Vacation Day One

For the first time in my life, I was ready to leave on our trip the night before. I had all the bags packed and sitting by the table, ready to be loaded in the car. I suppose I could have went a step further and loaded the car but I wouldn't want to spoil Kevin. I had to run Kaelyn up to get "the trims cut" off her hair so that slowed us down a few minutes. We were to be in Columbia by 10 am to pick up the rental car. We didn't quite make it but managed to head out of Columbia a little after 11. Our car was a 2007 Chrysler Sebring. It was a nice car but a little tight with all we were bringing with us plus the four of us. We squeezed in and made it okay.

We drove to Seminole, Oklahoma, arriving there around 7 pm. The girls were so good, watching movies and coloring in their color books. I actually got to read an entire book, The Shack, during the drive. I highly recommend this book and would pass on my copy to anyone interested in it. You can read about it here www.theshackbook.com

We first went to Kevin's Aunt Norma's home in Seminole. She had dinner waiting for us...Meatloaf, corn and the best twice-baked potatoes. I meant to write down the recipe and forgot so Norma if you read this, I want that recipe please! Norma has a beautiful home filled with her collections and cross-stitching. The girls did good looking and not touching.

After dinner, we drove out to the Crews farm. Kevin wanted to see his Aunt Karen, who he hadn't seen in years. His Aunt Janice, Aunt Reba and Uncle Fredore were also there as well as Grandma Crews. The Crews farm is so peaceful and I love sitting on the front porch of the home, looking out over the property. Reba and David keep the grounds immaculate.

After visiting, we returned to Norma's and had a good night's sleep.

We didn't take any pictures on the first day of our trip but here is one of the Crews farm:

Home Sweet Home

And as always, "We make plans, and God laughs". The girls and I just got home tonight, three days after our planned arrival home. My Uncle Tim passed away so we split ways with Kevin in Kansas and went to Nebraska for the funeral. But we are home now and I will start writing about our trip tomorrow.

Packing Up

It's almost 8 pm and I still have a ton to do! But I will get there. I am so excited to leave. We really need some family time.

Here's our itinerary: leave tomorrow and go to Seminole, Oklahoma. We'll go to the Crews family reunion in Bowlegs, Oklahoma on Saturday and then leave that night for Magnolia, Texas. On Monday, we'll drive to Galveston for two days and then return to Magnolia until Thursday morning. Then we start the very long trek home.

Just in time for the weekend!

I could write more, but time to pack.

One More Day

Only one day before we leave on vacation. And I have a ton of stuff to do. Why do I always wait until the last minute? We are renting a car and driving to Seminole, Oklahoma for the Crews family reunion and then we'll drive on to Houston, Texas to visit Kevin's mom and dad. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for that many hours in the cars with the girls. They are actually very good riders but this will be a lot of riding! I have the DVD players to help entertain them.

Only My Husband...

Kevin is a nature fanatic. He likes all animals but really prefers the creepy-crawly ones like snakes, lizards and bugs. He has a box in the garage of turtle shells that he has collected over the years. He is constantly bringing home live turtles that he saves off the highway. And then I have to convince Kaelyn that no, we really can't have a turtle as a pet.

The other day, he came into the house and yelled "Do we have any nail polish remover?" I answered, that it was under the bathroom sink, then thought to ask what he wanted it for. "Nothing," came his reply. Nothing? Kevin needs nail polish remover for nothing? This set off alarms in my head so I went to check. He had found a butterfly and put it in a jar with a cotton ball with the nail polish remover on it, in order to kill and preserve the butterfly. Great.

Later that same week, I had bought two bottles of rubbing alcohol to make carpet cleaner. I noticed that half a bottle was gone and asked Kevin about it. He once again, replied "nothing" when I asked what he had done with it. One look was all it took for him to come clean. He was using the alcohol to soak a bird's skull that he had found in the yard!

Last week he came home with a giant moth that he befriended at the gas station on his way home from work. This thing is BIG and scary looking, but also quite beautiful, if you like that sort of thing, which I guess Kevin does, but I do not! This moth (butterflys have antennae with knobs in the end, moths have feathery protusions) has been living in our playroom all week. The first night it was here, it took flight and landed on Kevin's hand, and either defacated or laid eggs on his finger. We weren't sure which. Kevin was so proud!

