Kricky said it perfectly: happyhappyjoyjoyhappyhappyjoyjoy
)))))))))))))

Fingers crossed

He's got the approval in writing as of this morning. They're considering moving someone already with the company to his spot which would cut down on training time by 3/4. I'm cautiously optimistic that instead of the end of the year, he'll be home by the end of next month.

i hope i hope i hope i hope i hope

We did some brainstorming last night. What to keep, sell, and to-be-determined. He'd prefer to bring everything in a truck in one trip. I'd prefer he bring what will fit in the car week-by-week so there's less for the final move. Also, I'd have time to figure out where to put it all, what I need in the way of storage space, waterproof containers, etc. I already know I need to do some reorganization in the basement... and in our bedroom... and the garage... and the shed. Egads! Yeah, I'd definitely prefer it not all arrive at one time.

Either way, it truly doesn't matter. It's just stuff and it'll work itself out. The important thing is after three long years, he should be home to stay by the end of the year.

Oh hell, here come the happy tears again. )))))))

OMG! OMG! OMG! SOOOOOOOO DAMN HAPPY!

now if only I could get all this confetti and glitter off of me...
/glares at Peachy briefly, then resumes grinning ear to ear

Mom's been kind of mentally lost the last few days, but she's having a good day today. I'll take it! We had a talk and I explained my concerns about her health down the road, the need to protect assets, and proposed meeting with an attorney to discuss options. She agreed. I'll call today to make an appointment. Her mother and my aunt both had Alzheimers, and she grasped why I'm worried.

I need to be able to monitor her more closely with regard to finances. When we went through her monthly expenses, I discovered she was paying for an internet account of my dad's that hadn't been used since 2007 when he passed away. She'd never mentioned it, didn't know what the charge was for, etc. She had a couple other money glitches that Pooh and I figured out and resolved. We still need to tackle her multiple insurance policies and figure out what's going on with them, but that's a headache I'll reserve for another day.

The caregiver group I joined has been a Godsend. Their insight and advice is invaluable. They carry huge burdens, but maintain a positive outlook. They awe me.

So.... with that issue resolved for the time being, I can go back to my search for the perfect cookie icing that will freeze well and thaw without sticking. One must have priorities, you know.

went places
did stuff
saw people

yeah. pretty much sums up the weekend.

flour....check
shortening....check
butter....check
eggs....check
cinnamon....check
chocolate chips....check
peanut butter....check
sugar....check
brown sugar....check
nutmeg....check
molasses....check
ginger....check
milk....check

Ok, I think that's most of what I'll need except for odds and ends here and there along the way. I'm running about 2 months behind, so I'm not sure how much I'll get accomplished.

Oh, and Copper? If you tasted FrankyJay's Oatmeal Raisin cookies, you'd change your mind about raisins in cookies.

Poohbare is gonna help the girlspawn and me blanch almonds later. He's never experienced the fun of poppin' almonds outta their skins. I can barely wait - it's gonna be so much fun!!!! I don't think I'll warn him about potential ricochets (rick o'shays? whatever). lol

Dontcha just love it when sentences are poorly constucted? I sure do. The intended meaning goes right out the door, things are misconstrued, and they're usually pretty damn funny when interpreted incorrectly.

Case in point: Many of you know Poohbare is a coin dealer. He has a book of old pennies that had gotten jarred in shipping and some of the pennies had slid into hidden spots inside the pages. With me so far? Good.

Well, he's working on the book this morning, stands up (penny book in hand) and announces he's gonna go "sit on the pot and see if he can find the last missing penny."

I just stare at him for a second before bursting out in gales of laugher. He looks at me blankly not realizing how it sounded. I finally gasp out, "Be sure to wash your hands when you're done lookin." Huh? I repeat back to him what he said he was goona do and then it clicks. He shakes his head and wanders off muttering. lol

I'm still snickering.

Poohbare and I have been plotting and scheming and looking forward to tonight all week. He has ideas. I like 'em!

So... I buy a new nightie and a big ole honkin bottle of wine. While I'm at the store, I remember I need to rid myself of some unwanted body hair (yes, THAT hair) but I don't really feel like breaking out the razor. Specially since I'll be drinking the aforementioned big ole honkin bottle of wine.

So... I'm looking at the hair removal stuff at the store. I read the box of waxing strips and envision the scene in my mind. I already know I can't use them by myself "there". Uh-uh. No how. No way. But if Poohbare does it for me and sees me wince, he'll stop mid-strip. Oh, that'll look nice. Fringe! Uh... no.

So... I'm reading the box of hair removal cream for the "ultra-sensitive bikini area." [Insert implied wink and nudge here.] Yeah, that sounds good. And I buy it.

Poohbare gets home, we have dinner, I tell him I'll be back in a bit and scamper off to the shower. I apply the cream according to the directions. Wait the appointed amount of time. Test a spot. Excellent! Hop in the shower and.... wtf? It looks like I have mange. LMAO!

Back to the razor.

My daughter is taking a theater class this year in school. Apparently there's a Freshman play in which their participation is required. Surprise! She brought home the rehearsal/tech work schedule yesterday and I've just spent the better part of a hour putting all the stuff on the calendar. Just looking at it makes me yearn for a nap.

I don't know how the soccor moms do it. I really don't. I hear the girls at work mention all the running they do with the kids and I just shake my head. I'm in awe of them. Thank heavens I only have one to run back and forth and only for one activity for a few months. I couldn't deal with this on a more long-term basis. gah!

I don't know how I'll juggle work, Mom's appointments, the kid's schedule, and my own responsibilities, but I'll figure out something. Maybe a clone. Or an evil twin. Yeah, that would work.