It Was One of Those Days

Today started out so well. I had a wonderful morning reading my Bible, listening to a inspiring CD and then went for a long walk listening to powerful worship music on my iPod. It was glorious.

Then when I got back I starting feeling a very sore muscle in the upper right side of my back. I must have slept wrong.

Then when I tried to get out of the front door to take Cooper to be groomed Mocha charged the door and knocked me down. Very painful on my left thigh which was added to my back pain. 

Then as I was getting in the car to go get Cooper I hit my head really hard and proceeded to bring down curses on myself for being so confounded clumsy. Sorry God.

Then after I got home I took Ibuprofen for my head, thigh and back and then I fixed myself something to eat and proceeded to get an upset stomach.

All I want is for Chuck to be here to hold onto me while I have a good cry. Let's hope tomorrow is a fresh start. At least he will be here Monday.

-N

One Day After Another

It is one day after another right now for me. I have been going through one room at a time sorting, cleaning and packing tubs. What do I donate, what can I sell and what get's tossed? I am starting to have a good collection of items for a yard sale. Chuck will be here on the 10th for five days and he has an area outside to go through, find items to discard, to sell and to store because I don't want to decide that for him. He knows what he has and what he plans to do with it.

While he is here we will buy the 5th wheel and bring it home so I can start packing it. There's a chance I may be here living in it for a few days at the end of the month while my friend's parents will be here. They will be renting the house for a month while they visit with Kevin and his family.  There is a brand new granddaughter to see along with a beautiful big sister to hug and kiss. It is such a pleasure to know they can use the house.

I've started working out at LA Fitness for this month. It is a month to month, no contracts so it works out well for me. I can also put a hold on it while I'm gone then start it up again when I come back. I like it, and it is very new and nice. They took the time to show me around, make me comfortable and set up a routine for me to do. If I'm paying money for it I will make the effort to do it.

Chuck got a little banged up this weekend. He slipped a few times and got some bumps and bruises. That is how he described it to me, no telling what it really looks like. I tried to take care of him by phone based on what he told me but it will be better when I am there and can make my own diagnosis. He laughed and called me nurse Nancy.

The yard sale is going to be the weekend after goes back and I hope the weather is clear.

-N

Back To the Details

This week has been more move preparation and taking care of the daily details of life. I've been packing up items to be stored during our time away. This means deciding what I could live with losing should something happen and that is not always an easy thing to do.

One of my biggest decisions is about my books. I have enough to fill three walls of my office and I am pretty attached to them.  I have pulled some of my collectables and old books and packed them.  Dickens, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Austen, and Shakespeare, many that are turn of the century (20th century) editions have so much meaning personally that I couldn't stand if they were damaged or lost. I read them over and over.

Took mom to Walmart Monday, saw the eye doctor today, tomorrow is emissions for the truck and the glass shop to order three new shelves for a corner cabinet. Happy!

I start at LA Fitness Thursday morning to start a work out program.

The one thing that has been really nice so far, now that I am not working full time is I don't have to try to cram everything into a couple of days on the weekend along with the regular things like laundry and shopping. Tasks are spread out and I can see a project, jump into it and not worry about neglecting something else. My wish come true and I am really enjoying the time.

I really like it!!

-N

And Just Like That He's Gone

Chuck is back in North Dakota. He left this morning at 8am from Mesa-Gateway Airport and arrived safely at Bismark. He said it was snowy and cold, as usual and he was ready to be back in the warm apartment.

We had so much fun together during his time here. One good thing is he will be back here much quicker this next time. Only two weeks to go. The time we were apart made us really appreciate every day together during this visit. We were able to get a lot of things done and made lots of plans. We have a clear direction for the next several months.

Last night we bunked with my sister Mary at her place in Glendale and went to "Toby Keith's" place for dinner. Her son Nick got a birthday gift from a friend that was specially ordered and as you can see by the picture he was very pleased.

 



 

We got to see my niece Stephanie and her family as well as meeting Nick's girlfriend Darlene. It was nice to be with family and Chuck really enjoyed himself.

 

Chuck was able to spend time with close friends and family which really made the visit very special. It also helped that the UA won their basketball game and stayed undefeated!

 

I've got more stuff to take care of and will be pretty busy until Chuck comes back.  But that will make the time go faster.

 

-N

I'm Being Selfish

I have had my husband home since late last night and today we have spent the day together. I haven't wanted to share him or his time here with anyone else. I have been selfish. Thankfully my friends and family are understanding. It has been a wonderful day.

Today we put earnest money down on a 5th wheel to live in while we are in ND. It is a really great RV with everything we wanted to make our stay comfortable.

 

 

We had so much fun together looking at all the models and deciding what we needed, how much we could spend, what the truck could tow. It will be a very nice place to stay and it has a fireplace!!

 

 

 

 

What do you think of Chuck's beard? It was a bit strange to me at first but I have become more used to it. He said it really helps his face stay warm so that works for me.

 



 

-N



I Am Overwhelmed

A huge part of this journey has been Chuck and I leaving the jobs we have had for many years. Chuck had over 34 years of service to TMC when he left there to work for R360 in North Dakota. It was hard for him to leave but he knew he was being led into a new phase of his career and is making the most of it.

He was given a farewell party and was surprised and humbled when Donald Shropshire, the CEO when he first started came by to wish him well. "Uncle Donald" as everyone called him had retired many years before but yet took the time to say farewell to a man he had seen grow up with Tucson Medical Center.

I was absolutely thrilled and blessed that my co-workers honored me with a farewell lunch at Lupe's in Oracle Junction on Thursday.

The appearance of so many well wishers kept me near tears most of the time. There were people whom I had known for a few months and others who welcomed me my first day almost eight years ago. It was a wonderful and heartwarming time. That they would take the time to be there was so special and the best part was that most of them wore green!!!! As the Queen of Green it was a treat that they gave me that gift.

 

What a wonderful memory for me to have. It was so special. Thank you all.

 

-N

Ready For Chuck's visit!

Chuck will be here Monday, and we are both ready for it. It will be busy week with so many things to cram into a few days. We have two vehicles to license, a lot of thing to sort through both in the house and in the yard. We have half an acre that needs to be sorted out. We also are going to shop for RV's and fit in visits with friends and family.

Chuck is looking forward to spending time outside in the Tucson sunshine.  We will be making regular visits to Tucson during the winter months during our time living in North Dakota. Summer not so much :-)

I am curious what the reaction of the dogs will be to his return. Mocha has missed him I am sure. Cooper probably doesn't remember.

Sasha is most likely indifferent.

I am ready to have my man back here to hold onto. When ever we speak I always tell him I will be glad when I am there to take care of him.

He is fitting in up there and they are giving him more responsibility all the time. He is a hard worker and learns quickly. I'm glad for him, and even more so when it starts to warm up.

Spring comes to North Dakota in March which means it is in the 40's!!