I finally identified the species of moth, it is a type of silkmoth native to the Rocky Mountain area. I don't know how she got to Missouri! Notice, I called it a "she", it was eggs she was laying on Kevin's finger. I have learned a great deal about the life cycle of this moth and I am afraid that I will be learning a lot more. During her short stay, she has laid close to eighty eggs in my window sill, which of course Kevin plans to nurture. They should hatch in 9-14 days. After laying all of these eggs, the adult moth will soon die, and the circle of life continues.

Did you know that an adult silkmoth does not eat, that it doesn't even have any type of mouth? Interesting. I am sure I will be updating on our moth saga but in the meantime, here are some pictures of the little lady.

Family Fun Day

According to the Fly Lady, Saturday's should be Family Fun Days. So, this is what we did yesterday. All of us drove to the lake and first went to the Lake of the Ozarks State Park. We swam in the lake and enjoyed the sunshine. Then we had a picnic lunch before going to Ha Ha Tonka State Park to walk the trails. I had always wanted a picnic basket set but never could justify spending the money on one. After Kevin's Grandma passed away, we received hers. The girls had never seen it, and they were so impressed with the pastel plates, cups and silverware. They each picked out their color and ate from that. On the way home, we stopped at Sonic and had ice cream cones. It really was a perfect day! Here are some pictures.

Frustrated!

I was going to write a long post about our day today. With pictures and everything. But my computer is not acknowledging my memory card tonight for some reason so I can't load my pictures. Maybe tomorrow. I am tired tonight anyway.

Walking in the Rain

I walked again today...not for as long but it was raining out. But I still walked. I want to stay on track and make NO excuses for exercise! At least I didn't about croak from heat exhaustion.

Fly Lady

It is no wonder that I accomplished next to nothing while I was still working. Mind you I worked a lot of hours and Kevin and I worked opposite one another so we were rarely home together. Kevin tried but his idea of cleanliness and mine are a little different. I feel I have been busy all day and still am just getting the work done. The house is looking pretty good but I need to start working on some of the "special" projects, otherwise known as closets. They are overflowing. I am rereading the Fly Lady book and am going to try to follow her routines. She is awesome!

Overheated

I did a really dumb thing today. I overslept until about 10:15a. With Kevin not off until 11pm, he doesn't get home until close to midnight. I have a hard time sleeping before he gets home. We seem to be sleeping in later and later, all of us, including the girls. I really wanted to get back to my walking today so I headed out at 11:20 am. I walked for 45 minutes down a gravel road near our house. It was a pleasant walk, and as I walked I listened to the Fly Lady podcast. Once I turned around and headed back, I realized that I was really getting tired and hot. I finally made it home and crashed on the bed. I looked at the thermometer we have, and it was almost 95 degrees! I was red from head to toe. I took a cool bath and drank a lot of water. I have a slight headache and some nausea but am feeling better. I also have diarrhea (too much information, I realize) so don't know if this is all from the heat or something else going on. I tend to get overheated easily so will stay inside for the rest of the day. I needed to get some groceries but the air conditioner isn't working in my car and I wasn't about to head in after this happened. I guess I am going to have to start training myself to get up earlier to walk when it is cooler out.

Interview

Okay, the job interview was a little strange. It went well, I thought. The lady doing the interview was very nice but seemed concerned that the job entailed doing the same stuff I did at Woodhaven. She wondered if I had gone to school to get my Masters just to keep doing what I had been doing for eleven years. I have to seriously consider that myself. We'll see...I'm not going to worry it too hard until I get offered the job! Then I will have some decisions to make.

We got the girls another little pool yesterday. The last one we bought got a tear in the bottom and wouldn't hold water. They had fun. I also got myself an awesome lounge chair. I have been really trying to pinch pennies so this was a bit of a splurge for me but I really love it. It is so comfy and since I have to be outside when the girls swim, at least I can be comfortable. It felt so good, laying in the sun with a good book, that I got sunburned again. This time on my legs. Course I don't think they have seen the sun in several years!

Job Interview Response

I emailed Kevin about being nervous about the interview and I just had to share his response because it was that sweet:

I think you should be relaxed becuase you have the option. But in the same breath we should trust God. I think he knows about our circumstance and he probably has more information about us than we care to know but he knows what is best for us and you. I want you to go into that whole hearted and prepared to find something that you have been looking for and asking God for. This way if it isnt what you have been praying for you will know. ILY

Job Interview

I have a job interview tomorrow. I am getting a little nervous about it. I haven't had a job interview in over eleven years. Yikes! I'm not too nervous though because I know I know my stuff and I don't really know that I want a job anyway. I am enjoying being at home and hope to pursue my business so that I can stay home permanently. But we'll see.

