What a roller coaster we are riding! It is so good to have four of us around our table again. I fixed all of his favorites while Hub set the table in the formal dining room. While we all held hands, Hub said the sweetest prayer thanking God for blessing our family so richly. Then as soon as he gulped down his dinner, our Man/Child ran out the door to go meet some woman/slut that he met in a pool hall. Not exactly a Norman Rockwell moment. Actually, I think that being locked up has made my son into a bit of a slut, but that's another story.
Last night he made a big deal about wanting to take his little brother to a movie. Basically, I think it was a good excuse to not go to a church function that we wanted to go to. We have been trying to talk to him about his money and how his spending is out of control but he insisted how he wanted to spend time with his bro. We told him it was his money. We left and in the middle of our dinner both of our cell phones start ringing. Turns out he decided to go to a restaurant first for dinner. His ATM card was declined, so he had to use the rest of his cash. He wanted us to bring him money to go to the movies. I just told him that I was sorry and suggested that they go home and watch a movie that we had rented. We came home 1-1/2 hours later to find little bro in tears. They came home and in a few minutes my Man/Child told his little bro that he was going to leave and go see another woman/slut. (My words, not his.) At least he didn't take little bro with him.
This morning, he decided that he wanted to make us all breakfast. He always "thought" that he was a good cook, but he has lost a lot of his knack. He started in pretty excited with himself. I bit my tongue as he banged around in the kitchen pulling out everything and turning the burners up to high. Then some girl calls and he bragging how he is cooking for everyone. I kept seeing the mess going all over the place and finally I had to walk out of the kitchen. I realized that the house was getting smokey and told him to turn on the fan in the hood. I turned around to see flames and then a pillar (literally, a pillar all the way to the ceiling) of fire as he tried to put the flaming pan in the sink. I screamed; Hub was close and ran to help. I was sure that we had a hole in the ceiling, but luckily there wasn't. There were dark marks where the flames had "licked" the ceiling. Man/Child went out mad because I was telling him what to do. Hub got a ladder and soap and water to try to clean the ceiling. (Can you say "enabler"?)
He REALLY needs a job. He needs something constructive to fill his time and work off some energy and frustration. Incidents like today worry me to death about him though. If we had not been here, he could have been killed and our home destroyed. He is a 22 year old without the basic life experiences to get to 22. I so wish he could go into the military. He told my husband that being free was hard. He has not been able to make any decisions for himself so he's not to adept at it. The military would probably be such a good segue. They will not take him with a record though.
I do feel so sorry for him. On top of everything else, his birthmother wrote him shortly before he was released. She had been placed in a psych hospital. This has not been the first time. We knew that this had happened in the past but had downplayed it to our son. Our understanding was that her family requested it before. They live in the North and she in the Southwest so I don't know what happened. This time the state likely placed her there. She's 42 now and a bit of a loose cannon but we had hoped that she was on a better path. She sent him her "consequences" list that they had given her. Like how she could earn TV time or group walks, etc. She was always saying how he was going to come live with her and he talked about going out there, too. Now he just talks about how he came from a psycho. She also told him that she found out that his birthfather died a year ago. Who knows if that is true. How much more can he deal with?
I knew that this would be tough on all of us, but I prayed and prayed that it would be tolerable. I AM so glad he is home. I can't think on the hell that he has lived through. He just scares me on several levels. For him; for our family; for our marriage, etc. I feel that familiar old black cloud coming over us. We are all getting stressed out. We are still working on counselling.
Sorry to be such a downer.
Let's talk about The Bachelorette........
Later.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
My boy is home!
He's home! I haven't posted anything about this as there are so many emotions going through my being. Relief that he made it through alive....disbelief when I think of all he has dealt with...fear of the unknown future.....frustration when I see old familiar actions or family dynamics.....sadness when I see my hurt little boy.....delight when I see him taking a positive step.
He came out with a beard, longer dirty hair, thin, tired and in old worn clothes that they give them to walk out in. He looked rough and rather Anthony Hopkins-ish only with dark hair. His hair is thinning now and he looked much older. I didn't recognize him at first. We were warned by volunteers there from a prison ministry that he would be a bit disoriented as he had traveled to get there; breakfast was served at 2 AM and it was now 10:30; he had gone through several departments to process, and of course, he hadn't slept well in days from excitement. They told everyone to take him somewhere to eat first thing.
