August 28th's events

Well, lets see. After two weeks of rain, the house on 28th street was nearly waist high, and the mower has been down, so after $50 for a belt, another $20 for gasoline (remember the last jug was emptied by the ghost), Steve finally got the lot and the yard mowed. I worked on the inside, trying to pack the new set of dishes in the box they came in - which I knew when I started they will never go back in just like there were when you bought them...but I nearly got all of them in.

Turning to begin removing pictures from the walls, I thought something looked odd, out of place - so I moved a picture of Jeidyn, and this is what I found.

My flash does not work, but you can see it. The lower one obviously done by a skateboard - and well - the top - a head or fist.

So, another list begins of 'Things for Shannon to Fix Before She Moves Forward'.

I looked in the kitchen cabinets again, trying to take an inventory of pots, pans, utensils, knives and appliances, just to get an idea of what faces me when I get the boxes ready, and I honestly don't know where alot of this stuff will go. But me, the 'Queen' of throwing out - or giving away - knows where it will go now, and where it will be most useful. I called my daughter in Tulsa, and asked her what she may need. "Well, we only have 4 knives, and well you saw what some call a microwave, and so anything you can spare I will use." I told her that the next trip down, Please have the trunk cleaned out, and don't let mother send anything home with her and we will load up.

This only takes care of part of it, but it was progress. Steve's oldest daughter has recently married and they have rented a home in Fort Smith. Before the latest 'cold war' began, I offered these items, along with pieces of furniture to the newlyweds, but they chose to go the rent-to-own route, (as did many of us, and all of us learned a valuable and expensive lesson), but now have decided that this was not the way they should have done things. Steve got on the phone and offered to let them have some things again, and we will see how this one turns out. (Remember - lacking my assistance is going to be a challenge that he isn't prepared for). Don't get me wrong, I could care less if they have the items, I prefer someone have them that can use them - and I believe they will use them. Its just hard to swallow when you are being kind, GIVING away free stuff, and then you are hung up on AGAIN.

"So do they want the stuff or not Steve ?"

"Yes they want it, she is just being rude.."

"Rude? Ok. I'll leave this one alone."

So I bit my tongue. Again.

He knew. I didn't even have to say it.

When we were at the house on 28th, he made the comment that we were moving me out asap - over the weekend.

"Steve, I am paying the rent for September. I am paying the utilities for September. We have nowhere to put any of this stuff - remember? All the help that has been promised that has failed to show up ? I will NOT put my stuff in another front bedroom and live this way for any longer. You will help me get the stuff out of the rooms up there, and put them in the storage building that we are paying for - because that is what we are paying for it for - and after everything is cleaned, primed, and painted, I will put these items up there. So - you don't have to panic - you have one month."

And I'm sure after this weekend of NON WORK I will be blogging about what did not get done - but just for today, I'm going to enjoy my sunny day and cross my fingers, hope for the best and go out for Mexican Food !

We moved Granddaddy down last week. I promised him last night that I'd come and fix his lunch a few times next week to give mother a break, and we'll get in some really good visiting. You should see him now. Eating solid food - (the care facility had him on puree'), CLEANING his plate every meal, and is going to town on his walker. I'm so glad we did this. This is where he is meant to be. And at 94, I believe now he's going to outlive all of us yet ! And this is FINE with me !!