Rhinoplasty and other sewing projects

Tonight I'm sewing on Pooh Bear's nose. This is the second time that Anthony has asked me to fix Pooh's nose because Joseph has loved it...with his teeth. And this time he has had to wait 2 days because I am in the middle of helping Maria sew a dress. I feel like everyone has found something for me to mend or stitch. A Halloween costume. A hole in some pjs. A nose.

Poor old Pooh. He was a gift from Uncle John and Aunt Theresa back before Anthony knew who they were. He was one of several offerings from their suitcases, and he was the one who stuck. Of the soft friends in this house, he has been the best loved and most faithful.

I admit I feel bad shoving a needle in one side of his nose and out the other. It looks like it hurts, and a few times I've paused to stroke his old fur and give him a break. And I know a boy who will be just as relieved as Pooh and I when this project is done.

First Day of School

In the grand tradition of parents putting little girls in fluffy dresses and bows and little boys in ironed pants with no holes in the knees yet, the Army had the soldiers dress up in their Class As for the first day of school yesterday. The evening before the kids and I oohed and ahhhed over Bill's awards, and he and I even had fun playing with an online "rackbuilder" to be sure they were all placed correctly. Do you want to know where to put your Congressional Medal of Honor or your NASA flight medal on your uniform? Check it out!

Since parking at the school is tight and the bike ride is HOT, we drove Bill to school and Cecilia packed a special friend into his backpack to keep him company until he has made some new friends of his own.

Our new home

is amazing. Email with address, etc to follow. :) Still can't find the camera cord.... :(

Note to self

When you take the kids to Chipotle Grill, buy their drinks before you feed them the spicy food. Otherwise they will sit fanning their mouths while Dad gets in line for the 2nd time--this time behind 10 other people. Well...at least I didn't have him buy my margarita on the first trip.

We have officially made it. We rolled into Kansas City, Kansas yesterday afternoon and were happily splashing in the hotel pool when Bill came back from post this morning. He grinned at me and said, "Are you going to play all day or do you want to come get keys for the house?" We move in tomorrow. Say a prayer that our stuff moves in soon too!

The Drive

Friday--We had our housing inspection at 10 am. I stood outside in the 95 deg heat + humidity waiting to find out the damage. Downstairs medicine cabinet broken. Downstairs carpets need to be replaced at a depreciation of 20% per year we lived there (might fight that one). Linoleum stained from pastels in the art closet. We were limp by the time it was over so we collapsed on the couch of a friend and let her feed us before we left. At 1:30 we were on the road. 3 hours later we had gone 30 miles due to traffic on I-95. Let's just say Virginia was helping us say goodbye.

Saturday--We started in Charlottesville and got all the way to Louisville, narrowly avoiding a repeat of Charles' car sickness from Fri. There is stuff everywhere in both cars and I can't take a picture because I can't find the charger for the camera battery. On the plus side, it's chilly out instead of hot which makes traveling much nicer, and Around the World in 80 Days has been a great book to listen to.

Sunday-Bill's birthday. Found the charger as we drove to 9 am Mass. I'm fairly certain the Mass was valid. To be charitable, I will only mention that the parishoners were VERY friendly, and we managed to leave the church by 11:15. We made it to St. Louis late this afternoon. At dinner we shared a 9" piece of chocolate cake and sang to Bill. He got a card and gift from his parents, some running shirts from my parents, and a card with the bottom of a Holiday Inn pen from us. I'd share the picture of our celebration, but now I have to find the software and the camera cord in the van. I know they're in there somewhere..... Tomorrow, the Arch!

Moving Day

This is it. We have to try to find space in the cars for all the stuff in the hotel, and then we'll head back to post to clear our house. My friend Leslie came over yesterday and did most of the work shampooing the carpets while I painted, vacuumed, and finished packing the last things inside, Bill finished the outside work, and our cleaning lady did her magic. The house is at its best so I pray that we don't have too many charges for damage. I advised Bill that his response to anything the housing people point out is, "That's normal wear and tear for a family of 9."

I don't know where we expect to be tonight. The adventure begins!

Saying Goodbye

This is the hardest past about moving and not something I excel at, but it's time to say goodbye. Bill's dad came down for one last Saturday of lunch and picture taking. As he was about to step into his car, we remembered to have him be the subject of the picture for once, instead of hiding behind the camera.

To all of our friends and family here, we'll miss you!