Last post from Boone

Laurel just left so I figured it an opportune time to post real quick before I tackle the last two rooms. Laurel, you are a treasure for helping me tonight!!!! Rob is at work doing silly stuff….ha ha ha ha.

So the truck is all packed up. Everything JUST fits. OK so it is not ALL packed up. But it is sure close. We are down to the random stuff that ends up being packed in the garbage cans and laundry baskets. I have YET to touch the top of my dresser. That shouldn’t take too long. Then there’s a few things in the bathroom.

The plan is to hit the road by 8 am to get to Walhalla by noon. Unload and LOAD a few items into and out-of their basement. Then to hit the road again by 1 or 2 for a 2 hour drive to Greenwood. UNLOAD it all there into a garage in the apartment complex. The when the apartment is ready, move it over to our apartment!

So, we have no place to go yet!! The apartment is still occupied until the end of June. Then hey need to go in and check for and make repairs to the place as needed. So we hope to be in EARLY July.

We will break down the computer (probably in the morning) and not have it at home again for quite some time. I will have access to the internet from the apartment complex…when I get there! So then I will post periodically.

Until then. Thank you to so many of you who have supported and loved us in Boone. There are a lot of mixed emotions for all of us. I look forward to hearing from you so email me…or post to my blog when you can!!! See you when I come around from the dark side of the moon.

So, here are some pictures…

Here's a picture of the movers in action...(the helmet is because he would ride his bike in between the dolly runs!)

Rob had a great going-away party this evening.
(the guest of honor)
(a gift for him to remember them by...a t-shirt)
(his cake)
(some of the children)(there were much more pictures...just not a lot of room. Wveryone wants to see the childrne anyway don't they!)

I can't remember if I posted these...so enjoy anyway!
I took this picture for Laurel when I was at Clemson last week...
We have had A LOT of rain the past few days...and Nicholas has loved playing in the mud! He was covered. He asked Rob to throw mud balls at him. So when he was done, Rob placed his muddy hand on Nicholas......Nicholas seems so big until that moment...
The living/dining room Tuesday morning...
The children's bedroom...
Nicholas and I found a moth when we came home this evening. Pretty cool. I like the newness and change that it represents to me during this time...
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Nicholas' going-away-birthday party!

Today we packed more and played at the park a bit before a nice (but short) nap time, Then it was back to the park for Nicholas’ going away birthday party. I think he had a GREAT time…despite the rain. When I say rain…I mean BIG rain, thunder, and lots of lightening. The children had almost an hour to ride bikes and play in the field before we decided to move the party to CiCis! (where we were going to order takeout anyway!)

It was nice to see friends like George and Annette. They report that Duncan is quite well. They thoroughly enjoy having him in their home. I am so happy they were willing to “adopt” him form us 2 years ago. George showed me marks from Duncan’s claws….apparently Duncan likes to play all the time!!! Laurel stopped in to see the children as well. She missed Robin’s party so brought her a Little Pony! Robin LOVES Laurel. Always nice to hang with her. Hayes had to leave when the storm hit. Dad had little sister with him, so the storm was TOO much! But Nicholas has a play date with Hayes this week. That will be nice!!! We missed Bradley when the storm hit. They couldn’t make I to CiCi’s.

We invaded the restaurant with a surprise party for CiCi’s. We all knew about it, but they were surprised to have 16 people rush in, freezing cold and soaking wet! Thankfully the Taylor’s got there early and got tables all together and told the poor CiCi’s staff. We all ate more than we should have and then enjoyed some of Nicholas’ Orange Dreamsicle cake! (you have to try it. It is Nicholas’ favorite!)

It was good the see the boys too. Boy are they all SO big! Seems like years since we hung out last…guess it was. Can’t wait to hear all about it when Sundai and Philip’s ship comes in! Poor Andie had to sit on the other end of the table from her buddy Rob. She seems to really like him. He plays with her and really pays attention to her. Little girls seem to like that he is SO BIG and so gentle all the same. Molly too, boy, she loves Rob as well.

The worst picture here is when Matt realized that we are moving and this is probably the last time we’d see him…for a while at least!

