Ethan and I were on our way to the grocery store, and I popped a CD in expecting the usual "Turn it down, Mom!" or "Do we have to listen to this song?" Instead I got "Turn it up! This is my favorite song!! Can you burn this for me?"
What the hell?
We got home and the CD came in and is currently being played, very loudly.
(In case you were wondering, the song was Beverly Hills by Weezer.)
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Chernobyl
On April 25th -26th, 1986 the World's worst nuclear power accident occurred at Chernobyl in the former USSR (now Ukraine). The Chernobyl nuclear power plant located 80 miles north of Kiev had 4 reactors and whilst testing reactor number 4 numerous safety procedures were disregarded. At 1:23am the chain reaction in the reactor became out of control creating explosions and a fireball which blew off the reactor's heavy steel and concrete lid.
The Chernobyl accident killed more than 30 people immediately, and as a result of the high radiation levels in the surrounding 20-mile radius, 135,00 people had to be evacuated.
Chernobyl Disaster
Elena's Motorcyle Ride through Chernobyl
Haunting pictures of a life interrupted
Chernobyl - Tschernobyl - Information
The international communications platform on the longterm consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
Children born in Belarus after the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster are often born with congenital birth and heart defects. Many develop cancer later in life.
There is a condition in Belarus known as "Chernobyl heart", because so many children are born with multiple holes in their heart.
Chernobyl Children's Project International
The Chernobyl accident killed more than 30 people immediately, and as a result of the high radiation levels in the surrounding 20-mile radius, 135,00 people had to be evacuated.
Chernobyl Disaster
Elena's Motorcyle Ride through Chernobyl
Haunting pictures of a life interrupted
Chernobyl - Tschernobyl - Information
The international communications platform on the longterm consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
Children born in Belarus after the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster are often born with congenital birth and heart defects. Many develop cancer later in life.
There is a condition in Belarus known as "Chernobyl heart", because so many children are born with multiple holes in their heart.
Chernobyl Children's Project International
Grammar
Yesterday's grammar lesson had me scratching my head. Not at the lesson, but at the 12 year old taking the lesson. He was supposed to write a numbered set of instructions on a topic of his choice, and then turn the instructions into a paragraph. He chose how to peel an apple.
He was ok with the "writing a numbered set of instructions" part, but didn't want to touch the "turn the instructions into a paragraph" part.
He argued. And argued. And argued some more.
Finally I told him he had to write the paragraph and if he just did it and got it over with he was done with school (grammar was the last thing we did yesterday.)
He disappears for a few minutes and comes back proudly proclaiming that he is done. As he is putting his notebook away I say I want to look at it and see what a great job he did.
He did the list, only leaving out a few *critical* steps. No paragraph. Hummm...
"I didn't know I had to write a paragraph!"
"But a paragraph is just the numbered list smooshed together!"
"No, I did add something! That "and" wasn't there before!"
I will save you the gory details, but here is the finished product:
Instructions
1. Buy a peeler
2. Clean the peeler.
3. Put a apple on the rod
4. Spin the crank
5. Take apple off and eat.
How to Peel an Apple
First, go to your favorite kitchen gadget store and buy a good but cheap peeler. Make sure you get one that has a crank, so it is easier and faster. Once you get the peeler home, clean it with soapy water and a sponge or rag. Make sure you rinse it! Find any kind of apple and wash it well. Put the apple on the rod of the apple peeler and spin the crank until the apple is fully peeled. Take the apple off of the peeler and eat it.
He was ok with the "writing a numbered set of instructions" part, but didn't want to touch the "turn the instructions into a paragraph" part.
He argued. And argued. And argued some more.
Finally I told him he had to write the paragraph and if he just did it and got it over with he was done with school (grammar was the last thing we did yesterday.)
He disappears for a few minutes and comes back proudly proclaiming that he is done. As he is putting his notebook away I say I want to look at it and see what a great job he did.
He did the list, only leaving out a few *critical* steps. No paragraph. Hummm...
