Stinky Feet

It's 1pm, and normally I would never dream of blogging in the middle of the afternoon. Between the bills and to-do list thats a mile long, there is never enough time in the day.  But I've hired a babysitter for the day and found that I was very productive today and had a free moment.

Things are starting to come together, and falling into place. Sat down this morning to tackle my to-do list and got 90% finished.  Some things are time sensitive, so while I'd love to check them off, I have to wait.  It's amazing just how much needs to get finished before the closing on the house.  I am thankful my closing wont be until January.  Not sure I could handle both closing on the Walpole house and the Denver house at the same time.

The tenants have agreed to leave the house in City Park early, well August 31.  While it's not the perfect situation, it's doable. Leslie is coming up to help with the move on the 26th, couldn't be more thankful for her help.  She's been such an amazing friend through all of this, I am blessed to have her in my life. She will help with the kiddos while the movers pack and load our things. She will  then drive with us to NJ.  We will stay there for a week or so before the drive to Tenn. Then after Tenn off to my parents in South Carolina until the 1st of Sept. My mom will fly with us to Denver and stay until the truck arrives. It will be nice to have my mom with us for two weeks.  But ugh moving sucks. I hope after January we don't move for a long long time.

One of the main reasons why I am blogging today, is I smelled Andrew's feet. I know of all smells, I walked up stairs and thought really, your feet?!!! It was overwhelming and very powerful, but I knew immediately what it was and started to laugh.  It was always a topic of conversation in our family, his feet stunk. His feet and hands after a hockey game.  Those gloves are so nasty. It's funny how I used to complain about his feet and his hockey gloves.  When he would come home from a game, I would make his soak his hands before he was allowed to come close. But his stinky feet and smelly hockey hands are what I want now. The things that made him  the man I so deeply loved.

His hockey bag is the garage, I still haven't opened it and am afraid what I will find a fungus or bacteria unknown to man. So I will move it and put it in storage until we get to the new house in January.  There is comfort though having his stuff still around.

Sold...

 It's late, 915pm and I'm exhausted. I don't think this will be a lengthy post, but rather informative. ;) 

The house has sold, it's official.  The buyers were approved for their mortgage and the closing is on the 31st of July. I will be sad to leave the house, I love it.  It's spacious, homey and the first house Andrew and I bought together. But it's in Massachusetts, a place I've never considered home. We will be homeless for awhile. Not sure when we can get into our place in City Park, and we have a trip planned to Tennessee the second week of August. No point in flying to Denver only to return and fly back for a week.  I will drive down the east coast and invade friends houses and then make it my parents in South Carolina. Still don't know what I am doing with Lucky the Cat.  He's not so keen on road trips. 

Our townhouse in City Park is still rented and I have asked the renters to vacate the place before their lease is up, at the end of September. Hopefully, I will hear tomorrow if we can get into the place in August. Fingers crossed. Otherwise we will be in South Carolina for a long time. :) 

I bought a new build in Stapelton that will be ready in January.  In hind sight I probably should've bought something that was turn key ready for August but this will be an adventure.  Plus I never thought I would be able to buy a new build. Super exciting. 

Amarilis, our au pair left us in June to live with her new husband.  We miss her, but know she is happy with her new life. I did find another Au Pair I was really excited about, until she arrived.  She's a sweet girl who just doesn't know how to mind children properly. After two weeks, we are giving her back and flying solo for awhile. I want to wait for another Au pair until we are in the new house. I think the townhouse will be too cramped and I honestly really just want to be with the kids.  Also with lots of support in Denver, I will get breaks here and there. 

Now on to the kids. 

Isla just finished her latest camp called Broadway Babes.  She preformed a play for the parents, it was super cute. I think she is a natural performer.  This week is a quiet week until next week when she starts swimming lessons for two weeks. She's super helpful (most of the time) with Graeme and being a big sister.  I've signed her up for preschool this fall, she will do to the cooperative school in Denver. Unfortunately it's only half a day, so we will have to find activities for her the rest of the day. 

Graeme is getting so big.  He walking, well running, and talking.  His first word was Isla then Ball or Boom Boom and now he says Hi,  and Thank you.  I love watching him grow and can't wait for him to really start talking. 

I took the kids to the beach on Sunday.  Really it was friends who asked me to join them, or I would've never gone alone. Too much stuff to bring, and the beach scares me with kids. (Yes, I grew up on the beach, which gives me a greater appreciation and fear.) Isla enjoyed her time, my friends parents were so amazing and kind to her. They took her back and forth to the water, and even offered to carry her in. 

Graeme loved it too, but ate so much sand.  And after 3 hours I was exhausted, so we left. But I am happy we went, these little outings make me feel normal again. 

I miss him more and more each day.  People say it doesn't get easier, you just learn to manage the sadness. I don't think I'm there yet, I still cry often.  On the way home from the beach, I was overwhelmed with sadness. Andrew didn't like the sun, or the beach all that much. So I know he would've fought me on going, but I still missed his presence.  His humor, I think about what he would've said or what joke he would crack about Graeme's speech or Isla's sassy attitude. 

Thanks for excusing the typos and grammar. 

Karla