We had waited in a family area for about two hours. There were probably 100 people waiting for loved ones inside and outside on the street across from the prison. Some had several family members there. We were told that many men come out with no one to meet them or even care if they were out or not. I couldn't help but wonder about their stories. Some looked very familiar with the process. Others were like us: scared and uncertain. There was a very old woman. I wondered if she were meeting her son or husband. I wondered how long she had waited.
We had planned to take him to a restaurant with a big buffet. After what he had been eating, we thought that would be heavenly. Instead he wanted to go to a Chili's. Turned out he just wanted to have a beer with his meal. That was probably more of a "I'm my own man now" statement from him. Wasn't sure if that was the best thing for him, but whatever. He was free and I could touch him.
We had brought him clothes to change into which he started changing into in the middle of the street by the car. No modesty now after what he had been accustomed to. I bought him a shirt with an eagle on it and the words "freedom" written across the chest. Hub's sister's lake house was about an hour away and available so we went out there and spent a few days. It is one of his favorite places to be. First thing he did was go take a long, hot shower to get that place off of him. He did get a haircut a couple of days later. Color me happy!
The next few days were pretty up and down. His cousin came out and spent the night with us. The two of them are very, very close and it was so sweet to see them excited to see each other. Two very different young men. One is "Joe College" with the world on a string and then there's our son. Cuz has always been very sensitive and supportive to him. A great cousin. The next day we had a massive water gun and water balloon war before Cuz had to leave. It was great fun. So normal. Other times, he just doesn't know what to do with himself. His anger can get the best of him and he will quickly go into a "prison mode" of speech. He did learn a few more colorful words while there. He is very reactive, which we expected, but still not easy to deal with.
We went into town the evening before we left and had dinner with my brother and sis-in-law. We went to a very nice Italian restaurant and everyone made my son feel special and welcomed. You should have seen the waiter's face when he carded my son before serving him a glass of wine. The only ID he had was one that showed him with a shaved head and the words OFFENDER stamped across it. Poor waiter didn't know what to do. He was embarrassed but we both giggled.
On the way back to Arkansas, we took a detour by our old home. I guess for a little closure. We were only there for about 24 hours and he got to see a few close family friends. It seemed really odd bringing him in to our new home and showing him around. We simply could not get the loft ready for him in time and he is still in the guest room. (Movers lost the rails to his bed.) He is part of us; not a guest. He was so happy to see the pets. They are getting lots of loving.
Not sure what the future will bring, but like they say, I know who holds the future. We are reminded all the time at how much life experience he lost due to drugs and then being locked up. One night, he signed up for a seemingly fly-by-night Internet college from a pop-up on the computer. I found out when I got an e-mail about a receipt from the $50 he had wired from his bank account. We suggested to him we check it out a little bit first.
He is gone this weekend to see some another close cousin who lives about 6 hours away. This guy is a good influence on him and we encouraged him. He has been driving around town, but he has never taken a longer trip by himself. I printed out maps and directions, but I realized he was in a bit of a panic. I tried to show my confidence in him, told him to call and let us know how he was doing, and prayed hard as he left. He called frustrated and wanting to confirm directions 20 minutes after he left. Then he called probably 15 times through the trip. He was so afraid he would miss a turn or not sure how to navigate. I kept Mapquest up and tried to assure him that I knew exactly where he was and he was good. He would say "I'm passing a school. Do you see it?" Not the sharpest knife in the drawer. :) He got there and I think has a sense of accomplishment. Just what he needed. I had better stay by the phone on Tuesday when he heads back. He will NEVER be able to figure out how to reverse the directions. :)
That's probably enough on the subject for tonight. Thanks for all the support and prayers you have offered.
Later.
He came out with a beard, longer dirty hair, thin, tired and in old worn clothes that they give them to walk out in. He looked rough and rather Anthony Hopkins-ish only with dark hair. His hair is thinning now and he looked much older. I didn't recognize him at first. We were warned by volunteers there from a prison ministry that he would be a bit disoriented as he had traveled to get there; breakfast was served at 2 AM and it was now 10:30; he had gone through several departments to process, and of course, he hadn't slept well in days from excitement. They told everyone to take him somewhere to eat first thing.
We had waited in a family area for about two hours. There were probably 100 people waiting for loved ones inside and outside on the street across from the prison. Some had several family members there. We were told that many men come out with no one to meet them or even care if they were out or not. I couldn't help but wonder about their stories. Some looked very familiar with the process. Others were like us: scared and uncertain. There was a very old woman. I wondered if she were meeting her son or husband. I wondered how long she had waited.
