I could tell stories about this boss, but you wouldn’t believe me. I’m just going to close the door on bad management and hope that I don’t have a similar experience anytime soon.

Today seemed forever long. Work was a drag and full of junior high-ish nonsense. Got home late, after my dear friend was already long waiting outside my door with dinner and the painting dude was already here to spackle and repair holes (have I mentioned how many pictures I hang?) They waited patiently for me, however, and joined me when I finally arrived. The plumber came a bit later and declared my disposal unfixable. For another $200, however, we found it to be replaceable, and hopefully have put aside any reason to complain by the potential buyers. The HVAC guy comes in the morning to give me his proclamation on the complaint the buyer’s inspector had. Hopefully it’s a simple fix and we’ll be on our way.

I didn’t pack. I’m plum out of boxes and no one that I called had any to give away. They said I could pick up some tomorrow, so hopefully I’ll get that squared away. I don’t need many, but I do need some.

I wrote a couple checks and mailed off a couple change of address and cancel accounts letters. I need to do more of that tomorrow. I’m quickly losing track of the things I would normally be doing at this time and hate to forget a bill that’s due.

For now, however, Eli is already curled up beside me and Jonah is on the table next to the bed. I think we’re all ready for some much needed sleep. Eating a real dinner tonight (albeit cold take-out) was so foreign that my stomach is doing flips. Or maybe that’s just nerves. I only put the house on the market 18 days ago. In three days we leave it all behind.

I packed this morning until I ran out of boxes. Then I cleaned and tried to make the house NOT look like I was moving in 5 days because the inspector (and buyer) were coming today at 4. I’m not sure I was very successful. I had a long talk with Eli and asked him to behave himself while everyone was here. Jonah, too. I’m not sure they listened either.

I made a few phone calls to stop direct withdrawals from this checking account. I have several more calls to make to change my address on half a dozen bills.

And I gave notice.

It was ugly. But I stayed calm and didn’t give any retort. I just let my manager be her typical, unprofessional self. And I said a silent prayer that I have learned whatever lesson God wanted me to learn from this sort of manager that I might never have to deal with someone like her again. I am hoping in the next couple of days to at least speak briefly (and privately) with a couple people higher up in the rankings in some sort of exit interview fashion. I won’t slam my boss, I’ll remain professional, but I would hope that the input I provide might at least make them more aware of the sort of person they need to hire to replace me (no morals, no life, no backbone…)

Now I’m home, snuggled up with one cat and one dog hoping to hear that there was nothing so significant in the inspection that I can’t get it fixed in the next four days. That is, if the buyer even makes me aware of anything in the next four days.

On the agenda for Tuesday: pick up more boxes, pack a few of them, get address changed for all bills and confirm with piano movers as to exact time of their availability. Oh and sleep. Did I mention sleep? Cause I’m not getting so much of it lately!

I worked today. But I didn’t get to give notice (my whole four days of notice) because my boss doesn’t work on Sundays. No one works on Sundays. Except me. Oh yeah, reason #476 why I hate this job. I need to get through tomorrow and the whole giving notice thing and then I’ll really breathe easier.

Did I pack today? Well, no. I had help packing yesterday and so I feel somehow a day ahead. How that can be when I only have SIX DAYS UNTIL I MOVE FOUR STATES AWAY I don’t know, but work with me, football is on.

The most significant part of my day today: I canceled my cable. May we have a moment of silence please. As of Friday morning I will officially be cable-less. I’m not sure how I’m going to cope. Until a job is landed, I just can’t justify a cable bill (I figure if I have to stop supporting starving children in Africa for the time being, I have to stop watching cable). I just want to give this warning to my sis and Bear, if I don’t land a job fast that supports my cable addiction, I’ll be spending a lot of Sunday and Monday nights at your house watching football. And by ‘watching football’ I actually mean doing nothing BUT watching football.

So, that’s today. Tomorrow, I give notice and make more phone calls to cancel things and I need to get a few more medium size boxes.

And did I mention the buyer is doing their inspection tomorrow afternoon? Yeah, not worried at all. (was that at ALL convincing?)

Voila. 6 to go.

I can tell you are concerned about my lack of packing so I made it a priority today. I spent the morning running errands, picking up boxes, getting newspapers, making a stop at the bank and the post office. I had several things to get in the mail and needed to fill out change of address forms. I had written my g’ma a letter a few weeks ago, and carried it around in my pocketbook without ever mailing it. I wrote another one last week to go with it, to update her on all our activities. At the post office, I grabbed the two yellow sheets and put them in an envelope and mailed them but when I got home, I found one of the two letters in my pocketbook still. I had to call G’ma and tell her I have no idea what I just mailed her, but it could be all kinds of moving information that I had written down. Oh.My.

