Just a post

No pics yet. I have some, but I can't seem to get it together to actually download them.

But here is some news.

I am job hunting. One of the more unpleasant things I endure. All the resume bringing and online applications and getting two letters of reference and asking to speak with managers and then the waiting. Why don't they call? Should I call them? What's wrong with my resume? Did I forget to put on my phone number... and, and. and.

When I am working at a place and someone comes in to ask for an application I am SO nice to them. I know what it's like to be them and I know it's no fun. I'm also super nice to whoever the new employee is, because being new is one of the other unpleasant things I endure. I hate being new.

But it does lead to a paycheck and I really like those.

Other news: My older two kids have started soccer, which means they have already met some of the kids they will be in class with. I am hoping this will lead to a nice and easy transition into a new high school.

My younger two can't wait for school to start. They are tired of each other and are ready for some socialization with other kids.

I am getting used to our new environment. I love being back in the northwest, but miss my friends. I think our family is going to do nicely here, though, so I am at peace.

Hubby starts his new job on Tuesday, kids on Wednesday and then I am going to finish unpacking and settling the house.

Also, I am going back on my good eating plan. All this eating out and grabbing bites and not being able to cook and having no furniture to eat on is coming to an end. We now have a fridge and propane to work the stove. I've used it all as an excuse to eat whatever I want and it is showing. My face looks like a teenagers, and not in a good way. I'm broken out all over the place. My rear looks like a grandma's and that's no good either.

And, I'm going to be 40 in 4 months. I want to bring in a new decade feeling strong and energetic and looking good.

Okay, so that was one long ramble, but I've been too long away from my blog. This pretty much sums it all up and now we can get back to regular programming.

We're here!

At the library - will post again once we have internet at home.

Miss all you Iowans, and am grateful I'm taking my internet buddies with me. Can't wait to catch up with you all in the comfort of my new home.

We are fine and adjusting and settling in. Thank you for whatever prayers and good thoughts you are having for us.

Moving on down the road

Well, we got all packed up yesterday and started our journey westward this morning.

Did that seem quick to you? It was really quick for me.

It's been very hard to say goodbye to friends. I can't believe that in the short amount of time we lived in Iowa, I was able to develop the friendships that I have. This move is a necessity for our family, but it is incredibly difficult to leave my people. There is no way I'll give up my friends. I know that email and phoning will keep us close, but it won't be the same.

So after gallons of tears and more than a little stress, we are heading down the highway and ready for a new adventure.

My daughter and I have been taking some interesting photos, so when we get there I'll have some fun stuff to show you. I'll be back again once we are settled!

Setting the record straight

Somebody googled "Smelly Laundry" and my blog popped up. How funny is that?

Just for the record, my laundry smells like lavender and vanilla. Yum.

I've been packing like a maniac today. Tonight my girlfriends, otherwise known as the 'Hot Mama's', come over to scrub and pack up my kitchen. I pity the friend who has to do the kids bathroom. There's a lot of scum up there, let me tell ya.

For some reason, when I know I'm going to move, all cleaning maintenance goes out the window and we live in squallor until we empty out the place, and then I make my friends come over and shiny everything up for the new people.

I've decided all the socks are going to the rag bin and we will get new when we get there. Everyone will get seven pairs of socks and they will all have different color toes. That way I know who to yell (and by yell, I mean lovingly teach. ha) at when I have to pick them up off the floor.

But before the cleaning, we get a couples date with friends at the nice restaurant in town. Isn't is sad that I can call it THE nice restaurant and the locals will know which one I'm talking about? I think our new town will actually have THREE nice restaurants! And, if we take a ferry ride, there will be a million-bazillion restaurants to choose from.

Now, I'm hitting the showers to pretty up for my date. TTFN, folks.

Resolutions

I will stop buying new lotion before the old lotion is used up.

I will stop buying cheap clothing that lasts two washes.

I will consider carefully the things that I buy. I have thrown out way too much stuff that I didn't really like and didn't really need.

I will not hold on to things for too long that are worn out or never used. Better to let someone else have them than to keep them just because they cost me money.

I will not buy books unless I know I will refer to them regularly or read them over and over.

I will consider carefully to gifts I give people. Are they meaningful? Are they useful? Am I contributing to their stuff problem?

I will not be ruled by my stuff. I will conquer and live free!!!

I resolve to find a solution to my laundry situation. Yikes!

Okay, that is the end of that!

Green News: Day three of the baking soda/vinegar hair wash. Still light and fluffy. Not really caring for the smell during the rinse process, but it doesn't stay smelly so I won't give up yet. Maybe I'll learn to like it.

Happy Saturday, y'all

(Please accept this gratuitous photograph that has nothing to do with this post. I just haven't used any pictures in the last few posts and needed something to spruce up my randomness! My daughter (far right) and her friends playing mud pit volleyball. Awesome.)

I've decided to cancel my mammogram appointment. I just think it's too much what with all the packing and moving two days later. Plus, my husband, the ever vigilant health researcher, agrees with Erin. He thinks thermography is the way to go for us.

I am keeping my hair masque appointment and getting a few new layers in, though. I've been googling hair salon prices in my new destination and they are ASTRONOMICAL!! But I also found a hip and trendy (because we all know that I am hip and trendy) cosmetology school that offers inexpensive services. I don't mind being a guinea pig for a $20 shampoo, cut and style.

Green News: I did the baking soda and apple cider vinegar wash in place of my regular shampoo yesterday and I gotta say, my hair is light and fluffy. Feels good after I slept on it all night, too. I'll give it a few weeks and see how it goes. Can't beat the price.

Other Green News: I finally remembered to take my reusable totes to the grocery store yesterday and I felt so good about it. You can get twice as many items in them and they are so easy to carry and I felt super responsible and a little uppity toward the people who weren't using them. (Not really uppity, ya know, just feeling good about myself).

I'm determined to use all good, clean, natural products in our new house. I've been reading up on homemade cleansers and body products. I don't think I will change everything all at once, that would be a recipe for sure disaster, but over time I hope to use less chemical stuff and more essential oils.

Be sure to let me know what works for you. This path is filled with trial and error!

Up for today: Laundry and packing. Cleaning and sprucing. Watching friends in "The Little Mermaid", maybe some swimming, then more packing. I'm determined to have the upstairs completely finished by Tuesday, at the latest.

Blessings on your day, friends!