Downhill Slide to Papillion

It's been a quiet July but I'm starting to get excited about the move.

Mac is all set to move (administratively anyway) and today we're sorting toys and packing up his room. His INS paperwork is all done. CPS has now decided that he can go with me to Nebraska and still be adopted from Texas retaining his Texas adoption packet. That is significant for us as it gives him free tuition to college when he gets there. That's a huge financial burden that I won't have to worry about. Just have to worry about getting him accepted! He's been having some emotional meltdowns lately. He just does not like it when he gets into trouble and tends to throw hissy fits (wailing, rolling, throwing) instead of just going to his room as instructed. Throwing things does not tend to work with me so we've been having refocusing sessions. I'm sure a lot of it is nervousness about the move. I don't think he understands all of it yet. And he's going to miss his best friend, Savanah. And I'm going to miss her like crazy. She's become my faux grandchild and she's so well behaved. She's a very good example for Mac. But these hissy fits are going to cease!

No interest in the house so I have found a renter. I'm going to let them rent for two years and then I'll decide whether to let them buy it or not. They want owner financing and I don't think I want to do that. Maybe in two years, they can qualify for a loan. The rent doesn't pay everything but it takes some of the burden off. And they are people that I think I can trust to take care of the place and that means a lot.

Jacque has been working on the house in Papillion for several weeks now. New paint, curtains, I don't know what all... She won't tell me everything so I can be surprised! Jake, Megan and my ex's sister Debbie have all been over helping. I'm so proud of them and grateful. So much easier to do all this stuff when the house is empty. And I can hardly wait to see it! I know it's unusual to buy a house sight unseen but since when have I done anything in the usual way! Where's the fun in that!! I guess I'll have to throw a big barbeque and invite all the helpers.

I have done all the items on my move checklist except the change of address with the post office. The kids arrive next Tuesday and we will pack the trucks on Saturday, the 7th. Hopefully, drive away Sunday morning. Hired a few people just in case my friends are smart and blow us off! It is so hot and humid here I won't blame anyone for not showing up. It will be a long drive (900 miles) but we can do it in a day. I hope the truck has satellite radio! I may have to buy one of the pod docks... something! It will be just me, the sugar glider and a cat! Jake is driving my Explorer with the kids (Savanah is going up with us for a couple of weeks before school starts) and the dogs. Jacque is driving a truck with two cats and I'm driving a truck with Ruby in a pouch, and one cat. I think Jake has selected the 'short straw'. But he's pretty patient as long as I can keep him from speeding!

I'm working for Shell tomorrow. It will be a long day with a lot of driving since I'm going to two different sites, one on the opposite side of town but I'm happy to do the work. It's a good session on Trust and usually well received. This is also a session I can do for any audience so I plan on doing it as an inroad into the medical community in Omaha. Many hospitals require their nurses to have continuing education so I can offer to do this session as a 'lunch and learn' and make some marketing connections.

My next entry will be from Papillion!! Wish me luck!

Summer Fun!

I've had a busy June! It actually went much as planned! Surprising!

I closed on the house in Nebraska scraping together every penny I had and a last minute line of credit from my Navy credit union. PHEW!!!

Jacque and I went to FL and did our course. Really had a nice trip and learned a lot. We're so anxious to get started! We even had a day of antiquing and Greek food before we left. Everything was done on a shoestring but we got it done.

Finally got a program in place for Mac so we can move in August. I have to complete his INS application and then he can go. We have his photos so we have to do a physical, TB test and have an interview. Why interview a six year old? But whatever...

So the trucks are reserved, the kid's tickets are bought and we're going to get this done. We're doing a self move with 2 20' trucks! I've asked the youth group from church to come over and help load. We'll see how that works! Otherwise, it's going to be a few very tiring days for us.

I drove to east Tx to my brother's lake house. It's a gorgeous spot and they are always so fun to hang out with. Float in the pool, feed the catfish and turtles, watch the deer, birds, etc. Left Mac there for one night and drove another 700 miles to St Louis to see the Eagles. (The reason I bought tickets in St. Louis is that was the closest place they were playing to Omaha and I was supposed to be in NE by now!) I tried to sell my tickets but didn't so Jacque drove down from Omaha and I drove up. It was a long, long drive but the concert was great. Hot and crowded on the floor of Busch Stadium but really, really great. I'll go again every chance I get! Glenn Fry told the best joke: "I'm from Detroit where "mother" is half a word!" Don Henley ate a bug accidentally and joked about the protein. Timothy Schmidt's hair is still super long; must be like Sampson's hair cause he still sings and plays great. And Joe Walsh is still a wonder on the guitar even sober. But why did he put on a jacket in the middle of the concert when it was 100 degrees??? The Eagles are the greatest band of all time...

My house is NOT selling STILL. I've lowered the price. The open house was a failure. I'm interviewing another realtor tomorrow but basically when the stimulus expired, housing sales have dropped dramatically.

Well, that's about all... I did a couple of training sessions on "The Speed of Trust" for Shell and they want me to do two more so that money will help although I'm not charging much! It'll pay for one truck! LOL

Say a prayer for me to sell this DANG HOUSE!!