I decided which plants I’m taking with me and which I’m giving away. I packed 90% of my room, including my bathroom. I have almost all of the living room packed up. My former co-worker K came by tonight and she helped me pack up all of LM’s books and a bunch of stuff from the kitchen. I need to get more newspaper to get the kitchen finished up.

I spoke with the piano movers tonight, we’re confirmed for the move, but they’ll let me know if they are going to come Thursday night or Friday afternoon. I had an email from church friends saying they are coming to help us load heavy stuff later in the week. What a wonderful relief! I owe a whole post to these wonderful people.

Now I’m watching NASCAR and the heat lightning that is dancing across the sky tonight. Eli is asleep under the coffee table (standard storm location) and I’m dreading going to work tomorrow. Still can’t give notice, my boss doesn’t work on Sundays. Will have to give four days’ notice on Monday. Nice, huh?

Enjoy your weekend! (Don’t worry, I’ll do more packing tomorrow night!)

Today I:
– worked 8 hours at my former job (they pay well!!)
– sent registration materials to LM’s new school and talked with the guidance counselor about what classes he’d be interested in. He’s going to a magnet school, so he’ll get to take Computer Programming, advanced Math and Science, Band and Video Production (amongst English, Social Studies and the like!)
– Rented a moving truck (and a dolly!)
– Ate cornbread with some of Stacy’s wild raspberry jam! YUM!!

And now? I’m watching the Patriots. I know, you thought I’d pack a box or two, wouldn’t ya? I’ll do that tomorrow. I’m efficient that way!

So, we took the offer. And we’re moving….

NEXT WEEK!!!

(No, I’m not kidding)

So what are we doing tonight? Booking a flight for my moving help (G), renting a moving van, watching Karate Kid and oh yeah, LM’s busy pulling teeth (seriously). I know, we should be packing, but hey, we have, what, 8 days!!

So, now the question is, what’s going to happen first, will we become Michiganders before Newly delivers Baby Butterman? The race is on!!!

“Chris asked me to pass on our wonderful news. Jared Matthew was born on Monday August 20th at 8:15 am. He weighed in at 7 lbs 7 oz and is 20 1/2 inches long. Chris is recovering from the c-section quickly and hopefully should be home on Thursday. Thanks for all your prayers and support through this pregnancy.”

I cannot even begin to explain what beautiful people Kevin and his wife, Chris are. God put them in my life in college and I have learned so much from them about faith and courage and love. I love my son more, appreciate my blessings and have stronger faith in God because of Kevin and Chris.

A birth in the family is no small thing. I don’t need to ask God to bless their family, he so obviously already has. Tonight I ask that God continue to bless everyone touched by Kevin and Chris and their family. May we all learn something about faith and love and miracles through their example.

Welcome, baby Jared. You are loved by Mom and Dad, Rebecca and Allison, and watched over by Andrew and Abigail.

I work Mondays from 2:30-11 which is what made it especially difficult to figure out a way to get the dog out of the house when the realtor called to ask if they could show the house (the coveted SECOND showing) at 5:30. I called my neighbor, but she was going to be at soccer until after 6. I knew I couldn’t get home and back to work without taking more than 2 hours off, 2 hours I just don’t have right now.

I finally decided I would leave LM home when I went to work and his dad could pick him up when he got off work. LM could take the dog for a walk while the folks looked at the house.

Except that it started to rain.

I left for work at 1:30, with instructions for LM on leaving the house in perfect condition, taking his umbrella and the dog and sitting on our neighbor’s patio while the folks viewed the house.

I called to check on LM at 4:45, to make sure he was getting ready for people to be in the house. I called again at 5, when LM informs me the dog just puked in front of the couch. Luckily, I have previously taken the time to instruct Jacob on how to use the steam cleaner, so he was able to wheel it out and quickly scour the area.

I called again at 5:15, LM reported he was out on the patio, but it was raining pretty hard. He thought he might go across to the building across the lot and stand under the recessed roof. I thought that would be just fine, he could clearly see when people showed up and when they left so he could go back in.

I called back at 5:30. LM had decided to take the puppers to his fort in the woods, and sit under a tree. I said, “NO!! Go back to where you can see the house! How will you know when they leave?” LM agreed to go back and stand across the street, out of the rain.