"I didn't know I had to write a paragraph!"
"But a paragraph is just the numbered list smooshed together!"
"No, I did add something! That "and" wasn't there before!"
I will save you the gory details, but here is the finished product:
1. Buy a peeler
2. Clean the peeler.
3. Put a apple on the rod
4. Spin the crank
5. Take apple off and eat.
First, go to your favorite kitchen gadget store and buy a good but cheap peeler. Make sure you get one that has a crank, so it is easier and faster. Once you get the peeler home, clean it with soapy water and a sponge or rag. Make sure you rinse it! Find any kind of apple and wash it well. Put the apple on the rod of the apple peeler and spin the crank until the apple is fully peeled. Take the apple off of the peeler and eat it.
Countdown to move- week 2
Still packing and sorting. Quite a bit of stuff has been sold or given away, but it still doesn't seem like enough. Once I tackle the garage I am sure that will change.
This is what happens when you are afraid to put anything in your garage unless it is in a plastic tote.
The area has now become a dumping ground for all things homeless. There is the moving supplies, the old picture waiting to be fixed, the printer on a box, briefcase (which at least now isn't just being left in the van for the boys to trip over,) co-op stuff, library books... Most of today will be spent trying to bring some order back to this house. If you don't hear from me by tomorrow, send help. And cookies.
I need to run to the store for a few things and didn't feel like going out last night or taking Marty to work at 5am, so I decided to walk. Of course, now it is raining. Figures!
Traverse City was fun! The scores weren't high enough for either team to progress to worlds (thank god!) but both teams had a lot of fun. That's what is important.
Ethan won a pool party at out local library. Twenty five kids for three hours. He was so excited! I am gad he won... every book on that list was an absolute struggle for him to read, but he did it. (With lots of help from me, of course.) He has made and changed his guest list a few times so who knows who will make the final cut!
This is what happens when you are afraid to put anything in your garage unless it is in a plastic tote.
The area has now become a dumping ground for all things homeless. There is the moving supplies, the old picture waiting to be fixed, the printer on a box, briefcase (which at least now isn't just being left in the van for the boys to trip over,) co-op stuff, library books... Most of today will be spent trying to bring some order back to this house. If you don't hear from me by tomorrow, send help. And cookies.
I need to run to the store for a few things and didn't feel like going out last night or taking Marty to work at 5am, so I decided to walk. Of course, now it is raining. Figures!
Traverse City was fun! The scores weren't high enough for either team to progress to worlds (thank god!) but both teams had a lot of fun. That's what is important.
Ethan won a pool party at out local library. Twenty five kids for three hours. He was so excited! I am gad he won... every book on that list was an absolute struggle for him to read, but he did it. (With lots of help from me, of course.) He has made and changed his guest list a few times so who knows who will make the final cut!
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Good News/Bad News
The good news is that I called the Midland library and found out that they are part of a large co-op, so I can get books from Bay County, Saginaw... all over the darn place.
The bad news is that they limit youth non-fiction to 2 titles per subject/per person and that if you want to put a book on hold they charge 25 cents per hold. Are you kidding me? At any given time I have dozens of books on hold. Good thing Amazon delivers.
The bad news is that they limit youth non-fiction to 2 titles per subject/per person and that if you want to put a book on hold they charge 25 cents per hold. Are you kidding me? At any given time I have dozens of books on hold. Good thing Amazon delivers.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Happy Easter!
Today is a pretty uneventful day around here.
Marty came home last night, so we are going to spend some time going over the mound of paperwork they gave him, planning the move, and just sort of trying to figure out what the hell to do next.
I am also going to spend a big chunk of today working on evaluating our homeschool goals. Every so often I sit down and make sure we have reached the last set of goals I set, figuring out what our next goals are, and just basically trying to figure what the hell to do next. Should be fun... the last set of goals was stored on my PDA, and the battery went so dead that all of the information was lost.
