A Week at Pisswilly Ranch

The trouble with spending any time in West Virginia is that I fall into the pace of the hillbilly. Which makes it even harder to return to reality.

I checked my email maybe twice a day, just because Mom’s computer is always up and running, or maybe Todd was online and asked if I needed to do anything before he shut down. There were never any emails. And I was just fine with that.

You can’t get any cell phone reception at my folks’ so there was no need to even turn on my phone. I was completely disconnected from real life. And it was so nice.

Then we get to the airport and everyone is on their laptops, or texting and cell phones are ringing everywhere, and it’s like being lost in the jungle for a long time, only to return to civilization and realize that civilization is really annoying.

Despite being annoying, here I am on Todd’s laptop, 35,000 feet over Michigan, working on this blog post. So my annoyance is extremely short lived, huh?

So!  Notes from the trip:

The Milwaukee airport employees are super nice. Going through security was extremely easy and stress free. Unlike SeaTac airport, where the employees are cranky and snap at you if you don’t move quickly enough.

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Detroit has a really nice airport. There’s a red tram/train/thingy that runs above you. It’s very pretty.

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We had a ton of family out on the 4th.   Family that I hadn't seen in ages and family I've never met.  Including my mom's sister, Jeannie.  See the resemblance?

(I don't care that I look like crap.  It was freakin' hot!)

And, of course, we had the obligatory sibling photo.

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Audra State Park, on the Tygart Valley River, has a fantastic swimming hole. No, we didn’t actually swim there, but Todd and I walked out onto the rocks and kicked around in the water a bit. There are huge rocks in the middle of the river and the water is only ankle deep over most of them. Just lovely.

 (Tygart Valley River)

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I still cry every time I leave Nestorville. My folks live about 12 miles from there, but we drove over to see my uncle and to get down in the creek. The last time we went there, to say goodbye, I bawled on the drive out. It’s just such an important place to me.

As is my great grandmother’s grave. We went by to say hi, and as I dusted off her headstone, I started to cry. She’s been gone seven years now, and I still miss her terribly.

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My parents have an incredible front porch. I believe it’s 10 feet wide and 30 feet long. I never got tired of sitting out there and just watching the birds or the squirrels or the bunnies or the deer. If you’re going to go on vacation and have set the goal of “not doing a damn thing”, my parents’ porch is the ideal spot.

(The Porch)

(Me, relaxin' on The Porch)

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Goober, their cat, is a hoot. He talks to mom when he wants to eat or wants to go outside. Mom talks back to him, which makes her look like a crazy cat lady, but it’s also comforting that she’s got a little buddy who gives her a hard time.

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Kayleigh is not a country bumpkin. I think I got to her too late. She didn’t care for the creek (WHAT?!) and the bugs were starting to get to her by about Thursday. Getting burnt in the little inflatable pool didn’t help matters, either.

We did, however, enjoy a Slip-n-Slide.  Well, Kayleigh enjoyed the Slip-n-Slide.

(Kayleigh, slippin' and slidin')

This is proof that 35 year olds should not attempt to slip-n-slide.

(Ow.)

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Traveling is getting harder. My patience is shorter and my back and legs don’t like sitting for five hours. I will never again give my parents a hard time about not flying out to visit me. I get it now.

But Todd is wonderful travel companion. He balances me out.

Oddly enough, this is the only picture of the two of us.  Huh.

(Happy, sweaty couple)

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Thank goodness I cut my hair the day we left. It was 90 degrees with 80 percent humidity and that hair on my neck would have driven me insane. As would putting it up in a ponytail every day.

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And I leave you with Ma and Pa.

Don't let that look on his face fool you.  He's really happy.

Seriously

Yes, a vacation would be lovely right about now. It wasn't even 30 degrees when we woke up this morning. We've got sun! But we've got ice, too.

A big, fat *thpppt* to Trish, Dan and Jesse, who are livin' it up in Kauai right now.

I hope it's snowing when you get back.
That'll teach ya.

The Great Migration

You've been waiting so patiently.....
Okay, here we go!

On December 29, at 1:00am, I flew to Houston. And I somehow, magically got upgraded to FIRST CLASS. I thought I wasn't even going to be able to board, but the ticketing agent finally gave back my boarding pass and whadya know - my new seat was 1B. Right on.

I arrived in Houston, was picked up by Dad, fed bacon by Mom and my other-mother Mary, then passed out for three hours while they did the last minute packing. Awoke, showered and prepared for the godparents and an early dinner.

[The Moms]

[The Dads]

I'm not as upset as I look. There were three different cameras going off. The moms were trying to blind us.

Went to bed early to prepare for the movers early the next morning, but fate had other ideas. I started on the couch, until mom got up to get on her heating pad (in the recliner in the living room). That woke me, but then I started hearing the freakin' grandfather clock gong every fifteen minutes (also in the living room). Shoot.Me. So I went and climbed in on mom's side of the bed (it's a big bed - dad was nowhere near me. Honest.) but dad snores loud enough to make the walls shiver, so after tolerating that for 30 minutes, I went to the quietest room I could think of. Mom and dad's walk in closet. I laid on the floor with a pillow, shut the door and wrapped mom's robe around me. I was asleep within minutes.

