September 23, 2009

Today was a busy, busy day of packing and making sure everything was ready for our trip to Michigan. Before we left, I took a picture of the sunset, just in case I got homesick while we were away.



Dave ended up driving most of the way and our first stop was a little town in Illinois, not far from the border of Missouri. I couldn't resist taking a photo of their county seat.



And their road signs.

Our goal was to make it to Chicago around 7:00 a.m., but we found that we'd left a few hours earlier than we needed to. So we stopped at a little gas station/rest stop off of the interstate and snoozed in the car for a few hours. With kids, this made for a LONG drive.

September 22, 2009

My mom has been wanting me to take some pictures of her flowers and today's drizzly weather didn't really seem like the most opportune time . . .



but since I had to drop off some items at her house anyhow, I decided to take a few shots while I was there.




I have to admit that I'm very glad I did. Some of the shots turned out wonderfully vivid.

So much to do before we leave for Michigan. I did manage to get all three bathrooms cleaned and the kids rooms are still in good shape. Tomorrow it will be the kitchen, if I have enough time to squeeze it in before we pack up to go . . . here's hoping!

September 21, 2009

After an early morning and a trip to the bank, things started looking a little nasty outside . . .



Eli and I were out on the deck when the first big drops came down . . .




Elvis just had to watch the whole thing from the window sill.




It rained fairly steady all afternoon and into the evening, so I ended up trying to catch up on some housework. Laundry, laundry and more laundry.

September 20, 2009

Drizzly, gloomy Sunday. After church, the youngest did what I only wished I could do . . .



he took a nice long nap . . .



while I tried to dig through all the paperwork that the bank needs, to see if we can refinance.




We meet with the bank tomorrow. I'm hoping all goes well. And I HOPE I can get everything lined out and situated before we leave for Michigan on Wednesday/Thursday. So much to do and so little time to do it in. Things seem to always be sneaking up on me . . . maybe someday I'll get it together. No promises, though.

September 19, 2009

I can't believe this is the only picture I snapped today . . .


The hope of a sunrise was quickly hidden by dark clouds. I stayed busy working upstairs in my retreat until the Pastor called to say they would like to come and visit. Then I put my "superwoman" costume on and did a crisis cleaning downstairs. I just got things tidied up and supper fixed before they pulled in the driveway.

I'm wondering if I'll ever have a house that's "company ready", when someone decides to stop by. Right now I feel like I should put a sign on the front door that says "Enter at Your Own Risk".

September 18, 2009

Today was one of those crazy, busy days. Laundry, dishes, moving my desk upstairs, sorting and filing paperwork, sorting and purging equipment manuals, taking the Jeep in for a check up, and a FLYING trip to town with my sister-in-law. I'm glad my little Prince Eli is a trooper.

The craziness of MY life doesn't seem to effect him a bit.

September 17, 2009

Fuzz Face has started coming out each morning, to wait for the bus with Bayleigh . . .



and Eli has to get some squeezing time in, too. So I'm sure Fuzz Face will wise up very soon and just stay hidden. Until then, she will just have to deal with all the cuddling.



While we wait for the bus, Eli has to get a handful of rocks to give grandma (who happens to be Bayleigh's bus driver) . . .




and he gives her his "treasures" right after Bayleigh boards the bus. Then he gives her a big wet zerbert. The little stinker . . .




As for my retreat . . . I've finished painting Big Bertha and she is awaiting her new home. I managed to get hubby to put up enough of the trim that I could get her moved this coming weekend. I can't wait to start getting things put into place!