We had planned to take him to a restaurant with a big buffet. After what he had been eating, we thought that would be heavenly. Instead he wanted to go to a Chili's. Turned out he just wanted to have a beer with his meal. That was probably more of a "I'm my own man now" statement from him. Wasn't sure if that was the best thing for him, but whatever. He was free and I could touch him.
We had brought him clothes to change into which he started changing into in the middle of the street by the car. No modesty now after what he had been accustomed to. I bought him a shirt with an eagle on it and the words "freedom" written across the chest. Hub's sister's lake house was about an hour away and available so we went out there and spent a few days. It is one of his favorite places to be. First thing he did was go take a long, hot shower to get that place off of him. He did get a haircut a couple of days later. Color me happy!
The next few days were pretty up and down. His cousin came out and spent the night with us. The two of them are very, very close and it was so sweet to see them excited to see each other. Two very different young men. One is "Joe College" with the world on a string and then there's our son. Cuz has always been very sensitive and supportive to him. A great cousin. The next day we had a massive water gun and water balloon war before Cuz had to leave. It was great fun. So normal. Other times, he just doesn't know what to do with himself. His anger can get the best of him and he will quickly go into a "prison mode" of speech. He did learn a few more colorful words while there. He is very reactive, which we expected, but still not easy to deal with.
We went into town the evening before we left and had dinner with my brother and sis-in-law. We went to a very nice Italian restaurant and everyone made my son feel special and welcomed. You should have seen the waiter's face when he carded my son before serving him a glass of wine. The only ID he had was one that showed him with a shaved head and the words OFFENDER stamped across it. Poor waiter didn't know what to do. He was embarrassed but we both giggled.
On the way back to Arkansas, we took a detour by our old home. I guess for a little closure. We were only there for about 24 hours and he got to see a few close family friends. It seemed really odd bringing him in to our new home and showing him around. We simply could not get the loft ready for him in time and he is still in the guest room. (Movers lost the rails to his bed.) He is part of us; not a guest. He was so happy to see the pets. They are getting lots of loving.
Not sure what the future will bring, but like they say, I know who holds the future. We are reminded all the time at how much life experience he lost due to drugs and then being locked up. One night, he signed up for a seemingly fly-by-night Internet college from a pop-up on the computer. I found out when I got an e-mail about a receipt from the $50 he had wired from his bank account. We suggested to him we check it out a little bit first.
He is gone this weekend to see some another close cousin who lives about 6 hours away. This guy is a good influence on him and we encouraged him. He has been driving around town, but he has never taken a longer trip by himself. I printed out maps and directions, but I realized he was in a bit of a panic. I tried to show my confidence in him, told him to call and let us know how he was doing, and prayed hard as he left. He called frustrated and wanting to confirm directions 20 minutes after he left. Then he called probably 15 times through the trip. He was so afraid he would miss a turn or not sure how to navigate. I kept Mapquest up and tried to assure him that I knew exactly where he was and he was good. He would say "I'm passing a school. Do you see it?" Not the sharpest knife in the drawer. :) He got there and I think has a sense of accomplishment. Just what he needed. I had better stay by the phone on Tuesday when he heads back. He will NEVER be able to figure out how to reverse the directions. :)
That's probably enough on the subject for tonight. Thanks for all the support and prayers you have offered.
Later.
Monday, July 5, 2010
A Day of Freedom
This is the week we have been waiting for. On Friday, we will pick up our son and our family will start another new chapter.....all together again. I am excited and apprehensive at the same time. Hub is leaving Wednesday for a big business meeting. He got permission to leave early on Thursday and will fly down to Houston where we will meet him at the airport that night. Then on Friday morning, we will be sitting outside waiting for my baby to walk through the gates. You don't have a specific time. Just some time that day; hopefully morning. I'm sure that it will seem like forever. A bit like waiting for Santa to come. It will surely be a scene. Lots and lots of tears. Hub says that he wants to pick him up and carry him out. That could prove interesting with a 22 year old man. :)
This is the one time I will not get on to him for shooting the finger. As long as it is discreet enough not to get him in trouble. I may be doing it myself. What a trial this has been. Not that it was not deserved, but the society that lives within those walls is hellish. The evil community that breeds off of the weaker and destroys lives and families. Everyone in there is seeking a prey. The uniforms are just as bad. It is a nasty circle that leaves scars everywhere. They call the outside the "real world". How do you truly leave behind this "unreal world" behind? Although we hope that the lessons learned here are retained forever, how do you unlearn that everyone is not out to get you and that you yourself do not have to fight and use others to rise above? I cannot imagine what is in his soul right now. He says that he couldn't see or feel God in there. As much as that saddens me, I can understand that. How do we rekindle that faith? His faith in God. His faith in others? His faith in himself?