Until mom woke me by flinging open the door in a panic because no one could find me at 8am.

Anywho!

The semi-truck came, loaded everything that wasn't loaded in mom's car or dad's truck, and after five hours, drove away. During the load, however, Goober escaped from his kennel and the bathroom, so we were feverishly looking for him and determined not to leave until he came home.

Which he did, as soon as the truck took off. Big whew.

We shipped out at 3:00pm, each vehicle quipped with, among many other things, walkie talkies.

[Now would be a good time to go refill your coffee or pee. Go ahead. I'll wait.]

Around 6:00pm on Dec 29, we arrived in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Where we found a motel and curled up for the night while my other-mother Mary took off on her own and did a little gambling.

Up bright and early the next morning. Free breakfast in the dining room, and off we went!

Tuesday morning, we headed toward Birmingham, Alabama, stopping frequently to tinkle and eat. It was a no rush kind of drive. Except I had the pedal to the metal and cruised along smoothly at 75 the whole way. Mom offered to drive a few times, but I said no. She was now retired and deserved to be chauffeured like the old broad that she is. She knows I say this out of love.

Stopped outside of Birmingham and stayed at the Jameson Inn. Because it had a Starbucks beside it. Mom splurged and go me and Mary our own rooms. On our way back from dinner, I came across a stray kitty. He was crying and he was lovey and I couldn't bear to just leave him out in the parking lot.

Until the hives started.

Then he was on his own.

Up bright and early Wednesday morning (New Year's Eve!), breakfast at the Kettle (cheaper than sin!), cruise control set on 75. Oh, I kid. I don't use cruise control. I like the power.

Drive, drive, stop-n-pee, drive, stop-for-gas, drive, drive, Shoney's, drive, drive.....

Lexington, Kentucky.
Another Jameson Inn.
No stray kitties this time.
But there's a Starbucks!!

We have dinner, at which I sent all parents into a crying/laughing fit by making a scene in Ryan's Steakhouse by acting like a twelve year old because I really wanted ice cream for dessert, but they were all done and just sitting there waiting for me so I felt the pressure to get the hell out of there so I just got a couple of cookies and, by gawd, I let them know I was not happy about it. People stared. I was pleased.

Dropped the parents off at the hotel, cruised down to Liquor World (which was insanely packed), cruised across the street to the Liquor....Barn? to pick up a bottle of champagne. Korbel, but still.....It was New Year's Eve and it is unacceptable to not drink champagne, even if I was alone in my own hotel room, watching Countdown with Keith Olbermann , listening to the big party next door and talking (slurring) to my fiancé on the phone. Unacceptable.

I downed about half the bottle.


Mission accomplished.

Up bright and early, breakfast at the free buffet downstairs, big ass latte from Starbucks and off we go!

[Mary and Mom, in their matching casino sweatshirts.]

[Note of funny – we passed through Jellico Tennessee. Jellico. Say it with a thick twang. Then suddenly become the PR rep of Jellico and talk about how people need to come to Jellico because they have the THE BEST jelly in the land in Jellico. Swear to gawd! Gotta do it with a twang, though. Trust me. My mother will laugh for a half an hour. Totally worth it.]

Okay. Home stretch.

We crossed into West Virginia and the walkie talkie beeped. It was Dad singing "Country Roads".

[From the Barbour Democrat, the local newspaper]

We arrived at Pisswilly Ranch at 4:00 on January 1, 2009. Happy New Year, indeed.

Except....

For the mud. Oh gawd. The mud!

I wish I had gotten a picture of the mud. You can see how angry it made the Scotsman. He punched the mud in the face. Bad mud!!

He's very good at punching things in the face.

Anyway.

We arrived to a new home that had no furniture, no water, no phone, no TV and no internet. Oh, and no cell phone reception unless you drive about two miles up to the top of the hill.

The next day (after a four day drive) I made the three hour trip to Pittsburgh to pick up my sweetie.

[This is the part you’re REALLY interested in, isn’t it?]
[Do you need another break first?]

Todd’s flight arrived around 5:00pm, so that put us back in Belington around 9:00pm, after stopping at my now favorite chain restaurant ever, Bob Evans (home cookin’ and dirt cheap. Love it!).

Now. The scene.

It’s dark. It’s quiet (as the house has no TV – just the radio is playing). Mom and Mary are at the kitchen table, playing cards, I believe, and Dad is asleep in the front room, on the floor, snoring like only he can.

Welcome home, honey.

Introductions were had, hugs were shared and dad was awakened. We all visited for a bit, then retired to our respective rooms and respective air mattresses.

During the five days that Todd was with us, we ate and shopped, and Todd got to impress the folks by putting up towel racks and medicine cabinets. Go, Todd, go. He and the parents got along fabulously, sharing raunchy songs and calling each other names. Yes, he fit in just fine.

