(no subject)
Well.
Life has turned into one giant moving fest. Back in April, my landlord told me he was selling the house, so I had to get out (he was much politer than that, but as it is my retelling, I may interpret events as I see fit). This was not convenient in the slightest. I was just about to start spring break and go to Florida to visit Wesley. Still, no one asked me before making decisions which affected my life, so I sighed, pulled on my big girl pants, and found me a place to live. Within one week I had been delivered the bad news, found a new place, packed everything, and moved everything.
The move...well, it happened. Johanna and Beth kindly came over one day and packed my kitchen, which I so appreciate, and I packed the rest myself. On the day of the move, my new landlords told me I wasn't actually allowed in the place that day, despite having been previously told I could. This was most displeasing as I had help coming over and had already paid for the truck. After conferring with my council of movers, we decided to go ahead and load the truck so we could unload it immediately after school the following day. Enough people showed up to assist with packing the truck that it wasn't too painfull, despite the elevated levels of stress I was feeling (example: I actually initiated a hug, which I came to regret 24 hours later). I spent the night at Johanna's, and pretended all through school the next day that I wasn't stressed. Zero people believed me.
The move into my new place wasn't quite so smooth. Two boys had promised me they'd show up to help with the move, but true to their characters, neither showed nor texted or called to let me know of their absence. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever, and at that point, Harry Potter pretty much lost it forever. Captain America, on the other hand, was merely close to losing it. It ended up being me, Johanna, Beth, and their brother Ben who moved the entirety of my things into my new house--which, by the way, wasn't ready yet. The outlet plates and lightswitch covers, as well as the blinds, were not yet installed, so everything had to be shoved into the middle of the room so the landlords could finish while I was in Florida. Again, I was not pleased. I spent the night at Jo's once again, when I could have slept in my new home had my landlords properly prepared the apartment.
I then flew to Florida to visit Wesley, leaving my things a giant mess. When I returned, my promised help in assissting with my furniture moving, despite having guaranteed to be available, changed their minds and chose to do other things, leaving me entirely on my own. I, being stubborn, a bit of a grudge holder, and with plenty of fire to tell people to "shove it," put my home together almost completely by myself. I did manage to convince Eliza to come and help me arrange my kitchen, and she kindly lent me the use of her husband for the sole purpose of lifting the top of my curio cabinet in place.
I have found pretty much everything at this point. The one casualty of the move has been my reclining lever on my reclining couch. Don't know who took it off or where they stashed it; all I know is it is gone and nowhere in my house. The carnal and devilish part of me wishes to hold a grudge, as I have a pretty good idea who misplaced it, but the striving-to-be-a-better-person part of me likes to remind myself that instead I must be grateful for the help I was offered. As I'm not overly forgiving, you can guess which part of me is winning.
My new place is decent. There is more natural light, a lot of closet space, off-street parking, my own address, and fewer spiders (I think), but I can hear everything going on in the apartment upstairs. They aren't loud or annoying neighbors--the building was just constructed so poorly I can hear everything.
Thus ends Amy's moving saga
A month and a half after my unexpected move, Kyle got offered a job in Nashville, and within a week Eliza had to pack up their whole house and prepare it for a move. I was suitably distressed and upset about this, but that tale is not for this entry. I helped pack a little, but mostly I took the children to make the packing process easier, to the point that Ruby and Sherman spent the night with me before the packig of the POD (pod? Pod? P.O.D.? I actually don't know). It was the greatest night of my life, and will forever hold a precious, precious space in my heart.
I flew out to Ohio the day before Eliza and family moved to help Matthew and Allison with their move. I packed a few boxes, but honestly didn't do much. My main role in being there was to help Allison fly to Utah with the kids, as flying with two children can be difficult, especially when one demon child takes great pleasure in running away (but I can run faster, you little scramp!). Also she was seven months pregnant, which brings about it's own complications (like frequent bathroom trips).
Allison then asked if I would drive with her to Boise and assist with the unpacking of the house. Given that my summer plans just moved to Nashville, I said yes and made the six hour trek to her new home, where I helped unload the truck and unpack everything.
I have to say, moving a family is a different experience than moving my single self, and not just because they have more stuff. I kept looking around, thinking how they had this beautiful home with children coming to occupy it. Me, I got to return to my solitary dwelling to be alone, where I make all the decisions regarding placement of things because there is nobody else to care. Living alone did not use to feel so lonely, back when I had babies to occupy my spare time.
At least nobody else is planning to move in the near future. I've had it with cardboard boxes and lifting heavy things.
