Packing

With the bulk of my work project complete, this weekend I hope to spend the weekend readying the house for listing. My desire to leave this area is bordering on desperate. As projects slowly get ticked off the to-do list, the possibility of our move becomes more of a reality. The next few months will be busy but exciting!

Scott is going to spend the weekend finishing up some small painting projects. We are not repainting the house, but the bathrooms and Timmy's room both need attention. While he is busy painting, I plan on tackling the basement. Once I have that cleared out, we can start packing and moving boxes. 

Things are getting real!

Painting

 After nearly a month of gorgeous weather, yesterday we were met with grey skies and heavy rain. Somehow, the rainy day felt perfect. It was nice to have an excuse to not work outside or 'take advantage of the weather.' Sometimes, just staying inside is exactly what you need.

While I was engrossed in a huge project for work, Scott didn't let the rain discourage him from his house preparations. Instead of focusing on the yard he repainted our bathroom. It is amazing how a few coats of paint can completely transform a room! I *almost* feel inspired to stay here.

We aren't going to repaint the entire house because we lack the tools, talent and interest. Instead we are being very strategic about our efforts. Unless a realtor can convince us that painting the entire interior would significantly increase our return, we are going to contain our painting efforts to the bathrooms and Timmy's bedroom. With one bathroom done, I feel like we made significant progress towards our goal.

100 days

 Yesterday I learned that the final words my brother heard before he was shot were filled with racial hate. I am not terribly surprised to learn about the racist recording that was captured on the body cam footage, but the news still brought me to my knees. The tragedy of Jae's death continues to compound. Trying to find a silver lining, I am holding onto possibility of hate crimes may be added to the mix of charges that the police officer is facing for murdering my brother. 

Of course, we will have to break through the 'blue wall' first, and that feels absolutely impenetrable. The establishment is designed to protect the police and all those involved. I may never break down the wall, but I can make a hell of a lot of noise around it!

On a positive side, yesterday marked 100 days until Christmas. My Countdown Snowman, which has become quite the tradition in our family, is now proudly waving in my living room. Be warned, because time is going to fly between now and Santa!

Weekend Wrap-Up

 Saturday morning I woke early and headed to pick up Robby. He asked to come home for the night because he needed more 'supplies' from his room and he wanted a home cooked meal. I love that he is only 80 minutes away. The close proximity makes honoring these requests a lot easier!

Even though he was only home for 30 hours, it was wonderful having a full house again. Saturday evening we built another fire and roasted marshmallows around the fire pit for hours. Robby has already accumulated quite a few experiences and stories during his month away. It was fun hearing him and Timmy exchange school stories. 

Yesterday evening Scott drove Robby back to school while Timmy and I went out on a special date for cheese fries and sodas. (He is still a very cheap date.) By the time Scott pulled back into the driveway the fire pit was blazing and more marshmallows were being roasted. Unfortunately the rain is supposed to roll into the area today so our fire pit will be out of commission for awhile.

Between spending time with Robby and cooking his favorite foods, we managed to get a few more boxes packed. In order to keep everybody focused on the goal, we have decided that we are only packing right now. We are trying to abstain from acquiring anything new or bring anything out of storage until we move. I did break one self-imposed rule by unpacking and setting up my Countdown Snowman. 

Who knows? Maybe he will be plugged into an entirely different house by Christmas!

Firepit

 While I have been busy with my day job, Scott has been working towards getting us ready to move. Because the weather has been gorgeous he has taken the opportunity to rake out the flower beds, trim the bushes and clear out the woods. Timmy has been more than happy to assist his efforts by constructing and overseeing a fire pit each evening after school. 

Unfortunately, Scott tweaked his back while raking. I ended up tucking him into bed with ibuprofen and two ice packs. Hopefully his muscles will have relaxed overnight so that he can be comfortable again. Even when the pain wanes, he is out of the cleaning line-up for the foreseeable future. Getting old stinks!

September 11 traditions

 Today is September 11.  

Traditionally each year we have baked cookies and delivered them to our local firehouse to honor the events of 9/11. I began this tradition when Robby was 5 months old and I was trying to come up with a way to explain the significance of the day without evoking fear. While we are baking the cookies we always discuss the heroes that rose up during that horrible morning. It's an odd tradition I admit, but it has worked for us.

This year Robby is honoring 9/11 on his college campus. To say that I miss him this morning would be a massive understatement. While I know that he is where he needs to be, I miss him. His absence is especially noticeable this morning when he would typically be helping me measure flour and crack eggs. I know that Timmy is going to miss him this morning when he has to deliver the cookies by himself. (He becomes very shy.)

This is the 19th year that I have baked cookies with the kids on September 11th. Timmy set out all of the ingredients last night in anticipation of baking this morning. Our local firehouse will be expecting our yearly visit.  I recognize that skipping this year is not  an option although I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that my heart is not in.

I continue to struggle with anger and frustration with the police establishment. My brother was murdered by a police officer, somebody who swore an oath to protect him. The good will that was established by the visits of "Officer Friendly" through my childhood evaporated the moment the murderer with a badge pulled the trigger. 

Honoring all "first responders" feels disingenuous this year. I've learned all too intimately that wearing a badge does not define somebody as a good person. Politically incorrect as it may be, I don't want to and I will not honor the police. As far as I'm concerned, the police can bake their own damn cookies and choke them down with their qualified immunity.

I am continuing to bake and deliver the cookies today because I believe it is important for Timmy to honor 9/11. Our baking dialog this year will focus on the fire fighters and the everyday heroes that helped on that horrible day. We are delivering the cookies to our local firehouse because I appreciate the efforts of our volunteer force. However, I am delivering the cookies after 4 pm today because the police officers the firehouse at 3 pm. I'm delighted that our cookies will be enjoyed exclusively by members of the fire department this year.

I waffled about what to do this year but I landed on upholding our tradition.  Perhaps next year I will hold a different perspective. I pray that is the case because I don't like feeling this angry and distrustful every single time I see a badge. In the meantime, I feel good about honoring our fire department while bypassing the 'men and women in blue.'

More Prep

 The temperatures have begun to plummet, leaving frost on the grass and forcing the leaves to begin to cascade from their branches. I love autumn at our house. Although I am excited to move and to create a fresh start, I will miss our beautiful views when the leaves begin to change. Our yard and neighborhood are gorgeous when the leaves change into their autumn outfits. 

Today the dumpster will be removed, although Scott and I have agreed that we will need to order another before our move is complete. (In our defense, about half of this dumpster is filled with the carpet that we ripped up in the basement, not our clutter.) With the large broken furniture removed, I feel like we are making huge progress towards our move. 

With the dumpster full and the weather cooperating, Scott has turned his efforts to landscaping.  He spent the day looping small branches and cleaning out flower beds. Timmy has been more than happy to 'help' our efforts by burning the yard debris in fire fit. Our yard has not looked this nice since we moved in nearly 20 years ago.

After work today we will go and pick out new flooring for the basement. It feels like it is getting real!