He has had 3-1/2 years of doing nothing. We call that rehabilitation? I'm sure at first that he will be so very hyper that we can't stand him. But after that, 3-1/2 years of sitting and sleeping definitely makes a habit. He is already so far behind on the learning curve. He has been reading. Go figure, the kid with a learning disability has been reading like crazy. Hopefully, he will pick that back up and not associate it with where he was. When I think of the small area that he has been living in....well, I can't think of it or really imagine how that would feel. Will he feel insecure in a big room; be able to sleep in a soft bed; be able to be in a crowd without jumping out of his skin?
How long will it take for the rest of us to truly feel "normal"? To have that "family" closeness? To not hide medications or valuables? To not feel the need to double check everything he says? Maybe that was our normal, but I pray for something else.
Lots of questions. The one thing that I do know is that I can't wait to put my arms around him and feel his cheek against mine. To tell him over and over again how much I love him. To see his beautiful blue eyes, dimples and Tom Cruise smile. To hear him sing. He loved to sing. He has a whole new and different world to explore. Younger brother is so anxious to show him the new video systems and to finally be able to beat him in a game. I love to see my sons doing something together. Even if it is a video game.
We celebrated Independence Day yesterday and gave honor to the day and the ones who have given and are giving so much to preserve freedom on our behalf. But on Friday, July 9th, my family will celebrate our own day of Freedom and Independence. Please say a little prayer.
Later.
This is the one time I will not get on to him for shooting the finger. As long as it is discreet enough not to get him in trouble. I may be doing it myself. What a trial this has been. Not that it was not deserved, but the society that lives within those walls is hellish. The evil community that breeds off of the weaker and destroys lives and families. Everyone in there is seeking a prey. The uniforms are just as bad. It is a nasty circle that leaves scars everywhere. They call the outside the "real world". How do you truly leave behind this "unreal world" behind? Although we hope that the lessons learned here are retained forever, how do you unlearn that everyone is not out to get you and that you yourself do not have to fight and use others to rise above? I cannot imagine what is in his soul right now. He says that he couldn't see or feel God in there. As much as that saddens me, I can understand that. How do we rekindle that faith? His faith in God. His faith in others? His faith in himself?
He has had 3-1/2 years of doing nothing. We call that rehabilitation? I'm sure at first that he will be so very hyper that we can't stand him. But after that, 3-1/2 years of sitting and sleeping definitely makes a habit. He is already so far behind on the learning curve. He has been reading. Go figure, the kid with a learning disability has been reading like crazy. Hopefully, he will pick that back up and not associate it with where he was. When I think of the small area that he has been living in....well, I can't think of it or really imagine how that would feel. Will he feel insecure in a big room; be able to sleep in a soft bed; be able to be in a crowd without jumping out of his skin?
How long will it take for the rest of us to truly feel "normal"? To have that "family" closeness? To not hide medications or valuables? To not feel the need to double check everything he says? Maybe that was our normal, but I pray for something else.
Lots of questions. The one thing that I do know is that I can't wait to put my arms around him and feel his cheek against mine. To tell him over and over again how much I love him. To see his beautiful blue eyes, dimples and Tom Cruise smile. To hear him sing. He loved to sing. He has a whole new and different world to explore. Younger brother is so anxious to show him the new video systems and to finally be able to beat him in a game. I love to see my sons doing something together. Even if it is a video game.
We celebrated Independence Day yesterday and gave honor to the day and the ones who have given and are giving so much to preserve freedom on our behalf. But on Friday, July 9th, my family will celebrate our own day of Freedom and Independence. Please say a little prayer.
Later.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Success
Success:
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Copied this from a dear friend of mine. Just wanted to remind myself.
Make it a happy day!
Later.
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Copied this from a dear friend of mine. Just wanted to remind myself.
Make it a happy day!
Later.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Southern Comfort
We're here! Actually, we are all over the place here in "box city". I feel like we should be further along with unpacking after a week, but it is what it is. Each room is partially done. Nothing completely. A lot of things are in closets and shelves that will need to be re-done. Some things are still waiting to be found in a box somewhere. Guess this is all part of the process.