We are sort of in moving limbo right now. Pretty much as packed as we can be and still function. Well, maybe. Right before we moved to Detroit we were in corporate housing for a few weeks. (Marty was in training in St. Louis and we went to stay with him.) There was exactly as many forks as we needed, a few pans, just enough towels... just exactly the number of *whatever* we needed, and none extra to complicate things. It was great! The laundry was washed daily, and the dishes were done after each meal, so there was never a point where it became a problem. I have been slowly trying to get us to "just enough" ever since. We are pretty close... it just looks like we have too much because we live in such a small place! I think that is why it is harder to "pack what we don't need", though. There isn't really much - other than some books, movies and PS2 games- that we aren't using daily. I still have way too much Tupperware, though.
Marty came home last night, so we are going to spend some time going over the mound of paperwork they gave him, planning the move, and just sort of trying to figure out what the hell to do next.
I am also going to spend a big chunk of today working on evaluating our homeschool goals. Every so often I sit down and make sure we have reached the last set of goals I set, figuring out what our next goals are, and just basically trying to figure what the hell to do next. Should be fun... the last set of goals was stored on my PDA, and the battery went so dead that all of the information was lost.
We are sort of in moving limbo right now. Pretty much as packed as we can be and still function. Well, maybe. Right before we moved to Detroit we were in corporate housing for a few weeks. (Marty was in training in St. Louis and we went to stay with him.) There was exactly as many forks as we needed, a few pans, just enough towels... just exactly the number of *whatever* we needed, and none extra to complicate things. It was great! The laundry was washed daily, and the dishes were done after each meal, so there was never a point where it became a problem. I have been slowly trying to get us to "just enough" ever since. We are pretty close... it just looks like we have too much because we live in such a small place! I think that is why it is harder to "pack what we don't need", though. There isn't really much - other than some books, movies and PS2 games- that we aren't using daily. I still have way too much Tupperware, though.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Too tired to think of a catchy title
Yesterday morning when we got into the van to head to co-op I happened to look up and noticed three wires dangling from the side of my house. "What the...?" was my first thought. Then I realized that those wires used to be attached to one of those remote meter thingies.
It turns out it is the water meter. I called the city and they weren't too concerned. "Well, someone either took it or we came out to replace it and didn't finish the job." Duh. She wasn't sure which it was, and didn't much care. "I will put a note here to have someone come out and install another one." When asked when I could expect that to happen she said "Oh, it will be before your next bill is due." (May) Um... ok.
Today we went skating with our local homeschool group. It was way too nice to be inside, but the boys wanted to go because their friends would be there.
When it was time to leave Alex couldn't find his skates. He had taken them off to play Lazer Tag and when he came out they were gone. He went to the skate lady and asked if someone had turned them in. She gave him his shoes and told him it wasn't a huge deal because they would turn up, but to please keep looking for them. We were all looking for them when another mom got my attention and pointed out that the snack bar lady was yelling at Alex.
When I got over there she said he was lying, and blah, blah, blah. I told her if she had a problem with my kid she needed to talk to me and not a 12 year old. She said she wasn't yelling, blah, blah, blah. I again stated that if she had a problem with my kid she needed to talk to me.
A few minutes later the skate lady came up to me and said she had found them. I told her we would not be coming back because I don't give my money to places that have people working there that feel it is ok to yell at 12 year olds and call them liars. Melodramatic? Perhaps. True? Absolutely.
Tomorrow we pick Marty up from the airport, and he doesn't start work until Wednesday, so I think Monday we are going to drive up to Midland. We went on the weekend and are curious to see what it is like during the week. Probably the same as the weekend, but shhhh... don't tell. It is an excuse to head up there and poke around some more.
Alex and Ethan have a friend spending the night. They played in the mud, showered, had dinner and are now watching TV. I think I am going to go hide out in my room and read.
It turns out it is the water meter. I called the city and they weren't too concerned. "Well, someone either took it or we came out to replace it and didn't finish the job." Duh. She wasn't sure which it was, and didn't much care. "I will put a note here to have someone come out and install another one." When asked when I could expect that to happen she said "Oh, it will be before your next bill is due." (May) Um... ok.