We had hoped the truck with the furniture would arrive while he was still there, but it was delayed in Nashville, so the day it arrived was the day Todd had to leave.
And here’s the weather stories to end all weather stories, even bigger than Snowpocalypse 08.

Thursday’s Drive To The Airport.

We had some snow on the ground but nothing compared to what it had done overnight. Our plan was to leave at 7:00am (for Todd’s 12:40pm flight) but Mom came in at 6am and said we needed to get on the road right freakin’ now.

Oh, mom. How bad can it be? Don’t you remember Snowmaggedon 08? Please…

Holy shit.

It was dark. It was pouring snow. Did you know that the roads twist and turn up there! And there are bridges. Lots and lots of bridges. My shoulders ached from tensing up. My hands hurt from gripping the steering wheel so hard. I did 40 mph in a 65 mph zone for an hour because I had no idea where the lane was. I told Todd a few times that if it was no better when we hit 79 (the major north/south freeway) we were turning around and he would just have to reschedule his flight. Dammit.

Luckily, once the sun came up, life improved considerably. I could see more than a foot in front of me and the snow let up a bit. It still made for a rough drive to Pittsburgh, but at least we weren’t in danger of sliding off the side of a mountain.

[Todd was gone, but his size 13 muddin' boots were still put to good use]

So, got Todd to the airport, turned right back around came home. And found the most interesting sight. A bulldozer, pulling a U-Haul truck up the hill to my folks’ place. The mud and ice were so bad, the U-Haul couldn’t make it up the hill. And if you remember correctly, the furniture was loaded into a semi-truck in Houston. Well, there was no way a semi was going to be able to get around the turns of the driveway, let alone, up the hill. So for a very large additional fee, the movers unloaded the furniture onto a U-Haul and brought that to the house. Believe it or not, it only took two trips.

There was quite the assembly line; truck to porch, porch to dining room, just inside the sliding door, dining room to correct room of the house. We were all so worried about the mud that would get tracked in, but there wasn’t a speck on the carpet. The inside team had their shoes off and the outside team dropped off items onto the moving pads that were sprawled out in the dining room. A very organized system.

And very tired men.

After the furniture was delivered, it was time to unpack and assemble. I spent Friday putting mom’s computer together and unpacking her desk. And here is a yet another example of where I get my organizational skills.


We also spent a good chunk of time on the kitchen. And Saturday was spent on getting the living room and front room/dad’s game room arranged. I spent all morning moving the end tables and pieces of the couch. Thanks goodness for a sectional that comes in sections. Much easier.

And Sunday, we were off to the airport so I could return to civilization and my family. The day started like any other travel day, then quickly turned into a drama flick with, as previously mentioned, me running through Newark airport, lungs on fire, backpack flopping around and me yelling “EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME!” while running on the moving sidewalk.

It’s truly amazing I didn’t fall on face.

I made it to the gate and ticket counter (while yelling “DID I MAKE IT?! DID I MAKE IT?!”) and a very nice gentleman unlocked the main door for me and ran with me down the jet way to another nice man who banged on the door of the airplane with me. My seat was in the third row from the back of the plane so everyone on board got to see me sweating, panting and wheezing as I worked my way as quickly as possible to my seat. Which was in the middle. Crap.

I don’t know if my lungs have fully bounced back yet.

I arrived in Seattle on time and my bag was the first one off the plane (probably because it was the last one loaded on the plane. And just how lucky am I that my bag actually made it on the plane? Wow). TBFE picked me up and off to the romantic and magical LaQuinta Inn and Suites in Tacoma we did head.

Yes, I’m serious.

I had a buyer’s seminar from 8 to 5 on Monday, and that’s really the only reason I came back from West Virginia when I did. And I knew that after flying alllllll day I would not be able to drag myself out of bed early enough to make it on time. So we had a nice little quiet welcome back evening in a hotel.
Also previously mentioned, the instructor of the seminar was dangerously close to making my head explode come 5pm so that made for a very long day, to say the least.

So yes, two weeks away from home, compounded with a stressful day of flying, compounded with a day long seminar, compounded with complete askewness (yes, it’s a word) in my home, well....Rae-rae had a teeny weenie little breakdown.

But all is good now!

I am back in the rhythm of things (I think), I’ve caught up on all of my blogs, I’ve gone through all of my mail, I’ve updated my Facebook status, I’ve returned my emails…..Yes, I think I’m all caught up.

Whew.

And now, some random photos for you....

[How you hold your roof up]

[Kitty lovin']

[The dedicated smoker]

[Christmas carnage]

[Tired Daddy and Goober]

Incommunicado

TD here by Raechelle's request, letting everyone know that she is out of town for the next two weeks and will have no internet during that time. I will be giving status updates on my blog for the next week, then I'll be gone too. I'll be taking the laptop with me, but it remains to be seen what kind of connectivity I'll be able to get.