We are finding our home to fit us even better than we thought. Things are coming together. I don't think that I had totally bought into this house before. It was a symbol or a very hard transition in our lives. I knew it was a great house....for someone. I just didn't think it would really be for me. Surprise. We're here. Our ever growing stuff is here, too. It will be okay.
We were happy to find a boy across the street who is in the same grade as our son. He loves baseball, too. YEA! Also, his mom said that she is on the board of the PTO for the school that we wanted and expected him to be in. She said that she can get him in. No problem. She will be my new hero if she pulls that off. We have only met one other family in the neighborhood, but found out that there is a huge block party here for the 4th of July. Wonder woman across the street is one of the instigators. That will be a great way to meet people. The church that we have been going to is also having an old fashion church picnic that day. Sounds like a busy social day. Also, sounds like a multiple shower day. I'm just saying... It has really been hot and humid here.
The people here continue to entertain me. Really good, honest country people. People that you don't know tell you so much. We had to call for an A/C repair and the little lady that schedules appointments told me all kinds of things about her kids and grandkids. Including the fact that her grandson was the principal at the middle school we want to go to. Turns out that he is actually assistant principal. You know how proud grandmas are. We went to a country style restaurant for lunch today. The gift shop is full of redneck sayings. "You may be a redneck goddess if you have ever worn a tube top to a wedding." There was actually a NEW city ordinance that was just passed. It states that it is against code to park a car in your front yard on the grass within the city limits. Unbelievable that this had to be addressed in 2010. I really don't want to sound like I'm making fun of the people. They have been super friendly and welcoming to us. I am enjoying them. I just have never felt so much like a "city girl" before. But, the "sweet tea" here is super good. Ye-haw. I will adjust.
Y'all come see us now. Ya hear? Just don't park in the "fronchard".
Later.
We are finding our home to fit us even better than we thought. Things are coming together. I don't think that I had totally bought into this house before. It was a symbol or a very hard transition in our lives. I knew it was a great house....for someone. I just didn't think it would really be for me. Surprise. We're here. Our ever growing stuff is here, too. It will be okay.
We were happy to find a boy across the street who is in the same grade as our son. He loves baseball, too. YEA! Also, his mom said that she is on the board of the PTO for the school that we wanted and expected him to be in. She said that she can get him in. No problem. She will be my new hero if she pulls that off. We have only met one other family in the neighborhood, but found out that there is a huge block party here for the 4th of July. Wonder woman across the street is one of the instigators. That will be a great way to meet people. The church that we have been going to is also having an old fashion church picnic that day. Sounds like a busy social day. Also, sounds like a multiple shower day. I'm just saying... It has really been hot and humid here.
The people here continue to entertain me. Really good, honest country people. People that you don't know tell you so much. We had to call for an A/C repair and the little lady that schedules appointments told me all kinds of things about her kids and grandkids. Including the fact that her grandson was the principal at the middle school we want to go to. Turns out that he is actually assistant principal. You know how proud grandmas are. We went to a country style restaurant for lunch today. The gift shop is full of redneck sayings. "You may be a redneck goddess if you have ever worn a tube top to a wedding." There was actually a NEW city ordinance that was just passed. It states that it is against code to park a car in your front yard on the grass within the city limits. Unbelievable that this had to be addressed in 2010. I really don't want to sound like I'm making fun of the people. They have been super friendly and welcoming to us. I am enjoying them. I just have never felt so much like a "city girl" before. But, the "sweet tea" here is super good. Ye-haw. I will adjust.
Y'all come see us now. Ya hear? Just don't park in the "fronchard".
Later.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Next Chapter
It's very late, or actually early in the morning ,and I'm sitting here in a torn up house of boxes. Tomorrow they will be packing up my dear computer so I will be having withdrawals. I have got to progress to a laptop. I'm not even sure where I am going to set up this thing. I'm accustomed to having a kitchen desk, but the new house doesn't have one. :(
People will be crawling this house at 8 a.m. and "maybe" get all of our things out by the end of the day. This has all been so surreal. I'm actually dreading the house being empty. It's turning from a home into a house right before my eyes. There is so much of our history connected here. So many laughs and so very many tears. In the past ten years since we have lived here, we have celebrated 10 Christmas', watched our little boy go from 2 to 12, watched first love, many babies born to friends and family, lots of barbecues, many flowers bloom and wonderful sunsets. Even some double rainbows. We've also lost. Had a son taken away due to drugs, lost 2 mothers, a dad, a brother, a brother-in-law, a cousin, several aunts & uncles. We went almost a year without a job. We've seen divorces. We also got to be here when a young couple in the neighborhood came to us because they were ready to split up. We talked to them quite a bit and went to a marriage recovery seminar with them. They didn't split. Are now happily married and the parents of precious twins. It wasn't by accident that we were here. During the happy times there were people we wanted to share it with. During the sad times, we had "friends who are family" here to share that with also and comfort us.