Today we went skating with our local homeschool group. It was way too nice to be inside, but the boys wanted to go because their friends would be there.
When it was time to leave Alex couldn't find his skates. He had taken them off to play Lazer Tag and when he came out they were gone. He went to the skate lady and asked if someone had turned them in. She gave him his shoes and told him it wasn't a huge deal because they would turn up, but to please keep looking for them. We were all looking for them when another mom got my attention and pointed out that the snack bar lady was yelling at Alex.
When I got over there she said he was lying, and blah, blah, blah. I told her if she had a problem with my kid she needed to talk to me and not a 12 year old. She said she wasn't yelling, blah, blah, blah. I again stated that if she had a problem with my kid she needed to talk to me.
A few minutes later the skate lady came up to me and said she had found them. I told her we would not be coming back because I don't give my money to places that have people working there that feel it is ok to yell at 12 year olds and call them liars. Melodramatic? Perhaps. True? Absolutely.
Tomorrow we pick Marty up from the airport, and he doesn't start work until Wednesday, so I think Monday we are going to drive up to Midland. We went on the weekend and are curious to see what it is like during the week. Probably the same as the weekend, but shhhh... don't tell. It is an excuse to head up there and poke around some more.
Alex and Ethan have a friend spending the night. They played in the mud, showered, had dinner and are now watching TV. I think I am going to go hide out in my room and read.
Aetiology: Another mumps post--isn't the vaccine working?
Yes, there's disease in the vaccinated population. Of the cases in this little hypothetical, by the numbers alone, 66% were vaccinated--lower, but similar to our numbers here in Iowa. Yet as you can see, this doesn't mean that "the vaccine isn't working:" in our scenario, it means it's working at a 90% effectiveness rate, which is pretty good. The unvaccinated population acquired disease at 10 times the rate of the vaccinated population overall, so while being vaccinated was no guarantee of protection, it's a damn good gamble.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Ouch...
Went to the park and ended up with a sunburn. Every year I get a sunburn on the first park day of the year. You would think I would know better. Not!
Tomorrow is another pack as much as we can, clean whatever we can and just try to make it through the day- day. I'm telling you, the fun never stops here. We have managed to get school done, so it can't all be bad, right?
I also need to get my stuff ready for co-op. For Hogwarts I think we are going to do "potions" class, and make silly putty. Not only are we going to make it, but we are going to experiment with it. Should be fun!
For my preschoolers I think we are going to do a book and craft for Easter and a book and craft for Passover. Any ideas for those crafts? I am so not a crafty person, I should really not be allowed to teach preschoolers, co-op or not!
Tomorrow is another pack as much as we can, clean whatever we can and just try to make it through the day- day. I'm telling you, the fun never stops here. We have managed to get school done, so it can't all be bad, right?
I also need to get my stuff ready for co-op. For Hogwarts I think we are going to do "potions" class, and make silly putty. Not only are we going to make it, but we are going to experiment with it. Should be fun!
For my preschoolers I think we are going to do a book and craft for Easter and a book and craft for Passover. Any ideas for those crafts? I am so not a crafty person, I should really not be allowed to teach preschoolers, co-op or not!
Another day, another box
I am sitting here blissfully unaware of the stacks of boxes and huge mess behind me. Ahhh... life is good.
Marty made it to Nashville in one piece. His plane was delayed for a few hours, but other than that it was a pretty uneventful trip. I like air travel that way. Late and uneventful.
Yesterday Alex and Ethan grew some crystals. They have grown out of the little tray thing, and are now taking over my kitchen table. Ok, not really, but they are taking over the paper plate we put them on. They wanted to save them to show Marty when he gets home. I think a picture might have to do.