U-Halt not U-Haul!

No truck.

No move this weekend.

It is a long episode, but to sum it up….We reserved a U-Haul and they did not provide it to us! We did not double book a truck, ‘cause WE RESERVED ONE THAT WAS GUARANTEED!!! So, now the plan is to pack up the BUDGET rental truck on Tuesday evening and head to SC Wed am. For good. No going back and forth this time.

I’m sure some wonderful friends from here will help us get the stuff into the truck Tuesday. Then Mom and Ray will help at their house (maybe some friends too), then a college buddy still in G-wood is going to help when we get there Wednesday afternoon. I can’t tell you how nice it is going to be to have that pool there while we unload the truck!!!

Anyway. We’re here this weekend still. Nicholas’ party is scheduled for a VERY RAINY Sunday evening. So we may have to change plans to bowling or movies!

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my sweet reward

I tell ya…it is a good thing I took Lamaze classes! ‘Breathe, concentrate, focus and it will all end soon, you will have your sweet reward.”

So we have been mad packing the past few nights. Each night we retire only after we have ran out of tape and boxes! Who would have thought we have so much stuff. The tiny kitchen we have…oh my the boxes! We are no where close to done but will be loading the truck tomorrow evening for a Sat am departure.

We went to Erin and Nathan’s tonight to celebrate friendship and visit with our dog which we will be leaving here with them until further notice. She loves them and they are So good to her. But Nicholas broke my heart. He just wanted to lay with her, sit by her, pet her, and love on her all evening. THEN saying goodbye was the WORST!!! He completely understands this move and what it means. Although he is very excited about being closer to Momma El…that is the ONLY thing!!! He is very sad about leaving his friends (I knew that) and his dog (didn’t realize that)! He kept hugging her goodbye and telling her he’d miss her. The boy and his dog. I was in tears over his anguish…even now. We will come for her when we have a place. In the meantime I will try my best to entertain and occupy them throughout this transition.

I had a wonderful job interview this week. There was a panel of 5 and I felt like they were all my friends from the start. We chatted, laughed, and talked about some serious stuff. I hope they understand how badly they need me…I’m sure they do. The job would be 1.5 hours from our new home. So there will be some serious gas procurement for a few months! It was a long day (left Boone at 8 am and returned at 8 pm…no dilly dallying along the way wither!) but very well worth it!

So, we will not have internet at home for a while. I will be able to check my email and update this some form the business center in the apartment complex. I will update at least once more before our final departure next Wednesday.

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Packing and moving...

Cake and icecream were fun for daddy's birthday...

Ther was a bit of fear that the re-lighting candles would set off the smoke detectors! Eeek! Imagine if I'd have put all 35 on there.Birthday kisses for all...

The children were excited to outfit daddy's new office with cool stuff. Including this really neat robot lamp!We had a day of fun with Sasha on Saturday...And Father's day was just as it should be!

You could say this will be one of the most insane weeks yet!

Monday – Will do the morning drop-off’s to day-camp and childcare then a full day of Energy Center work and my going away party at work! A celebration with my dear friends at the Energy Center, Department of Technology, and Southface! Hunan here we come. Then…PACK!

Tuesday – Will do the morning drop-off’s to day-camp and childcare then a full day of design work at the Energy Center along with getting my portfolio in order, brush off the ol’ suit, and get in the interviewee mindset! Then…PACK!

Wednesday – Off to SC for an interview!!!! Will do the morning drop-off’s to day-camp and childcare then on the road for a 3-4 hour drive. Only to have a 1.5 hour interview and turn right around. They offered to fly me down, but since the nearest airport is 2 hours away from home….then another from the interview site…I figure I can drive in that time and not have to deal with delays and other stuff. Then…PACK!

Thursday - Will do the morning drop-off’s to day-camp and childcare then a full day of design work at the Energy Center. Dinner with Erin and Nathan at their house…yippee!!! Then…PACK!

Friday - Will do the morning drop-off’s to day-camp and childcare then my last day of design work at the Energy Center. Off to an early start packing the truck!

Saturday – MOVE stuff to SC!