This is one of those changing times of life. Finally, just tonight, I think I'm okay with this. It has been a long time coming. I feel a little bit of closure. My son will be home in less than a month. Our family will be together again, and I think we all may appreciate it a little more. So on to our next chapter.
Later.
People will be crawling this house at 8 a.m. and "maybe" get all of our things out by the end of the day. This has all been so surreal. I'm actually dreading the house being empty. It's turning from a home into a house right before my eyes. There is so much of our history connected here. So many laughs and so very many tears. In the past ten years since we have lived here, we have celebrated 10 Christmas', watched our little boy go from 2 to 12, watched first love, many babies born to friends and family, lots of barbecues, many flowers bloom and wonderful sunsets. Even some double rainbows. We've also lost. Had a son taken away due to drugs, lost 2 mothers, a dad, a brother, a brother-in-law, a cousin, several aunts & uncles. We went almost a year without a job. We've seen divorces. We also got to be here when a young couple in the neighborhood came to us because they were ready to split up. We talked to them quite a bit and went to a marriage recovery seminar with them. They didn't split. Are now happily married and the parents of precious twins. It wasn't by accident that we were here. During the happy times there were people we wanted to share it with. During the sad times, we had "friends who are family" here to share that with also and comfort us.
This is one of those changing times of life. Finally, just tonight, I think I'm okay with this. It has been a long time coming. I feel a little bit of closure. My son will be home in less than a month. Our family will be together again, and I think we all may appreciate it a little more. So on to our next chapter.
Later.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Honey, I love you but give me Park Avenue.
OK. So I just have to laugh. This has been a day of discovery. Now that I'm not working, I am trying to get the business of the move under control. Things like when and where and who. Things like electricity, phone, water. This is some of what I found out today.
- Our buyers are still calling wanting to close on the 13th. Today's the 8th. Now they have figured out that they will lose their locked in rate if they don't. Should of thought of that before. Anyway, house is closing early. We're not moving early. All is well.
- I have been trying to get the moving company to hold off delivery until after the weekend. We have some painting we wanted to do and have done before the furniture was in. Found out that the painter our realtor recommended said that it would be at least $2000-$3000. That is just for 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and the loft. No way, Jose. The movers can't hold off and are delivering on Friday. Oh, well. At least the main areas of the house were just done. We will get it done room by room.
- I called the Chamber of Commerce to get who all the utility numbers for the city. Lady was really nice and gave me a full page worth of numbers.
- Found out today that our new home is not in the city limits. You would think we would have known that, but no. Our address is one town, our school district is another, and we are somewhere out there. Big surprise! I found that out when I called the city to start services. After much talk and looking, she came up that we had no services with them. She said that they use to handle the sewer but they turned it over to the water co-op. She said that people in the trailer park would come in and not sign up to pay and they couldn't track them. Think about it. (Insert giggle here.)
- Found out that there is no trash/garbage services except for independent contractors. She gave me several names and numbers. Found another one on our disclosure papers. Can you imagine all of the trucks coming up and down the streets? I'm going to wait on this one until we are there and can get the "dirt" (pun intended) from the neighbors about who to use.
- Called the gas company to start service. Got the good news that you have to come to the office in person to get it started. The ONLY way to do it. She finally looked it up and said that she didn't show service to that address anyway. We have an all electric home. Didn't know that they still built those. Another thing we should of checked. Should have asked for the electric bill averages. I can only pray now.
- Called the electric company and got the same thing that I had to be there in person to get service. I asked about doing anything online or by fax. The lady said "Look, we are not in the 20th century here. You have to come in and we don't take cards. Bring cash or a check." I told her we were driving in from Texas one day and the furniture would be here the next morning. I really needed electricity and asked if there was any other way. She checked and the current owners have not put in a disconnect so she is going to write herself a note not to turn it off and just transfer it to us. She will even let me wait until Monday morning to come in to her office. Gotta love this lady. I just get a picture of Carol Burnett as Eunice.
Didn't get to the rest of the utilities today. I wanted to leave some entertainment for tomorrow. Can't wait to call the water and sewer people!
All I want to know now is .........WHERE IN THE HELL AM I MOVING TO? Green Acres? :)
Later.
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