In other news, now that my summer plans are gone, I am alone all the time. I find it doesn't matter what time I wake up, because the earliest I ever have plans is 5:30 as all of my friends work all day. Consequently, I stay up late (three, four, five in the morning) reading, writing, and watching Star Trek. I awaken around noon, laze in bed until fourish, finally bother to shower and get ready, then do whatever event I have planned for the evening, if I have one planned. While a lazy way to spend my time, it's also somewhat enjoyable. Nobody is telling me to cease with my excessive reading (and trust me, it's a bit excessive), and since I'm always looking for more time to read, I find that delightful.
I finally finished Star Trek: Next Generation (it only took me five years! Huzzah!) and have started watching Voyager, which I love with a passion. I just watched the creepiest Star Trek episode I have ever seen (season 2 ep 23); it would give Barbas (Charmed) a run for his money. I recommend watching it, just not alone and at night like I did. If I had known Star Trek could be creepy, I would have waited for daylight.
This might come as a shock to many of my family members, but Captain Janeway has always been my favorite Starfleet captain. As a little girl, I remember seeing her and thinking, "A girl! If she can be captain, then I can one day be a captain of a starship!" Nevermind that we haven't had man exploration past the moon and warp technology doesn't exist; all that mattered was it was possible.
Now, watching the show again as an adult, I deeply admire Janeway's beliefs, convictions, and the authority with which she commands her ship. She isn't the stereotypical "badass" women often have to be in film to show they can "hack it" in a man's world. She has compassion and shows it freely. She uses her emotions to help make decisions, along with consulting logic. She doesn't want to be called "ma'am" or "sir," but rather "Captain" as befits her rank. She listens to the counsel and advice she is given, but won't be swayed by external opinions which contradict her beliefs. She compromises where she can, but when she can't, she grows roots and tells the other person to move. She is a wonderful role model.
I also love the other characters and their interactions. My favorite relationship is the friendship between B'Elanna and Harry. The doctor's snark is my favorite thing, and I love how Neelix is the self-appointed morale officer. And Tom Paris still makes my little heart go pitter patter exactly like he did when I was eight. :) Watching this show has been a special treat, and I'm thrilled I have five more seasons to go.
And now I sign off. I have more Voyager to watch, a thousand words to write, and a comfy bed to lounge in (and theoretically sleep in at some point).
Life has turned into one giant moving fest. Back in April, my landlord told me he was selling the house, so I had to get out (he was much politer than that, but as it is my retelling, I may interpret events as I see fit). This was not convenient in the slightest. I was just about to start spring break and go to Florida to visit Wesley. Still, no one asked me before making decisions which affected my life, so I sighed, pulled on my big girl pants, and found me a place to live. Within one week I had been delivered the bad news, found a new place, packed everything, and moved everything.
The move...well, it happened. Johanna and Beth kindly came over one day and packed my kitchen, which I so appreciate, and I packed the rest myself. On the day of the move, my new landlords told me I wasn't actually allowed in the place that day, despite having been previously told I could. This was most displeasing as I had help coming over and had already paid for the truck. After conferring with my council of movers, we decided to go ahead and load the truck so we could unload it immediately after school the following day. Enough people showed up to assist with packing the truck that it wasn't too painfull, despite the elevated levels of stress I was feeling (example: I actually initiated a hug, which I came to regret 24 hours later). I spent the night at Johanna's, and pretended all through school the next day that I wasn't stressed. Zero people believed me.
The move into my new place wasn't quite so smooth. Two boys had promised me they'd show up to help with the move, but true to their characters, neither showed nor texted or called to let me know of their absence. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever, and at that point, Harry Potter pretty much lost it forever. Captain America, on the other hand, was merely close to losing it. It ended up being me, Johanna, Beth, and their brother Ben who moved the entirety of my things into my new house--which, by the way, wasn't ready yet. The outlet plates and lightswitch covers, as well as the blinds, were not yet installed, so everything had to be shoved into the middle of the room so the landlords could finish while I was in Florida. Again, I was not pleased. I spent the night at Jo's once again, when I could have slept in my new home had my landlords properly prepared the apartment.
I then flew to Florida to visit Wesley, leaving my things a giant mess. When I returned, my promised help in assissting with my furniture moving, despite having guaranteed to be available, changed their minds and chose to do other things, leaving me entirely on my own. I, being stubborn, a bit of a grudge holder, and with plenty of fire to tell people to "shove it," put my home together almost completely by myself. I did manage to convince Eliza to come and help me arrange my kitchen, and she kindly lent me the use of her husband for the sole purpose of lifting the top of my curio cabinet in place.