In the midst of this, mom is here at Cheap Joes for a water color class and we’re not certain that the apartment will be ready for us by this Saturday!!!!

Life is crazy and full of life!

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Happy Birthday Rob!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Rob…
Happy Birthday to you!!!

35 years strong!

I love you Rob and hope that you have a wonderful day today. That Orientation goes well once more and that Debbie’s cookies are OUTSTANDING…I know they will be. She baked 35 of them right? Robin and I had fun making your cake last night. Nicholas will help me ice it after camp tomorrow. They were SO excited about the birthday gifts they picked out for you. Can’t wait for you to see them.

So we leaver in a few weeks for Greenwood. It is coming down to the wire! So much to pack and such LITTLE interest in packing it!!! It has been nice to be able to go through our clothes and stuff. Whew….how many more trips to Rams Rack? The children are a bit confused with 1. packing it up for long term storage 2. packing it up to give away and 3. packing it up JUST to move it to greenwood! Poor little things.

We’re planning a going away birthday party for Nicholas! I know he will LOVE it. So many people have said they want to come already and I haven’t sent the invites out yet!!! They’re real cute. I’ll have to post one later.

Speaking of posting Jess….WHERE ARE YOU!!!! You and yer blog have disappeared. I miss seeing your newspaper spreads.

We visited and said goodbye to our pediatrician. Boy will we all miss him!!

A gardinia at mom's house. Too bad you can't smell this image...it is OUTSTANDING!

Howards Knobb...from my back yard.

Some recent Robin-isms:

When Robin shares M&Ms or other treats she will give you ONE. You ask for “some” and get ONE. So Nicholas has been trying to teach her about “some”, and here’s a recent exchange.
N: “Robin can I have some of those crackers?”
R: “Yep. I’ll give you a full-hand” (hand-full)

At the ball field last night.
R: “bye” (to a stranger getting in a car)
W: “Who was that”
R: “My other mommy”
W: “Are you getting rid of me?”
R: “yeh”

Robin and Nicholas are always picking flowers for me. Robin consistently picks the top of the flower off of the stem. So I can’t possibly do anything with it. So I remind her, “try to get some of the stem”. At the ball field she picks a dandelion with a bit of a stem and proudly proclaims “This one has a stick on it!”

Again at the ball field last night (boy, the best comes out of Robin is public!).
R: “Mommy look at that man. His hair is sticking up” (a gelled short-spiked hair style)
Man’s friend: (laughing) “Did you hear what she just said about your hair!!!!!!”
Man: (rolling his eyes and hanging his head) “yeh”
(Friends all around are laughing)

Not much else going on…isn’t this enough?
OH...and Happy Birthday Fanci!!!

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Happy Birthday Robin!

Robin Walker Massey
June 12, 2003
10:30 pm
6lb 12 oz, 20 incles

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Robin.
Happy Birthday to you!

So much is happening these days. I have to catch you up...

Robin had her 3rd birthday party Sunday evening. It was so nice to see so many of our...her friends. She had a wonderful time. She really understood the party idea this year. So she was VERY excited and interested in all the happenings! We had CiCi's pizza! Robin's favorites are spinach or balck olive, so she had a slice of each. She helped bake the strawberry sheet cake, and put sprinkles on it! (but wouldn't blow the candles out...she chose Matt to do it) I bought some foam visors and lots of princess stickers for all the children to decorate them ( there were dragons and kings for the boys!). Robin kept opening the gifts and then tried to give them back to the person. "This is yours". Because the children were all saying "Open mine next!" They palyed inside and outside. Toward the end of the party, it bagan to thunder in the distance. She wasn't too happy about that...

Nicholas said goodbye to his friends from school this year.
We've played horse shoes, kickball, and baseball in the back yard....and enjoyed lots of watermelon, icecream, and popsicles!
Nicholas made up for some lost time on his pick up truck (has been stored at Momma El and Papa Ray's for 2 years!)
We let the last frog go and I got a great picture of it. They all looked like this one...We visited some friends in on our way to a whirl-wind trip to Greenwod this week.
AND
We found a place to live...as long as the approval process is in out favor.
Goodbye Gurrie. You were deeply loved and will be terribly missed.

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