Slow progress

No pictures yet because nothing looks very different. We did mostly shopping last week. We bought a few new pieces of furniture, but we will wait until they arrive to do that portion of the home decorating and setting up. Can't set up if you don't have a shelf or surface to put things on or know where furniture is going to land to hang stuff. Fred did get all my sewing room furniture pieces anchored down. Not ready to hang stuff yet there.

We have found all the hardware for the furniture, except the bedroom armoire shelves, and the tv that we had in the living room we are missing the screws for securing it on the stand. Our washer and dryer are being delivered today so I won't have to go to my in-laws to wash clothes anymore. I'm excited to wash all our stuff. Everything feels dirty from the move in the van.

It's hard to put holes in new walls, but we will have to bite the bullet. It won't feel like home until familiar things are hanging to give it a homey feeling.

Our neighborhood ladies (all church) have a monthly lunch get together. I went to that yesterday. With a bunch of retired ladies (I'm pretty sure I'm the youngest) the conversation was pretty much about our housing development and who is sick with what in the ward. I hope I get an opportunity to make some young friends, but I'm concerned that I may get plugged into the retirement crowd.

I'm adjusting to the heat. It was 80 this morning and we had our windows rolled down instead of the air conditioning. You just adjust and know when to go outside. At 8:30 or 9 PM that is our walk time. The valley here is beautiful. Lights everywhere and the low mountains and cliffs are a beautiful sunset setting. Colorful skies at night.

All our kids will probably be here for the 4th as well as my Dad will be here. I have my first baby sitting duty with Shannon in Las Vegas next week. Brian will be going to Scout Camp so I will watch Little Buddy while Shannon works in the morning. It will be super fun to hang out with her.

I have been so busy with all this newness that I have not really had a chance to contemplate my life left behind in Bremerton. It is so exciting to be given this opportunity for change. Even my eating habits have changed. It is just easier to be different. I have lost about 6 pounds already from sweating I think. Even that little bit makes one feel much better.

I had my first in a series of spinal injections for my pinched nerve in my neck. I've had tingling in my right arm since December and limited motion in my right shoulder as a result of the pinched nerve. I have already felt improvement. Next is the dermatologist to check ugly leg bumps. I have double medical coverage until the end of the month so I have been trying to take care of these things.

I'm surviving without a chiropractor or a massage. We are making all the big purchases now and then start living on the budget we "developed" to see how it feels to live on our retirement. I am still checking positions on the school district website here for a job. I want and need to work. Get me out and about and give me play money. I do absolutely love my new neighbor. Her name is Sharon. She has her own long arm quilting business. She is about 10 years older than I am, but she is a kick and a bit sassy.

Hopefully I will post some pictures soon of our home that actually look nice.

Internet!

No pictures for now. This is the first time since we left Wednesday morning that I've had access to the internet. We have to figure out what internet provider we will sign up for.

We made it safely to Washington Utah at about 12:30 AM on Friday morning. We did have one mishap. A half hour outside of Nampa ID for the night, one of the tires on the car trailer blew. We only heard a bang and I looked in the side mirror and saw smoke coming from the tire. We pulled over and called the Penske help line. Within 1/2 hour to 45 minutes the tow truck arrived. We took the car off the trailer and the tow guy took the trailer on his tow truck. Fred and I drove separately to the hotel for the night. In the morning we drove to Boise and picked up another car trailer. After the car was loaded, Fred noticed the lights weren't working. The truck connection was bad so we stayed there while the mechanic repaired it.  We stopped in Provo to take Corinne and the boys to McDonalds for a quick visit.

Friday morning we had members from our new ward arrive at 8:30 AM. It took two hours to unload the trailer. It was over 100 degrees. We are experiencing a heat wave (surprise). I have unpacked all the kitchen boxes I could find.

Scott arrived at 7:30 PM to help us. Today we returned the truck to the Penske dealer in Las Vegas. Now we are at Shannon's house visiting and playing with baby. It's 107 here. We will head back to St. George so we can get home before dark.

Tomorrow is church and visiting more with Scott. I have already changed my attitude about my new house. I had intended to make it picture perfect....but I'm going for comfort and what I am used to so I feel at home.

