Packing Day

Today is my last day of vacation. Today is packing day. Tomorrow night, after 8 weeks, I'll be in my own bed, in my own room, in my own house. Alone. And while there are parts of being home I'm looking forward to (friends!) there are parts I'm not looking forward to at all.

I have loved having this time to be with my family. I go through this every year when it's time for me to go home, but never quite as strongly as this time. Maybe it's because I was supposed to move here this summer rather than vacation, and I didn't expect to have to say good bye. But the thought of going home, and having an empty house with not much to do in the evenings is making me sad. I'm sure the normal routine of house work, and preparing for the next day will become normal again, and that I'll continue to be busy (aren't I always?) but it already feels lonely...

I can't believe that school starts for the kids next week. I have a LONG list of the needed school supplies that I'll have to get before they head off to school. I was gonna buy them all here and just pack them home, but since school starts earlier here, they aren't on sale anymore. I figure I'll most likely get better deals at home. Although I'm sure WalMart will be a mad house, and most of the supplies will be limited on what is left..*sigh*

I'm also really REALLY looking forward to playing basketball again!!! I was telling a friend about how I used to play, and that I really missed it - and realized that it's been 8 months since I've played! Since CHRISTMAS! I stopped just before the Christmas rush, then was diaganosed with the cancer, then surgery, then treatment, then recovery and medication level corrections so that I'd have energy again, then vacation - and poof - here we are! 8 months. Holy Cow! I can't wait to go again - even though I'm sure it's gonna kick my butt for weeks when I start up again.

Well, back to packing. The car doesn't pack it's self...

Holy Cow! Can it already be a week since I've been in UT? I forgot to write about being here, and I've been too busy towrite about my time her so far! Let's play the catch up game again!

I got my car back Tuesday night (the 12th) It's in great condition, and you can't tell that anything was every wrong. It drives great, and so far there haven't been any problems. The work is guarenteed for life, so if there are ever any problems they'll take care of it. I left for UT the following morning, bright and early. We went through Vegas, and stopped at the Hoover Dam. Took pictures, but they are on my phone (and I'm too lazy at the moment to get them off)

My time in UT has been busy. Things for my sister's sealing and reception are going good. We're pretty busy with "wedding"type plans. Between my sister, me and one of our good friends we're gonna make the wedding cake - we've done a practice cake, and it turned out pretty good. It's so much fun to be here with here, and help her get things ready.

Dating has been good too. I don't think I've said anythign about Mr. D yet. I met him at the FHE group. We got a chanceto go out once before I left. Both he and Mr. L have continued to keep in touch with me since I left. I've enjoyed getting to know them both.

Since I've been back in UT I've been able to see Mr. T again also. Things with him are good. He's had a pretty busy time with some things in his life, so we haven't gotten to go out quite as much as last time. I'm not sure exactly where things stand with us in a long term sense, but I imagine that we'll continue to talk after I head home, which I really look forward to.

And with that - we're off to the store for some last minute reception decorations and dress shopping! FUN!

On hold

So - my vacation is on hold - still. My car isn't finished. I was suposed to leave last Friday for Utah. Then my car was suposed to be done today so that I could leave first thing in the morning...NOPE! They got it all finished, took it for the test drive and all sorts of dashboard warning lights went off...so, it's back to work on the electrical system. I'm being patient because safety on my drive is my #1 concern - but I'd like to stop being on hold. I'm enjoying my time at mom's - a lot actually - but I'm also very ready to be in Utah, for a few different reasons. *wink*

Meanwhile, tonight is the singles FHE group. Because the car wasn't ready on Friday, I get to go tonight and say goodbye to the friends I've made here. I'll miss them. It's been good to meet so many fun people and after being around for as long as I've been here, I got kinda attached. I'm glad I at least have a chance to say goodbye though.

Tomorrow the car should be done, and Wed I should be on the road. *fingers crossed*

Quotes

I have, over the last few weeks, come across some fun quotes that I'd like to share (and also put in a place I can find them later if I forget about 'em!) Because of where I am in my life at the moment, I can really relate and enjoy these sayings.


*When life hands you lemons, make grape juice. Then sit back and watch the workd wonder how you did it!

*Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.

*Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

And, one just for fun:

*I really like when people roll their eyes and ignore me...so I became a mother.

Let's try this again...

I posted this earlier today - a good post with all sorts of details on the beach trip...some how blogger ate it, made me mad and I had to walk away. LOL I did get the collage right though - so that's a step up! =)

So - the beach trip. It was a BLAST! We were there for about 8 hours, and it wasn't enough for the kids! They had a wonderful time, and were NOT ready to go home. It was wonderful to watch them play, and to play with them (after my brother picked my up and drug me in! LOL) They have never been swimming at/in the ocean. We've BEEN to the ocean plenty - but in WA it's just too cold to swim in. Austin and Brian both figured out boogie boarding quickly, and loved every minute of it. They'd run out, attack the waves and ride 'em all the way in. Kait got more and more adventurous as the day went on, finally letting the surf toss her around a little bit.

Over all we had 16 people with us. Me and my kids, mom, grandma, uncle/aunt and their 3 kids, good friend and her 2 kids. We packed tons of food/water, and stayed for hours! Talk about fun in the sun!! Needless to say, I'll be coming home with quite the tan! =)

Another "catch up" post

Things have continued to be very busy, but very fun on this crazy vacation! I haven't been on the computer much at all, and haven't had a whole lot of time to sit down and post anything! So, we're doing the "catch up" (ketchup??) post again!

Last Tuesday, would have been July 29: Had a date with Mr. L again. Since our first date got kinda messed up from my car accident, we didn't get to mini-golfing like we'd wanted to, so this was our plan for the night. We ate dinner first, and then headed for the course. Pretty fun evening.

Wed: I got up early and met Mr. N (yes, we finally got around to meeting up after a few emails and text messages) at his house for breakfast. He likes to cook and I learned how to make crepes! They look hard - but aren't really! I'm gonna have to try it out on my own, see how I do. After getting home from breakfast I packed up and mom and the kids and I headed out for California to visit my grandparents and an Uncle/Aunt/cousins. We stopped in Phoenix to pick up my brother and my niece (his wife stayed home with the baby) and were on our way again. 7 hours in the car...

Thursday: play day at Grandmas!

Friday: Beach day - I'll have to make a separate post about this, as I have pictures and fun things to say. =)

Saturday: I got to go see WICKED!!!!! Holy Moly! I loved it! I have only been to one or two plays, and I have to change that pattern. How fun! I've been dying to go for quite some time now. Mom gave me the soundtrack for Christmas, and I've loved the music. I'm really glad I got to know all the songs before seeing the play - I think it made it easier to understand all that was going on so that I could just enjoy the story rather than focus on what the words of the song were. I loved it and would go again in a heart beat!

Sunday: travel home day. Got to Phoenix and stopped to drop off my brother/niece and stayed for dinner. Aunt/Uncle/Cousins came to see us also. It's amazing what a year will do! The kids are so grown up it's amazing! And it's been SO good to see everyone. Makes the millions of hours in the car worth it!!

Monday: Glad to be home and out of the car!!

My car should be finished on Friday, or so they tell me. Hopefully there will be no last minute things to fix, and they can have it done. I should be leaving for UT again this weekend. My trip has been extended a bit as my sister and her family are going to be sealed in the temple on the 22nd!!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am for them - and so excited to be going to help with all the "wedding" prep. They didn't really get a wedding - so this time they are going to have the reception and everything! I get to go help out! I can't wait to get back up there. I'm gonna be busy with wedding stuff and I already have quite a few plans made with Mr. T!! I'm never gonna want to go home...