Mom and I started sewing on the dresses for the girls. We didn't get too far. The sewing machine kept acting up. I realize now why I don't sew. I am way too impatient for sewing. But there are so many cute patterns for little girls that I want to learn how to do this.

Nothing else new to report for today.

The Crews Zoo

I have decided to really try to potty train Kate. So far today she has peed in the potty chair three times and pooped once in her training pants. Not too bad of a start! She's not coming to me and going, but will sit down when I ask her too, and offer her some candy. She'll sit there until she squeezes some urine out and gleefully claim her prize. So, I'm not sure if we are on the right track or not. There has been a few times when I have went into the bathroom and noticed urine in the potty chair that she just did herself. I would love to have her trained before our week long trip but that may be asking for too much. I just put her down for a nap in training pants and the little plastic cover thing. I am going to try to just use diapers at night.

In other news, we are puppy sitting all week. That is always a good time. One of the puppies is so cute. I have changed his name from "Hitler" to "The Poky Little Puppy". He is the laziest little thing. Whenever I can't find him, I know to go look in the laundry room and there he'll be curled up on the dirty clothes. It is definitely a zoo around here now, especially at food time with all four dogs vying for their bowl first. And Sam Henry, the cat, on top of the washer, meowing for his bowl. Add in the three birds, singing their songs of hunger and wowza! Welcome to the Crews Zoo!

Goodbye, Farewell, So Long, Vaya Con Dios, Good Luck, Wish You Well, Take it Slow, Easy Come, Girl, Easy Go" Party

Tonight was our party at El Jimador. We had a nice turn out and it was fun. There were a few awkward moments but all in all, it went well. I have worked with these people for so many years, it is hard to say goodbye. But I have faith that I am being moved into a different direction and am open to the possibilities.

It was strange walking back into the office building, no longer an employee. So different, yet so much the same. I got a big hug from our HR director and he commented that I looked stress-free! I'm working on it! I'm sure I looked much less stressed than the last time I saw him, giving him my resignation with tears streaming down my face. That was the hardest decision I have ever made. I will always believe in the mission of this company and will always take great pride in the team I built and the services we provided. But I had accomplished all I could there and it was time to move on.

Losing Track

We got a blow up pool last night and got it put up and filled this morning. The girls had so much fun playing outside today. We put the pool so the slide goes into the pool and they pretended it was a water park. The water was so cold but after a few minutes out in the heat, it felt great to walk through. We are all pink now as I didn't think to use sunscreen. The girls are taking a cool bath now and soon they will be in bed and it will be my turn.

I worked on my internship goals some more today and got them sent off for review. I also started working on my portfolio, or binder to keep everything organized. I checked and had received a grade for the last class I took, another A. As the internship is pass/fail, I have completed the program with a 4.0 GPA! Go me!

Still trying to think of a company name and am leaning toward Heather Crews Consulting. Not very original, but also not limiting to what kind of consulting I may do in the future. Kevin suggested Gemini Consulting and Training but did a Google search and it is way overused. Too bad, I kind of liked that one. I need to sit down with a thesaurus and see what I come up with.

Back to Business

This is my fifth week of unemployment. I have loved every minute of it. But I have accomplished next to nothing and I do not want to waste this time. It truly has been a gift dropped into my lap and I want to use it to my advantage. So, it is time to get busy. I reworked my internship objectives tonight and sent them in for review. I have a meeting on Thursday to discuss my first consulting job. It's with Woodhaven, but hey, they are paying me to do work for them so it counts! I am trying to find a name for my company and am hitting lots of dead ends with that. Any ideas out there?

I am going to start back to walking in the morning too.

And I bought material to make the girls some sundresses even though I don't sew.

And I really, really want to start scrapbooking.

And I need to keep on organizing my house and closets and garage.

And I discovered podcasts today and I already downloaded 11 to listen to. But I can multitask and do that whenI am walking so that is all good.

And can't forget our "Goodbye, farewell, so long, Vaya con dios, good luck, Wish you well, take it slow. Easy come, girl, easy go." party for all of us that have recently left Woodhaven, Thursday night at El Jimador.

And vacation in just three weeks.

Whew!

Here is a picture from our girls weekend:

It was a lot of fun and good for the soul!