I have found pretty much everything at this point. The one casualty of the move has been my reclining lever on my reclining couch. Don't know who took it off or where they stashed it; all I know is it is gone and nowhere in my house. The carnal and devilish part of me wishes to hold a grudge, as I have a pretty good idea who misplaced it, but the striving-to-be-a-better-person part of me likes to remind myself that instead I must be grateful for the help I was offered. As I'm not overly forgiving, you can guess which part of me is winning.
My new place is decent. There is more natural light, a lot of closet space, off-street parking, my own address, and fewer spiders (I think), but I can hear everything going on in the apartment upstairs. They aren't loud or annoying neighbors--the building was just constructed so poorly I can hear everything.
Thus ends Amy's moving saga
A month and a half after my unexpected move, Kyle got offered a job in Nashville, and within a week Eliza had to pack up their whole house and prepare it for a move. I was suitably distressed and upset about this, but that tale is not for this entry. I helped pack a little, but mostly I took the children to make the packing process easier, to the point that Ruby and Sherman spent the night with me before the packig of the POD (pod? Pod? P.O.D.? I actually don't know). It was the greatest night of my life, and will forever hold a precious, precious space in my heart.
I flew out to Ohio the day before Eliza and family moved to help Matthew and Allison with their move. I packed a few boxes, but honestly didn't do much. My main role in being there was to help Allison fly to Utah with the kids, as flying with two children can be difficult, especially when one demon child takes great pleasure in running away (but I can run faster, you little scramp!). Also she was seven months pregnant, which brings about it's own complications (like frequent bathroom trips).
Allison then asked if I would drive with her to Boise and assist with the unpacking of the house. Given that my summer plans just moved to Nashville, I said yes and made the six hour trek to her new home, where I helped unload the truck and unpack everything.
I have to say, moving a family is a different experience than moving my single self, and not just because they have more stuff. I kept looking around, thinking how they had this beautiful home with children coming to occupy it. Me, I got to return to my solitary dwelling to be alone, where I make all the decisions regarding placement of things because there is nobody else to care. Living alone did not use to feel so lonely, back when I had babies to occupy my spare time.
At least nobody else is planning to move in the near future. I've had it with cardboard boxes and lifting heavy things.
In other news, now that my summer plans are gone, I am alone all the time. I find it doesn't matter what time I wake up, because the earliest I ever have plans is 5:30 as all of my friends work all day. Consequently, I stay up late (three, four, five in the morning) reading, writing, and watching Star Trek. I awaken around noon, laze in bed until fourish, finally bother to shower and get ready, then do whatever event I have planned for the evening, if I have one planned. While a lazy way to spend my time, it's also somewhat enjoyable. Nobody is telling me to cease with my excessive reading (and trust me, it's a bit excessive), and since I'm always looking for more time to read, I find that delightful.
I finally finished Star Trek: Next Generation (it only took me five years! Huzzah!) and have started watching Voyager, which I love with a passion. I just watched the creepiest Star Trek episode I have ever seen (season 2 ep 23); it would give Barbas (Charmed) a run for his money. I recommend watching it, just not alone and at night like I did. If I had known Star Trek could be creepy, I would have waited for daylight.
This might come as a shock to many of my family members, but Captain Janeway has always been my favorite Starfleet captain. As a little girl, I remember seeing her and thinking, "A girl! If she can be captain, then I can one day be a captain of a starship!" Nevermind that we haven't had man exploration past the moon and warp technology doesn't exist; all that mattered was it was possible.
Now, watching the show again as an adult, I deeply admire Janeway's beliefs, convictions, and the authority with which she commands her ship. She isn't the stereotypical "badass" women often have to be in film to show they can "hack it" in a man's world. She has compassion and shows it freely. She uses her emotions to help make decisions, along with consulting logic. She doesn't want to be called "ma'am" or "sir," but rather "Captain" as befits her rank. She listens to the counsel and advice she is given, but won't be swayed by external opinions which contradict her beliefs. She compromises where she can, but when she can't, she grows roots and tells the other person to move. She is a wonderful role model.
I also love the other characters and their interactions. My favorite relationship is the friendship between B'Elanna and Harry. The doctor's snark is my favorite thing, and I love how Neelix is the self-appointed morale officer. And Tom Paris still makes my little heart go pitter patter exactly like he did when I was eight. :) Watching this show has been a special treat, and I'm thrilled I have five more seasons to go.
And now I sign off. I have more Voyager to watch, a thousand words to write, and a comfy bed to lounge in (and theoretically sleep in at some point).