannah did not bring her new(ish) boyfriend, because he was moving that day, and Fawn did bring hers.  So glad he was so comfortable around so many new people.  Personally, I don't think we're particularly scary, but I'm not sure all agree..  ;)  It was really sad not to have Sky and Kelsey, since they are always there, and I had been hoping for some Walters kids, but at least they were mostly together...just elsewhere.  Mom's cousing Ricky brought his daughter, Erin, who I am quite fond of, and her husband, Eric, who we always enjoy.  Mackenzie was driving up that morning, so she was the last to arrive - around 3:30.  Luckily, we were staying at Josh's family's condo at the lake, and didn't have far to drive, so we were still about.  Had a great time seeing all the aunts and uncles.  I think it was after 6 when we left for the condo.

The condo was very, very cold.  We don't appreciate the fact that central heating pre-heats our houses in cold weather.  Imagine back in the day when you walked into freezing cold buildings and then had to build a fire.  Can't imagine.  In the morning, we had leftover apple cake for breakfast, then went to the Outlet Mall. 

I am not the Black Friday type.  First of all, I'm not much of a shopper.  Well, not for pleasure, anyway.  Usually, I have a list.  I try to see if I can get stuff on the list for extra cheap.  Sometimes, something is on the list and I find it and won't buy it because I don't find it worth the price.  And I'm not into new technology that no one else has yet, so the thrill of Black Friday isn't really something that I can share.  Josh, however...

Anyway, we waited until the civilized hour of 9ish before heading over, and even then I had a clear idea of shopping only for Christmas clothes for the kids.  We did, in fact, find some.  Also, Josh replaced my shoes that I was moaning about in the earlier post.  It was quite extravagant.  I have been told to consider it a Christmas present.  *sigh*  How un-Christmas-like.  Josh also got a few works shirts.  Abbie found a bathing suit for 2 dollars.  Grant got a funny t-shirt.  I was not permitted to get cookies from Harry and David's, but it was otherwise a very indulgent day.  We had lunch at the condo with Josh's mom and dad and Mariah, but it was....awkward.  Mariah kept pretending that she didn't hear people.  Then we drove home.

Naturally, after a busy two days away from home, we got up Saturday morning and drove to Wentzville. 

I just wanted to say that.  What really happened was this:  I came home to a phone message saying that I did NOT have to work on Saturday, so I immediately made plans with a dear friend who was only in town from Chicago for the day.  We had breakfast.  We were going to meet at Denny's in Lake St. Louis (Trivia!  Josh and I first met there in 1999.), but it was closed for remodeling.  We went to St. Louis Bread Co. instead.  After a long and lovely time, we parted ways.  Josh and the kids had dropped me off, and after fetching me, we all stopped in Wentzville to run errands.  The kids and Josh got haircuts, and then we bought paint and supplies.

Then we came home and prepped the living room and hallway.  Dinner was Breakfast For Dinner, including crepes in the pan my Grandmother gave me for my birthday.  Yesterday - we painted, and then I made another new recipe - apple and cheese soup.  Today, while I am getting a lot of little things done, I will also be replacing the outlet and light switch covers.

So, I have accomplished much, and feel reasonably good.  Three new recipes tried, a room and hallway painted, Christmas clothes for kids bought. 

Today is my day of rest.  I do not plan to leave the home.  However, the busy season has started.  This Friday is Josh's work party.  So, I plan to enjoy the break while I have it.

Hope you are well!