Christian can't spell his way put of a paper bag. Alex has done exactly six spelling lessons in his life and can spell anything. Sometimes it sucks to be Alex's older brother. Christian is still working his way through sequential spelling because when he gets to a point that he is missing most of the words over and over, we start over. (He asked to start over... not my idea.) So yesterday during SS he asked if we have to keep using all of the colors of marker. "I can see the pattern without them, and they just make it colorful. They don't really help." Ok. No colors it is.
I have sold most of the books I can't see us using again, or ever, in the case of a few. Cleaning off the homeschooling shelves did reintroduce me to a few books I forgot we had, that I think i am going to use as spines for Alex and Ethan once we are done with Sonlight Alt 6. (Pretty darn soon, by the way.) I just need to get Spielvogel's "Human Odyssey" for Christian and figure out what the heck I am going to do for science for that kid, and we should be all set. For a few weeks, anyway.
It is supposed to get up to 71 today, so I am going to call a few friends and see if they want to head to the park later. Ethan has OM until 2 (I think...I can't even remember what time we are supposed to be there... sigh) but after that I think a quick stop at the park will be a nice change.
Marty made it to Nashville in one piece. His plane was delayed for a few hours, but other than that it was a pretty uneventful trip. I like air travel that way. Late and uneventful.
Yesterday Alex and Ethan grew some crystals. They have grown out of the little tray thing, and are now taking over my kitchen table. Ok, not really, but they are taking over the paper plate we put them on. They wanted to save them to show Marty when he gets home. I think a picture might have to do.
Christian can't spell his way put of a paper bag. Alex has done exactly six spelling lessons in his life and can spell anything. Sometimes it sucks to be Alex's older brother. Christian is still working his way through sequential spelling because when he gets to a point that he is missing most of the words over and over, we start over. (He asked to start over... not my idea.) So yesterday during SS he asked if we have to keep using all of the colors of marker. "I can see the pattern without them, and they just make it colorful. They don't really help." Ok. No colors it is.
I have sold most of the books I can't see us using again, or ever, in the case of a few. Cleaning off the homeschooling shelves did reintroduce me to a few books I forgot we had, that I think i am going to use as spines for Alex and Ethan once we are done with Sonlight Alt 6. (Pretty darn soon, by the way.) I just need to get Spielvogel's "Human Odyssey" for Christian and figure out what the heck I am going to do for science for that kid, and we should be all set. For a few weeks, anyway.
It is supposed to get up to 71 today, so I am going to call a few friends and see if they want to head to the park later. Ethan has OM until 2 (I think...I can't even remember what time we are supposed to be there... sigh) but after that I think a quick stop at the park will be a nice change.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Marty leaves for Nashville tonight. We are getting back to a full day school schedule tomorrow. It was crazy around here while Dad was home, so we just fit it in when we could. Not any more! Now things will get back to normal (well, as normal as things can be around here) and we will get on with life.
Jeannine wants the paver stones I have, that I never got to use, so that's one thing out of the over stuffed garage. Some of the furniture went last week... now what do I do with the rest of the furniture?
I have two (yes, two) antique hutches in my garage. Both belonged to a grandma or great-grandma, and I am the only one in the family that wants them. But I don't want them. I just don't want them destroyed. I don't know what to do with them.
Alex and Ethan's room is finally finished. We have been wanting to paint for two years, and just never got around to it. Now that it is done I am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The only thing we have left to paint is the kitchen/dining room, master bedroom and Christian's room (has a band of dark blue going around the room, in the middle of the wall.) When you consider that only leaves the living room, hallway and A&E's room, I guess it is a lot more than I thought!
While I am at it, I am going to continue working on our school plans for next year. (We school year round so "next year" just means"When they are done with what they are doing now.") They have all finished what they were doing for science, and those books have been sold and shipped. Now I am on the lookout for good secular science. Good luck, right?
We are almost done with Sonlight, so will be looking for something for history, too. I am thinking of going back to Ambleside, because really, it wasn't much different than Sonlight. We would read the history selections, add a bunch of books/movies/internet sites about the time period/subject, look the area up on the globe, and discuss what they learned. Why should I pay for the IG from Sonlight, when I can either use Ambleside of do it myself?