Until then, have a wonderful New Year and Raechelle will be back in the blogosphere in a couple of weeks.

Cheers!

Random Thoughts

I think I'm poor.
No, I know I'm poor. How do I know this?

I've been eating Cup O'Noodles or Top Ramen noodles for lunch for three weeks. Four for a $1! But I'm kinda sick of noodles now. I'd like some fresh vegetables, please.

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And I think I'm morphing into a mom. How do I know this?
I can't remember when I painted my nails last. Just can't seem to find the time to either.

So Jamie and I have manicure appointments tomorrow evening. Gift cards are a beautiful thing.

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I haven't shaved my legs in over a week either, but I thought that might be too much information.

I did, however, "schedule" a bath for this evening, so we can remedy that. And yes, I shower every day. Just so you know....

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The Christmas cards are almost ready. The address and return address labels are typed; we just need to sign them and stuff them and stamp them.

There's another sign that my free time has dwindled. No homemade cards this year. Oh, you still get a picture, but we bought these beautiful Papyrus cards and just did up some Word labels. Much quicker.

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I bought my plane ticket to Texas for the big retirement move.

Did I not tell you about the big retirement move?

My parents have sold their house, so I'm driving with them from Texas to West Virginia, up to Pisswilly Ranch. This trip was originally supposed to be next summer, but once the house sold, mom and dad said there ain't no way they're waiting. So, we're shippin out on December 29th. I shit you not.

The ranch has already gotten about 8 inches of snow. Should make for a fun drive.

And, of course, there will be a stop in Louisiana for a little gamblin'. Cause that's whatcha do when yer retired.

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Work is work. Not too bad. Except for the whole getting-up-at-6:00am thing. Well, 6:15am. Sometimes 6:30am. Cause Rae-rae ain't so good at early.

And apparently, just typing about West Virginia makes me twang like a country bumpkin.

Yeehaw.

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Okay. Lunch is over.
It was nice chatting with you. Do be sure to stop back by.

Port Townsend - She Said

The weather, and other maddening factors, are threatening to dampen my mushy weekend high, thus sucking the humor and life out of this here blog post.

But I will persevere! Despite PeopleSoft and it's infuriating glitches and personality disorders. Despite getting absolutely drenched on my walk to my car after work (even with my very expensive rain coat on). Despite the thudding music I'm hearing from my downstairs neighbor right now.

TBBE summed up the weekend pretty well, even in his grrr state. The poor baby is in pain, he's aggravated, but still funny as hell. What a guy.

What can I add?

(Todd, fainting. On the fainting couch.)

After exploring the lovely room, we had a fantastic dinner at the Fountain Cafe.

You know how I am about eating out. Yes, it's about the food, but it's 95% atmosphere. I'll admit I had a slight panic attack when we walked in. The restaurant was extremely "cozy". Rae-rae don't do cozy too well. Makes me claustrophobic. But this place was lovely. The wine I had was lovely. The corner little window table was lovely. And having a fantastic man gaze at me from across the table with those blue eyes was just......lovely. Sigh. We're our own Nora Ephron movie.

Anywho, dinner was good.

And then there was private, adult time that I am not at liberty to blog about.

Side note: I thought the bed was just the perfect size.....for me.

Saturday was a typical blustery autumn day. Complete with a parade. We had a simple, little breakfast, I bought hats, then we headed back to the room for some ain't-got-nothin-to-do-but-cuddle-and-snooze time.

Then out for more food. And some posing in my new red leather jacket.

(Rock.Star.)

After dinner, back to the room for more adult time.

Like telling each other jokes and laughing our heads off. Yes, we're mushy, but we also crack each other up, so sometimes it just comes down to who can get the loudest snort. Good times, I tell ya. Good times.

Sunday morning, we had another lovely, chick flick breakfast at Sweet Laurette & Cyndee's Cafe. Yummy poo! I had the Frenchman's Toast. French toast with an entire baguette, powdered sugar and fresh berries. I normally don't go for syrupy breakfasts but I thought it was a fine weekend to go all out and treat myself. Ooh boy.

And it was on the way back to the car that we learned the Seahawks were down 6 to 27. In the top of the 3rd quarter. Suddenly, the vacation was over. Crap.

Now, we're back to real life. And autumn. And rain. Cow pissin' on a flat rock rain. And darkish. At 6:15pm. And cold. Turned the heat on. Brr.

I'll have to dig out my little pumkin candle holders that I bought last year. That'll warm the place up.

California Pics

I just had a thought. Which is surprising since it's not even noon yet.

I just assume that those of you who read this blog also read Todd's blog. And that's probably not true, huh?

So, maybe I should link to the pictures of California trip, too.

Enjoy!

Home....And Then Some

Yes, we're back! Todd has done a great job of laying out the activities day by day, so I really don't need to rehash all of the details.

I will say it sure didn't feel like a whole week. Although, on the plane ride home yesterday, I suddenly became very exhausted and passed out for I don't know how long. Guess everything caught up with me. Meeting new people for an entire week tends to take it out of you.