Pictures to follow. As Fred and I were driving out of Bremerton, we had not had a prayer yet. So, of course, it was my turn. That was the first moment I almost lost it. I was expressing gratitude for the adventure we were embarking upon, and then began to express my gratitude for our Bremerton Life.....couldn't get anything more out at that point. I had to close. I have to look forward and not behind. Letting go of our home of 31 years and our entire married life of 34 years in Bremerton I'm not ready to address.

It's great to be retired so far. We have no deadline!!! Oh and my neighbor saw my piano and asked if I played and I said yes. She was excited. She said the ward only has two pianist. So hopefully I will be able to serve somehow with music!

Retirement for me

Olympic High School staff always celebrates retirees and staff leaving at the end of the year. Yesterday was that celebration. The theme was "Leaving the Oly Nest". 

Each little chick represented one of us. I'm the yellow chick with what was supposed to be spiked hair, but she made a mohawk. Isn't this the cutest cake?

These are the retirees. The school nurse Helen Richardson, Administrative Secretary Nancy Allen, our principal Bob Barnes, Me & Bev Hurd one of our PE teachers. I knew my pose was going to be bad, but I decided it wasn't about how I looked, but the capture of the moment.

 I'm also retiring from making Fred a lunch everything single work night. I have hated it, but dutifully have performed this labor because I love Fred and it is one way I have been able to support him going to work each day. There have been lots of love notes over the years. I really have not forgotten very many times. I can say less than 10. He probably made a few lunches when I came home with a new baby....oh and when I would go on trips without him. Another pitiful pose.

Then the top off the night of retirement celebrations....We were sitting in front of the tv for a little bit and I decided to go to bed. Fred said "Wait I have something for you". He brings this big wrapped gift to me. "What the heck" I'm thinking. I open it and this is what it is.

At first I just see this bag.... and then I see the plaque he had made.

This is just about the sweetest thing Fred has ever done for me. All my years of complaining. It wasn't really complaining most of the time, but sarcastic comments like "Oh I get to make your lunch", "I hate making your lunch", "Your so lucky I make your lunch".....but I did hate it pretty much.

One more time may I say "I LOVE FRED!" 

and even more important is he loves me. :)

Going away celebrations

A happy and fun part of moving away is Going Away Parties.

Last week the gals at work threw me a going away party.

Last night, several of my favorite friends joined me

at Spiros in Silverdale. Being with my friends is just about the best

way to spend time. Wonderful women who I love and admire.

Their friendship and forever influence in my life is felt.

I have no tears yet, because the reality of leaving has not

really hit yet. I know at some point I will lose it and have a good cry or two.

But until then, this is a very happy time for me to

celebrate with friends!

The second part of the evening was driving across

the street to Origami Sushi. They serve the best

fried bananas and ice cream. They have coconut, ginger, mango, red bean (tastes like cotton candy)

and a few other exotic flavors. My favorite is coconut ice cream.

So if you are looking for a new dessert experience.....

Check it out!

Little Miss Copper

It is official!

Our first granddaughter is on her way!

Mom and Dad = Shannon & Brian

Approximate due date = October 2013 (7th or so)

Am I excited? Why yes I am. To be honest though, I really had wrapped my head around having all grandsons and feeling honored about that. So I would have been just as excited to be expecting another grandson. What is important, of course, is that Mom and baby are healthy and strong!

The intricacies of Burke Waldron

After I sold my car, we needed to take Fred's car to the dealer for oil change & stuff. So we ended up borrowing my Dad's Camry. If you don't already know it, my Dad is all about comfort and customizing things to his taste. So his dashboard has been customized. The dash wasn't lit up enough, so he added these little spotlights.

Next his custom GPS stand.

Then his custom wiring.

Here is a closeup of the tiny spotlights he installed.

Here is his auxilliary unit for whatever he wants to add to his plug ins. 

You can only imagine what his work van looks like. This is what makes him unique and wonderful too.

It's baaacccckkkk!

Today Fred & I went back to our storage unit and brought our stuff back. It does look so much better boxed up though. I'm actually quite pleased that we have done so well to get lots done ahead of time. We are still waiting for the appraisal....hoping that all goes well. The Inspection was a breeze. Thank you Fred for all your hours of work and worry.

We even have a moving sale date set for next Saturday the 11th. I can't believe we are actually somehow making that happen. I didn't think it was possible. All of Fred's predictions are coming to pass. Shame on me for doubting.

We have a pile of moving sale stuff started too. Fred is working on the garage and shed today.