Well anyway, I am going to try to get as many full days of school in that we can before the move. We will probably take a week off for the move (to finish packing, move and then unpack) and then it will be when most people start summer break, so we might do some weeks of half days, so we can hang out at the park and make new friends.
Well, that's the plan, anyway.
The town that we are moving to (Midland, MI) has a skateboarding park, a BMX track, two "Spraygrounds" (squirt zone type things), and even canoe rentals! Of course, Midland doesn't have our friends, and that is the worst part.
Jeannine wants the paver stones I have, that I never got to use, so that's one thing out of the over stuffed garage. Some of the furniture went last week... now what do I do with the rest of the furniture?
I have two (yes, two) antique hutches in my garage. Both belonged to a grandma or great-grandma, and I am the only one in the family that wants them. But I don't want them. I just don't want them destroyed. I don't know what to do with them.
Alex and Ethan's room is finally finished. We have been wanting to paint for two years, and just never got around to it. Now that it is done I am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The only thing we have left to paint is the kitchen/dining room, master bedroom and Christian's room (has a band of dark blue going around the room, in the middle of the wall.) When you consider that only leaves the living room, hallway and A&E's room, I guess it is a lot more than I thought!
While I am at it, I am going to continue working on our school plans for next year. (We school year round so "next year" just means"When they are done with what they are doing now.") They have all finished what they were doing for science, and those books have been sold and shipped. Now I am on the lookout for good secular science. Good luck, right?
We are almost done with Sonlight, so will be looking for something for history, too. I am thinking of going back to Ambleside, because really, it wasn't much different than Sonlight. We would read the history selections, add a bunch of books/movies/internet sites about the time period/subject, look the area up on the globe, and discuss what they learned. Why should I pay for the IG from Sonlight, when I can either use Ambleside of do it myself?
Well anyway, I am going to try to get as many full days of school in that we can before the move. We will probably take a week off for the move (to finish packing, move and then unpack) and then it will be when most people start summer break, so we might do some weeks of half days, so we can hang out at the park and make new friends.
Well, that's the plan, anyway.
The town that we are moving to (Midland, MI) has a skateboarding park, a BMX track, two "Spraygrounds" (squirt zone type things), and even canoe rentals! Of course, Midland doesn't have our friends, and that is the worst part.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Ever wondered...
What would happen if you tried to pack, school and live at the same time? See all of the nice piles of *stuff* on top of the furniture? Sigh... I will tackle those tomorrow.
Next week I will update with what it is like to pack, live, and school all while dh is out of town. Should be fun.
Next week I will update with what it is like to pack, live, and school all while dh is out of town. Should be fun.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Good times
Regional manager called Marty today to argue with him. Marty told him he wasn't going to argue with him, so he insisted that he needed to talk to a few other people and would call back.
Turns out the top guy in payroll I was told would be calling me today was really a corporate attorney. He called to say that regional is going to stop fighting, and the check should be here in a few days. He was quite shocked and almost embarrassed when he found out they hadn't paid him part of what was owed to him. He said it was in violation of Michigan law and he would make sure it was fixed ASAP.
We started packing today. Good times. Alex and Ethan's room is empty, and currently has a fresh coat of primer drying. Hopefully the painting will be done tonight, so tomorrow we can move on to another project. Thursday is painting the dining room/kitchen. That ought to be fun.
Not sure what is going to happen to co-op once I move. Someone asked if anyone was planning to take over once I am gone and no one has answered her. It is really going to suck if no one takes over. We put a lot of time and energy into making it successful and I would hate to see it end.
Tomorrow is more packing and getting ready for my co-op classes. Marty leaves for a week in Nashville on Sunday, so I guess I should spend some time helping him get ready.