And it was good dip in the parent pool. I didn't really go under......just doggie paddled to the edge a couple of times. Which, if you think about it, isn't too bad for my first full week with the kiddies. I know Todd was worried that I was going to get sick of him but that just wasn't even an issue. He still had me laughing until I had tears in my eyes on the plane ride home.

But, oh, it feels good to be home.

I ordered in thai food last night, had a glass of wine, took a long bath and painted my nails. This morning, I ran errands and just enjoyed being back in Ballard.

And now I'm off to piddle a little more until it's time to get ready for dinner. A special dinner. Dinner at Salty's. Today marks a whopping three months with Todd so we're celebrating. Is it just me, or does it feel like three years? Hard to believe it's only been months.

Speaking of relationships, our hostess with the mostest, Beth, said something a few nights ago that made my mouth just fall open. And opened up a whole new train of thought for me.

By now you've realized that I don't use this blog to spout about my feelings regarding Todd. There's a lot going on inside my head (and heart) and he's aware of all of this, but I don't want my blog to be therapy anymore. You guys were great this past year when I needed an outlet, but now, this relationship is so.....important....that I don't want to let everyone completely in on it. It's more complicated than boy-meets-girl-they-fall-in-love-cue-mushy-music. Todd and I each have our own baggage and issues from the past and I think we're doing a fantastic job of working those things out. So please don't think that just because I don't gush about him means I'm not in love with him. I am very much, 100%, completely in love with him. And his kids. How on earth could I not be?

That said, I tend to freak out every now and then. Sometimes it's because of a trigger from the past, sometimes it's because I fear making the same stupid mistakes I made last year, and sometimes it's because I feel like I'm just sitting in the corner, picking my nose, while this relationship happens around me. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm even participating. Like I'm not in control. And that makes me panic.

So when Beth said that her relationship with her husband took on a life of it's own when they were dating, I literally gasped.

A life of it's own.

Picking my nose.

See how it's the same?

Apparently, when a relationship is right, it just happens. Momentum takes hold and you just have to try and hang on and not get thrown over the side. This is a completely foreign concept to me.

My longest and most pertinent relationship ever began with complete denial. We were just "hanging out" for eight months. Spending Friday night through Monday morning together, sure, but we were just "hanging out". We never, ever, used the term "girlfriend" or "boyfriend". Then we really never lived together those first few years. We just "stayed with each other" because of whatever the current situation was. We didn't really get officially domestic until year four when we got a joint bank account (in addition to our own checking accounts).

This is my frame of reference. Healthy, right?

I thought we were just taking it slow. Now I see I had a chain around his neck and was dragging him down the beautiful path to domesticity. A path he so clearly was not happy to be on. Oh, I think I probably knew that, but dammit, I am no quitter!

So, to have a man who is gung ho about domesticity and togetherness completely throws me. I don't know how to do this if I'm not dragging them kicking and screaming. That's my way of being in control. And you know there's no way I can drag Todd anywhere. The man is huge.

Anywho. That's what's going on. Todd is at the end of the relationship path, arms wide open, tapping his foot and waiting on me. He's probably checking the time every now and then because he's a planner and our social calendar is constantly jam packed. I can see the kids too (along with every gatekeeper I met this past week), jumping up and down and cheering me on. "You can do it, Raechelle!"

I, however, am very gingerly walking toward him, while just trying to stay in the middle of the path and not fall down. I'm just being very, very careful. The path is uneven and if I rush, I'm going to hurt myself. Todd has been down this path. Hell, you can even see his big ol' footprints in the dirt. He OWNS this path. But it's all very new to me.

I wish I could paint. It would be a pretty picture, wouldn't it?

Okay, enough babbling. I gotta get ready for dinner. It's raining out but I am not deterred. I am wearing my new gold strappy shoes! I mean it!

California, Mid-Week Update

I could give you an update on our California trip, but let me instead refer you to TBBE's blog. We collaborated. More efficient.

Suffice it to say, 1) we're having a great time, 2) Todd has fantastic friends and 3) I'm not running away screaming. Which was apparently a concern.

No, no. All is good in Taechelle land. Or RaTodd land.
Still working on it.

California Dreamin'

What to say?
I am tired
Eyes are heavy
Sat in the sun at lunch
Big mistake
Back in my office
Blah

Short timers disease
Vacation a comin'
Finding it hard to work
So I plan my wardrobe
Always take a fleece
Even to California
Just in case

Hair appointment Friday
Sprucin' up for new people
Wanna feel cool in Cali
No mani or pedi
Gotta choose wisely
More money for shopping

How many hours?
72 hours
Touch down in San Jose...?
Or Sacramento?
No idea
Don't even care
Letting someone else plan for a change

Will you miss me?
Can I blog from Todd's phone?
Maybe from our hosts' computer?
Cryptic little updates
To keep you on the edge of your seat
Don't forget the camera this time!!

How many hours?
72 hours
Sigh

I Am Home!

