Procrastination, I mean TO DO List

Sat Am Update

-Call to get the brakes checked. Done--Van will be back this afternoon
-Call to close Electricity account. Only open Mon-Fri
-Call Comcast to close account. Done
-Forward Mail.
-Change address on periodicals.
-Stop staring at the wall with abject misery.
-Stop stress-induced eating of yummy dinner rolls.

Yup--I think I'll skip most of that (rolls are all eaten-up, damage done) and get the babies all cozy for bed, finish reading The Wizard of Oz aloud, pray our Rosary, and get snuggled in bed.

Pilates sounds good too...I never did get out of bed. . .

Packing Help

A who's who of generous hearts. Not pictured are the on call car guy (thanks David), the merciful Mom who took all 5 (gasp!) of my children and left a teenage boy to haul things, and all the generous hearts who will help tomorrow, and come to wave us goodbye Saturday. It's such a joy to have friends---and so hard to say goodbye. That bottle and a half of wine (shared)last night helped though! "The girls" and I had a delightful early thanksgiving together--and hey! It's Thankful Thursday again. . .I'm SOOOO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU!

Slow Painful Godbye

Living in a partially packed house can be painful. For instance--I'm typing this standing up since the printer is on the floor where the chair should be. Also, seeing the usually cozy space barren, with boxes where toys and books used to be. All the sentimental photos and knick-knacks packed away. The familiar backdrop to our family life gradually disappearing.

I was thinking that maybe this is a glimpse of what it's like to get old. All the abilities of your life slowly being put away--running, hiking, walking etc. A slow goodbye to the physical life you've been used to in preparation for the home in heaven you are moving towards.

I don't know if Oregon will be heaven--but being an intact family again will be a small reflection of the beatific vision! For now I just need to keep plodding away because I have faith in the beauty that waits for me out west--despite the pain of leaving what I have known.

The Beginning

Today I started packing.

But first I had to wash the dinner dishes and make breakfast.

Then I had to visit with a friend who stopped in.

Then it was time for lunch--but while the eggs were boiling I started in.

After lunch the baby needed a nap--and while I was nursing him down I thought it a good idea to watch the first two episodes of THE OFFICE season one. I really couldn't leave the baby till it was over!

Then I fell down the stairs--just bruised--thanks for asking.

The noise woke the baby.

Girls play with baby while I start sorting if it kills me.

I gone something done anyway. At this rate I'll be all packed in only 3 months.

We leave in 10 days.

I'm sure to hit a space/time wormhole soon right?

Pink=Oregon Green = Maine

News Falsh

Our friend Mike and Shelby got a job in Alaska!! They are leaving on Nov 17 to drive to Washington, put their suburban on a boat, and fly up. They have invited yours truly to caravan with them. This is UBER-WWHO! 3 Adults. 12 Children. One of the adults is 32 weeks pregnant (not me!). This will be fun!

My timetable as of right now is one more week of homeschooling--2 weeks of packing. Anyone

want a couple of good old Volvo's?