Weekend Double Duty

I can't believe it takes an hour and a half by bus to get to Emanuel where I work when it only takes me 45 minutes by car on a heavy traffic day. I'm grumbling because I am to be at work at 11 am (Split shifts 11a-7:30p until I leave) and in order to pick up my Clif bar and Life Water I have to be out of the house no later than 0845. Ugh. I am going to pack my computer up to haul in with me because I am trying to finish up all of my health class this weekend. That leaves only reading for sociology to do, and then my sociology comp final at the end of next week.

Tomorrow my mom is swinging by her friend's who recently moved back into the "area" (Silverton) and getting me a plethora of Ethel's boxes (the friend) so that this coming week I can start packing incidentals like artwork, photographs, keepsakes, etc. I am currently living in a town house and since Stephen was 6 weeks old I have had his pictures running the length of the wall of my staircase. It is going to be so odd seeing the place where those photos have "always" been empty. The reality of this move is really beginning to sink in. I would love to leave stuff out longer but I know that the longer I do after I can legitimately start packing, the more stressed I am going to be. Ideally I want to have everything but the large furniture packed (and even the couches cleaned and ready to go!!) by the beginning of the third week of July. This means I can spend the last week "deposit" cleaning the apartment.

This coming week is going to be busy: finishing school, starting packing, and taking care of stuff like making doctor's appointments, especially so we can space shots out for Stephen. I've been discussing the immunization process with him, trying not to just spring it on him and give him the irrational fear of shots I had as a child. I also need to schedule several exams (prescription fills, etc) for myself, as well. I want to have all my t's crossed and i's dotted when it comes down to the wire.

Anyway, I need to get Stephen to preschool and get myself finished for work. I think I need 48 hour days, sometimes!!

So close, and yet, SO far...

For the first time in my existence, I can actually say that I need a blog to really keep in touch with friends and family. Many of you are already aware that in July I am moving to Fresno, California to try out "living in" with my boyfriend, Dave. Our plan, based on my requirement, is that we live together for at least six months before committing to marriage. To complete the "living" portion of this we found a beautiful house in the community of Yosemite Lakes Park that is what both of us, oddly enough, have always envisioned as our dream home. It is 1800 sq feet with three spacious bedrooms and two full baths, situated on 2.5 stunning acres in the foothills, about 30 miles away from Yosemite Nat'l Park.

This move has been a hard decision for me--but not from a personal standpoint. My worries have included taking Stephen away from my mom (who has been there since literally the moment he was born) and in some instances, what I am leaving behind as far as friends, family, a good job, and other trappings I have grown attached to. However, I stand to gain so much from this move it's unbelievable: A wonderful, generous man who loves me and Stephen, and treats Stephen as if he were his own son, a wonderful extended family composed of Dave's parents and his crazy (but funny!) sister Tina. I also have a large friend base I am starting to expand down there. I feel like this is my life, 2.0--and this version is everything it is supposed to be. Date nights with a great guy, a wonderful, supportive, encouraging family, a beautiful home in which to raise my son and any other children I may have, as well as a person I honestly believe I will fall more and more in love with as time passes. He's not just my boyfriend. I can honestly say he's a BEST friend.

My last weekend at my job will be the weekend of July 25th and the morning of August 1st it's anchors away and my Penske moving truck will be heading me towards California and my new home. Stay posted. I will keep people updated with pictures, contact information, and general tidbits about adjusting to my new life in the sunshine state. I am *so* excited!