Let us recap!
And please forgive any typos. It's late, I've been at this for a few hours and I'm pooped.

Friday, July 4

I arrived in Pittsburgh and began my three-ish hour drive to Nestorville, WV. In a PT Cruiser. Yeah, baby.

Apparently, I just missed dad being....well....dad.

Dad, workin' the tractor.

(Oh, calm down, mom. I specifically picked this photo (there were eight of them) because his shirt isn't open. It's all very PG.)

My brother and sister and their families were already there.

Tent City, WV

After all of the hugs and hellos, Ma and Pa were presented with a cake.

They have purchased land (officially dubbed Pisswilly Ranch) and are in the process of getting a mobile home on that land. We don't know when they're going to actually get to move up there, but they're ready.

That evening, my brother set off fireworks. Oohs and aahs were heard for minutes.

Sorry. No photos.

Saturday, July 5

Mom and I got up early and went to breakfast.
Why, what's that on the menu?

That's right! Coco Wheats! And now that I think about it, I meant to pick some more up while I was there. I forgot. Crap.

Later that day was bonding with the family.

My siblings, Wendy & Shane, with pa.

Then there was dinner, and more bonding with the family.

I thought I was being sexy. No one else did. Might have been the wine.

Then my sister's husband got a wild hair and decided he was every bit as cool as the young whipper snappers, so he partook in rolling down the hill.

At least he didn't throw up, right?

And Saturday ends with a very heavy four year old sitting on me.

Sunday, July 6

Tent City was dismantled and the siblings, and their families, left for home. Right as my aunt and uncle arrived. Ma and pa took them up to Pisswilly Ranch and while they were there, my aunt collected a bag of apples to make homemade apple sauce. So, me, my mom and my aunt sat and peeled apples (which, by the way, hurts the hell out of your hands) while singing gospel songs. A very West Virginia moment.

That evening, the sickness set in. Could have been the heat. Could have been dehydration. Could have been the beef I put in the lasagna I made for dinner. Could have been the tubs of Clorox in the bedroom where I was sleeping that my uncle swears prevents mold in the room. In any event, I was miserable.

Monday, July 7

Still sick. I woke up at 6:30am then went and crawled into mom and dad's (empty) room, since they had an actual bed and I was on a quarter inch of foam on the floor in my grandma's old room with a 10 year old. And Clorox. Dad gave me a pill to settle my stomach and my mom got me a bucket. I slept until noon, and felt a little better when I woke up.

My dad and uncle had gone up to the ranch to scope out where the mobile home was going to go and what trees would have to come down and other country, outdoorsy, retirement stuff, so mom, Trent and I took them lunch. I did not eat.

Side note: this house is on the road leading up to the ranch. Would you take a look at that porch? Sigh. I want this house.

(Take note, Nancy)

Anyway, here's the property.

The First Supper (okay, "lunch") at Pisswilly Ranch

More sleep that afternoon. Which was okay, because it thunder stormed for a little while. Actually, it did that every day. Little thunder, big downpour, then sunshine. Not too bad.

Tuesday, July 8

Shopping with my cousin, Hippy. Yes, Hippy. Her real name is Diane, but everyone in the family has a nickname. Harry, Lardy, Whitty, Hippy, Gillis, Binky. It's a hillbilly thing.

I bought WV hats and shirts for Todd and the kids. Gotta represent.

Stopped by the property for a bit to check out dad's new riding lawn mower that he and the uncle purchased that morning.

Here's my response to dad's tractor photos. Whadya think? Who works a tractor better?

That afternoon, I finally made it down to the creek. Hippy took some pics, but I haven't gotten them yet. I'll have to bug her about that.

Sickness update: the stomach was better, but the allergies had set in. Nose was clogged up, I started sneezing my head off, and as soon as I would lay down to sleep, I started coughing. So I slept on the couch.

Wednesday, July 9

Mom and I spent the entire day driving around looking at mobile homes. The entire day. I've learned alot. Not sure when I'll ever use this information, but it's tucked away for further reference.

And then, I got a little alone time, so I laid down by the creek and read a bit.

Sickness update: cough cough, hack hack, ACHOO, ACHOO, (blow) ACHOO, cough cough, ACHOO (blow). Oh, for the love of puppies, shoot me. Where is my codeine cough syrup when I need it?

Thursday, July 10

After a long drive, and almost hitting a groundhog that was sitting in the middle of a four lane highway, I arrived at the airport. My brother and his family got to see a big black bear sitting in the middle of the road on their drive up. I get a groundhog. Stupid groundhog.

Note to self: my very thin, Hanes boys' white tank top makes getting through security a breeze. Use it if ya got it, right?

And the final pic of the trip.

Does a pink cowboy shirt negate the "toughness" of the cowboy himself? Hmmmm....

Sickness update: cough cough, hack hack, ACHOO, ACHOO, (blow) ACHOO, cough cough, ACHOO (blow). Todd picked up my cough syrup while I was gone, so I downed a big swig before bed and slept soundly though the night. And Friday, felt right as rain. Huh. Must have been that clean, mountain air.