Turns out the top guy in payroll I was told would be calling me today was really a corporate attorney. He called to say that regional is going to stop fighting, and the check should be here in a few days. He was quite shocked and almost embarrassed when he found out they hadn't paid him part of what was owed to him. He said it was in violation of Michigan law and he would make sure it was fixed ASAP.
We started packing today. Good times. Alex and Ethan's room is empty, and currently has a fresh coat of primer drying. Hopefully the painting will be done tonight, so tomorrow we can move on to another project. Thursday is painting the dining room/kitchen. That ought to be fun.
Not sure what is going to happen to co-op once I move. Someone asked if anyone was planning to take over once I am gone and no one has answered her. It is really going to suck if no one takes over. We put a lot of time and energy into making it successful and I would hate to see it end.
Tomorrow is more packing and getting ready for my co-op classes. Marty leaves for a week in Nashville on Sunday, so I guess I should spend some time helping him get ready.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Furniture and Bastards
I ended up receiving a bunch of replies for my antique furniture. The woman that is taking it is coming all the way from Windsor for it. (Maybe I did price it too low?) Her son is getting married and as a wedding gift she is redoing the kitchen/dining room of the house he just bought. Hopefully they like it.
We are sort of in a holding pattern until we get boxes. We have tried everywhere and they all say that they have none, but will hold them for us. Hopefully tomorrow we can pick up a van full and get started.
The good news is that we really only have the essentials. Sure, there are things we won't need before we move, but really not a lot. It just looks like a lot because our house is so damn small.
I swear... the only house we found in the new city that the rent was even as high as what we pay here was a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, finished basement, 1800 sq ft waterfront house. What the hell??!! Of course, like Marie said "Of course it is cheap! There is nothing there!"
The nearest Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are, well, down here. I said we would need to stock up before we leave, but Christian thought it was a much better idea to make bi-weekly trips down here. Fresher food, you know. Always thinking of his family. LOL
Not much else exciting going on. Just fighting with ex-employer for money owed to us. Bastards. I finally got a hold of someone in the law office who has turned it over to the top guy in payroll. Hopefully he can take care of this without us having to file a complaint with the wage and labor board. (Not that I think that would do anything, mind you.) Of course, he was out of the office by the time they got a hold of me, so he will call tomorrow. When we got home there was a voice mail from Marty's ex-regional manager, asking Marty to call him. He is the king bastard so he can bite my ass.
We are sort of in a holding pattern until we get boxes. We have tried everywhere and they all say that they have none, but will hold them for us. Hopefully tomorrow we can pick up a van full and get started.
The good news is that we really only have the essentials. Sure, there are things we won't need before we move, but really not a lot. It just looks like a lot because our house is so damn small.
I swear... the only house we found in the new city that the rent was even as high as what we pay here was a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, finished basement, 1800 sq ft waterfront house. What the hell??!! Of course, like Marie said "Of course it is cheap! There is nothing there!"
The nearest Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are, well, down here. I said we would need to stock up before we leave, but Christian thought it was a much better idea to make bi-weekly trips down here. Fresher food, you know. Always thinking of his family. LOL
Not much else exciting going on. Just fighting with ex-employer for money owed to us. Bastards. I finally got a hold of someone in the law office who has turned it over to the top guy in payroll. Hopefully he can take care of this without us having to file a complaint with the wage and labor board. (Not that I think that would do anything, mind you.) Of course, he was out of the office by the time they got a hold of me, so he will call tomorrow. When we got home there was a voice mail from Marty's ex-regional manager, asking Marty to call him. He is the king bastard so he can bite my ass.
Unemployment, Moving
Marty lost his job with the jackasses he worked with. We knew it was coming, just not when. Exactly two weeks later he was offered a job that is moving us 2 1/2 hours (or so) north of Detroit. So the next 8-10 weeks are going to be crazy... trying to find a place to live, packing, saying goodbye. Sigh...
Craigslist
I posted some furniture on Craigslist for exactly what I paid for it. I think I asked too little. Within 15 minutes I had three people email me. This morning there were another six. The boys were joking that we should start some bidding wars. Hummm... Not!
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