I called back at 5:45, LM was on the patio of our neighbor. He said it wasn’t raining quite so hard any more. I asked if he had seen any realtors or people going in the house. He said no, and there weren’t any unusual cars out front.

I called back just after 6, LM told me our neighbor had come home from soccer and he was sitting just inside her door with the dog. He saw someone pull into the lot and go into our house. I was greatly relieved that he was inside out of the rain and that the people were finally here. I told him to call me back when they left.

I called LM’s dad and told him to call LM on his cell phone when he came to pick him up, as he might not be in our house, but might be at the neighbor’s. No problemo.

I called back at 6:35, LM’s dad had arrived and they were now all sitting in his car (even Eli) waiting for people to come out of the house. I thanked LM’s dad for his patience with this process (the poor man who doesn’t even want his son to move) and said to call when the folks left.

At 7:00, there was still no call. I called to verify that the folks were still in the house. LM’s dad tried to be optimistic, “maybe they are just working up their offer”. I said I hoped so, but it seemed like a long time they had been in, it’s not like we have a big house.

I called back at 7:20, still no sight of any people. At this point, I’m really feeling horrible that my ex husband is sitting outside my home while I’m two towns away at work, watching to see if buyers come out of my house so they can put the dog back in the house and they can finally go get some dinner.

I called at 7:40. Still no sight of people. I said, “this is absurd!” I asked LM if he was sure he saw people go inside. He said, “Yes! And their car is still sitting in the lot!” I said, you mean two cars, the realtor wouldn’t have arrive with the people in the same car. LM said, “No, they came in a green Jeep Liberty.” I said, “Put your dad on the phone.”

“They aren’t in the house,” I said to my ex. “What? LM saw them go in.” “No, my neighbor’s son drives a green Jeep Liberty. The realtor has long since been there and gone, I suspect.” I suggested they go up to the door and see if it was locked. If it was open, the realtor and buyers were still inside. If it’s locked, they’ve come and gone.

LM went up to the door.

It was locked.

At some point in the last TWO AND A HALF HOURS the nice buyers had come and gone and LM HAD TOTALLY MISSED IT.

Thank God my ex is a kind man and doesn’t own a gun.

(Good news? There’s an offer on the table today. Not one I particularly love, but there’s an offer!)

My camera took a lot of lousy photos this trip to MI. I’m not sure just why but some are really grainy!

Little Bird and George

Silly George

George was afraid of monsters in the dark. Apparently, a beauty mask helps ward off monsters! (All three kids build “nests” to sleep in when they are together. George was curled up in his little tent!)

The kids (and Eli!)

The Boys (LM and George) in the hammock

(My favorite pic from the trip!)

Solomon

Solomon

Water Fight!

HSM2 Gang (High School Musical 2- for those of you who aren’t related to any girls aged 5-15!)

The HSM2 Party!

Jules outdid herself with the theme, decor, menu and activities!

Bear even jumped in to show the girls how ACE “Dance, Dance Revolution!”

Day One: 11 hours in the car with child and dog (kennel was full) from PA to MI. Arrived in time for a late dinner and giggles with George and Bird.

Day Two: LM and I met my sister’s bff to look at an apartment. LM was utterly impressed that she manages 1500 apartments! Felt better knowing there’s a 2 bedroom apartment with our name on it should we need it anytime soon. Grabbed lunch for Jules, three kids and the babysitter and returned home to get ready for an interview. Interview seemed to go very well. The position really seems like something I would enjoy and could expand my career options with. Great benefits. Should hear back sometime this week. Returned home to change clothes, relieve the babysitter and play with the kids!!

Day Three: Hung out with the kids. We played games, we ate lunch, we ran around the yard, we chased after Eli as he chased after the cat. Friday evening the boys escaped to go play laser tag with Uncle Bear while we hosted a High School Musical 2 party for Bird and seven of her best friends. It was remarkably eye opening for this mother of an eleven year old boy, let me tell you!!

Day Four: up early to head back home; slight delay as there was some debate over whether George had seriously injured his ankle the night before or if he was just playing gimpy. Turns out (as verified by a trip to the ER by my sis) that it’s just severely sprained. Oh George. At least it’s not broken (again). Drove home and had LM picked up by his dad so they have as much time together as possible.

Tomorrow: would love to be napping, but will be at work instead.

While we were away: four showings with one more already scheduled for tomorrow. (And as far as I know, no news from Newly…)

(Pics and details to come. Tonight it’s just me, a glass of wine and a football game on the tele. I might not be awake past the first quarter, but the idea still sounds heavenly.)