Next up.....Weekend Update!

Wrappin' It Up

Must focus
Last minute binders to make
Two more meetings to plan
Out Of Office to set
Oh, but no can do

Map from Pittsburgh
Printing of the itinerary
Weather for Nestorville
What to pack, what to pack?
T-shirts and shorts
Do I need a fleece?
Duh. Always take a fleece.

Did I send that last email?
Is everything tidied up?
Does the big boss lady have her schedule?
Should I give them a phone number?
Nah. Let 'em wing it
They'll live

One last Swiffering
Desk is so clean
Papers are stacked neatly
Coffee cup is washed
File cabinet is locked
Pens will not go missing this time
Like at Christmas

Okay, it's time
Powerdown
Lock the door, turn off the light
Am I forgetting anything?
Got my glasses
Got my printouts
Left notes for the bosses

Feel like there's something else.....

Oh for the love of puppies, let's just get the hell outta here!

See ya in a week!

Din Din, Thunderstorms and West Virginia

Funny how as soon as I walked out of the office yesterday, my mood improved. Isn't that funny? I'm sure the massage at 5pm didn't hurt.

After the massage, I jaunted off to West Seattle where Shaun FINALLY got to meet Todd (or as Shaun has been calling him - Snuffalufatodd.) We had dinner at the Celtic Swell on Alki while Erin McNamee played pretty much every song from our old Guitar Night binder.

The men seemed to get along just fine. They talked about movies and music and other stuff that I tuned out because I was listening to Erin. I got a text later that night from Shaun, telling me he approved. Well, "tentatively approved" were his exact words, but I know Shaun, and I know he's just giving me a hard time. I hope. In any case, I'm glad that hurdle has been cleared. Now I just need to Todd to meet Kim-n-Tim and then the relationship will be 100% real.

What about the parents? you ask.

Mom and Todd apparently have a little email relationship going on, so I consider them having already met. Wouldn't you agree?

After dinner, I headed back to Ballard (school night, you know) and promptly fell asleep. But I was awakened at 2:30am by pouring rain, thunder and lightning that lit up my whole apartment. There had been lightning all evening, but nothing like this. Holy geez. I was *this close* to calling Todd and whining that I was afraid the lightning was going to come in the windows and get me.

Did you know my uncle has been struck by lightning? Twice?
So you can understand my fear.

In the end, I decided I was a big girl and did not need to call my boyfriend in the middle of the night just because I was scared. I did, however, unplug all of my major electronic items. Cause that's what you do in Texas during a thunderstorm. What happens if you don't? Your big ass 50-something inch TV blows up.

Ask my parents about that.

So I unplugged stuff. Including my precious coffee maker. Priorities and all.

And this morning, it's dark and rainy, but that's okay. Because in 24 hours I will be on a plane, headed to the country.

Where the forecast says scattered thunderstorms through next Wednesday.

Crap.

But it's still vacation so I'm not bothered. Now, if the creek is too high to play in, like last time I was home, I'm going to be one pissed off chicky. Here's hoping the universe is happy this week and works with me.

All Kinds of Randomness

My doctor called in a prescription for cough syrup with codeine yesterday, and boy howdy, did I sleep well last night! I wish I'd ask for that sooner. With the exception of the very high range of my voice (which, honestly, who really wants to hear that? The lower range is much sexier) I have my voice back and am singing my fool head off in my office today.

Song of the day: Communication by The Cardigans
"And I hold the record for being patient...." Ha! Damn straight, baby.

Also, making a frequent appearance: I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.
"So, I won't hesitate no more, it cannot wait, I'm yours...." Oh, Rae-rae, just give in and do it!

**********

I have gone through boxes and boxes of apple cinnamon instant oatmeal and cannot find one that is as good as McCann's. Apparently, the big BM (Ballard Market) stopped carrying this particular flavor of McCann's and now my world is completely shattered. One brand tastes like cardboard, one brand has so much cinnamon it's almost syrupy, one brand had no apple-like flavor whatsoever. I'm avoiding buying the Quaker's brand, but I'm running out of options. I may have to just suck it up and go for the unacceptable amount of sugar. Poo.

Should you see this brand (green box) while grocery shopping, please email me. I'm willing to bribe someone to mail me this stuff. Like the Coco Wheats.

**********

It's actually supposed to hit 80 degrees today. And from the looks of it, I think it may happen. This weekend is supposed to be in the 90s. Seattlites are going to freak out. If you want to see half naked people, this is the weekend for it. People start wearing shorts when it hits 55 degrees. Can you imagine what they wear (or don't wear) when it's 90? Good times.....

**********

In a mere seven days, I will be in West Virginia. Well, actually, at this time next week, I'll be landing in Pittsburgh and then driving two and a half hours to Nestorville.

Once in Nestorville, my sister will greet me with a glass of wine, I will kick of my shoes and feel my cares just slip away. I may take a quick dip in the creek before supper and then I plan to be a bonafide country gal for a whole week. And I get to see my mommy and daddy!

**********

I'm ready for this day to be over. I ate lunch at 11:30am. That was stupid. Just makes the afternoon crawl. Ack.

Well, if we want to think about this in a positive light, early lunch means I get to eat again before I leave. Round two!

**********

I'm wearing my white frilly skirt today. I feel pretty.

Funny story though. I wore this white frilly skirt to the :20 Festival a few weeks ago. And for some reason that is still not clear to me, I thought black panties wouldn't show through.

Guess what?

Black panties showed through. And I didn't know this until the end of the night when Todd and I were headed back to the car and I popped into the bathroom. Doug and Ann (along with everyone else who walked behind me that night) must think I'm one of those crazy chicks who likes her underthings to show. Which I am. Maybe just not when I first meet people.

My panties are white today, in case you were wondering.
I have to be a bit more reserved at work.

So Close....

Ah, it's almost time to hop a plane!

My day got much better at precisely 4:17pm when I shut the door to my office and walked out. I could just feel the tension roll down my back and slide off the back of my heels as I headed for the door. If I had looked behind me, I may have even seen a puddle.

If you think back, I haven't taken much time off of work since the fiasco that is my life took its turn in July. I went to Chicago for a few days (only missing two days of work) and I took a Friday and Monday off in August when I thought I was going to move. And then didn't. I think I am long overdo for an escape.

And to begin the escape, like usual, I got a manicure after work. Now my nails are a pretty, sparkly shade of red. Very festive. It gets me in the spirit.

I went to Duque Salon on old Ballard Ave. Ms. Traveler and I walked by there a few Saturdays ago and asked each other if we had been and, more importantly, how exactly do you pronouce that word? It's "doo-kay".

The manicure was cheap and the paint job is good. Except there are little bubbles now from the top coat. But for $25, I'll live. The atmosphere, however, leaves something to be desired. Maybe I'm just spoiled by Habitude, but I have yet to find a spa that makes me feel as at peace as the upstairs of Habitude. It feels like a ski lodge - deep greens and reds, lots of rich, wooden furniture, dim lights, quiet voices (my technician and I have even been shushed before) and gentle music playing in the background.

Duque feels more like a nightclub. There's thudding music playing low and since the space is big and open, it's very noisy. One particular hairstylist refused to let the hairdryer she was using drown her out so her voice carried throughout the place. The nail station is upstairs, in a very tiny loft, with windows that overlook the salon. But one of the windows is open and glassless, so you hear everything that's going on below. Not serene or tranquille at all.

When I first arrived upstairs, I was asked to pick a polish, which was quite difficult due to the lack of lighting. There was one, little lamp on the corner of the table, so every polish I was interested in, I had to remove from it's bracket, hold it under the light, study it, then grab another one to compare it to. Pain.In.The.Ass.

The technical part of the manicure was fine. The technician didn't hurt me at all when working on my cuticles, which is actually a problem with some technicians. They just jam those cuticles back with no regard to how sensitive I might be. But this woman was very gentle, frequently checking in with me to ask if I was doing okay. Point for her.

The biggest disappointment was, after the hand and arm scrub, I was asked to walk over to the sink and rinse myself off. Wha....? But I'm supposed to just sit here! You want me to walk? All the way over there? And do it myself? Hmmm. Deduct five points.

So, I think if I'm in a pinch, and just want my nails done up all pretty, I'd go there again. But to decompress and start my vacations on the right foot, I'll save my pennies and go to Habitude.

Well. Look at the time!
Rachelle will be here soon to take me to the airport, where I will sit for two hours, jotting down observations and thoughts so I can entertain you when get to my folks'. I need a laptop. You guys would get live blogging from the airport! Maybe I should have asked Santa for that instead of new pants. Crap.

Until tomorrow, au revoir.
Or, since I'm going to Texas - see y'all later!

*shudder*

Happy

Well, today is a much better day.

I finally spoke the apartment people yesterday and I'm going in to sign my lease on Friday, and then move on Saturday. I've got about six cars lined up so my hope is that it will just be one big trip. I'm going back to the apartment tonight, after I go by Jessica's and gather my stuff, and I'll start the very sad task of packing.

I took Friday and Monday off. In the "Reason for Time Off?" section (which technically I don't have to fill out because it's none of their business why I'm taking time off, as long as I have the hours, which I do....barely), I put "To deal with my break down." Let 'em check "Denied" after that. Last September when Steve and I went to Texas to visit the folks, I put "Quick trip to hell" in there. I don't think my boss even reads that part because she's never said anything.

Other reasons have been:
To watch yet another friend live out her dream of getting married in a big white dress while I stand by sobbing

Trip to the islands with my male groupies

Trip to the mountains with my male groupies

WV trip so I can chew on bark and sit on a porch for five days while contemplating the pros and cons of cow manure with my uncles

They're lucky I'm even putting a reason in there at all....