The Help

It's been a trying week. When was the last time you moved? It's hard!

I have moved several times in my life. It gets harder every time! I packed up my 1977 Chevy Monza Hatchback in May 1980 and drove to my first job in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and moved into my 2nd floor apartment all by myself. It was furnished so I only had my TV - a 19 inch to get a hernia over.

Paul and some buddies helped me move to Omaha a year later. Betsy yelled at Nebraska Furniture Mart to get them to deliver my new bedroom furniture, table and chairs and gold corduroy sleeper sofa. So through the years I began to acquire more stuff. In 1982 when Paul and I were engaged, I moved to Counciltucky. I mean Council Bluffs. Our apartment was on the third floor in Sherwood Forest Complex on Littlejohn Circle. Thank goodness Paul had lots of strong friends, because by then my grandparents were moving into Heritage House - a retirement home. I got some of their furnitire - heavy well-made stuff! We bought pizza and beer for all movers.

The next move was courtesy of Paul's employer - the federal government, and Bekins in Griswold, Iowa. Paul had gotten a District Conservationist job in Osage, Iowa. It was 1984, and we used the same mover in November 1986 when we moved to Creston. While in Osage we'd acquired a crib a rocking chair and a few more odds and ends. We lived at 201 East Prairie until 1998, and then moved box by box to the new house on Port Road. Steve Crittenden brought his low-boy trailer for the big stuff. Again we bribed our helpers with pizza and beer - it doesn't seem like enough now...

During our time at our home in Creston on Port Road we went through a lot of furniture. When Dad passed away in late 2006, we ended up with some of his furniture when his condo sold. So there was a lot to move this time. The feds arranged for these movers and they were nothing if not thorough about wrapping stuff in paper - that newsprint type paper. Paul found a handful of paperclips wrapped up! The only thing that I've found that broke are two crystal water glasses. But that is a lot of boxes and unwrapping.

I arrived late Sunday night - back from Bolder's Memorial Service. Paul did a great job of getting all the stuff into our home and getting cable/Internet hooked up. But the place was a shambles! I could even find a cup for some coffee Monday morning. So the kitchen was job 1. It took all day to get stuff unwrapped and put away in those cupboards, drawers and shelves. I did my bathroom that night. So - 2 rooms done! But Tuesday and Wednesday I had to work.

Enter stage left - Amy Elizabeth Goldsmith. Actually she entered on Amtrak from Denver to Osceola. We took Odie to pick her up and we arrived just in time for the train! Odie was so excited to see Sissy (that's what she calls Amy). As soon as she got to the new place, Amy hit the ground running - she began unpacking, organizing and pushing us to put up pictures. It was just what we needed!

 

Dave, Barb, Carol, Mike gather around the food

 

We took a break to give Thanks at our niece Barb Archer and husband Mike's beautiful new home at the Echo Valley Golf Course near Norwalk. Their daughter Mandy is a cutie. Paul's sis Carol was there (Barb's Momma and the cook of the day) and sis Jean and husband Dave (our entertainment of the day). Food and family were just what we needed. The girls took a short walk after the meal, and Dave and Mike even played a few holes of golf - it was right before the cold weather moved in. Then it was back to unpacking and unboxing.

Amy was on a mission to get the dining area done, bathrooms set up and the bedrooms downstairs re-done. The colors are okay, but should be re-painted when we have time. Bobbie and Jeff arrived Friday to take us away to the ISU game. Since it was so cold we decided to tailgate at the brewpub on University. Amy got a bite with us there, before heading off to do battle with shopping crowds. We arrived just in time for the game - much to McKim's relief! Too bad the game didn't come out how we would have liked. We were bundled up and didn't suffer too much from the cold. Later that evening, Jud and Kara arrived from having their holiday with her fam in NW Iowa.

Donnie (behind in gray) tied Diana and me into our Snuggies...

Saturday, first Homemakers delivered the bedroom furniture bright and early. Then the mover guy came and got the boxes. Amy and I stopped at Goodwill. Then we went to Younkers and Kohls for Bed and Bath stuff. Paul was hunting. Kara and Jud sprang into action after a trip to Jordan Creek. They were awesome too - getting Jud's new room into shipshape and striking fear into Mediacom, who didn't have our downstairs TV online. The 2 bedrooms look so nice, and the family room and book shelf are clean and organized. I'm so grateful for my kids and Kara! Awww.

That night, Paul and I served our family Thanksgiving. Prime Rib, party potatoes and scalloped corn with fruit. Paul made a pumpkin pie and Amy had picked up some cheese cake. Did I mention how thankful I am that my kids came home and rescued us from weeks of picking through the boxes in their rooms? And trying to decorate? Warm fuzzy feeling in me. But I realized this a.m. I forgot the egg in the corn - damn that's why they tasted funny!

Amy's friends Rachelle and Jenna stopped by before the three former college roomies went out on the town. Always fun to see them. Love those girls, so fun to talk to them and hear them talk to each other. Jud and Kara slipped downstairs to challenge each other to Wii. I'm sure they had a dance-off. Paul and I were beat. We retired happy with our snoring wiener dog. Life is good on Cody.

On the home front...

We've been showing our house. Quite a bit, actually for lil ol Creston, Iowa. So that mean we have to keep it shiny and bright! After looking at houses last week, the pressure is now on. I know people take this showing stuff seriously!
Stewart Realty Go to #22 Listing 15552

Friday night Paul and I worked at de-cluttering the walk-in closet in our bedroom. After I saw the photos on our realtor's site, I was embarrassed. In our defense, I was not planning on a photo shoot minutes after I arrived home from DSM that Thursday, so I had no time to prepare. (I'm still finding things I shoved in closets and drawers when Roger the Realtor prepared for pictures taking - Paul couldn't find his clip-on sunglasses for 2 days). We also took down lots of fam photos from the walls - that's what they recommend on HGTV, and I'm such a fan ya know. Paul took a whole carload of stuff to Holy Spirit's ReRun Shop.

This morning, I ran around doing some last minute cleaning before the first viewers were to arrive at 9 a.m. We were "showing" the house.

I turned on all the lights - that's what you're supposed to do, even though doing so goes against all my environmentalist views. When we look at houses I go around turning off all the lights! Then Odie and I loaded up in my car and took off. Paul was already out putting up tree stands for the upcoming hunting season.

The pooch and I got gasoline and a paper, then ran through McD's for some oatmeal. Then I parked at McKinley park for a while to each breakfast and take Odie for a short constitutional. Yes, she did do her duty, and I was prepared with a bag. I read the paper while she sat with me in the car. Then we headed to WalMart for a few purchases, before cruising by our place - viewer #2 was due at 10 a.m. and a big white truck was still parked in the driveway just after 10:30.

I choked up and shed a few tears then, as I drove on by...unable to return to my home as strangers walked through it gazing at my beloved place. I drove to Calgary Cemetary just up the road, where I've spent many a therapeutic time walking and thinking. Odie and I sat, and I read my book for a few more minutes. After 11 a.m. I tried again and this time they were gone. Yay - I could go home again. Odie was happy too.

Fingers crossed that we get people interested enough to put in large offers! And when we do sell it, I'll cry again. This isn't easy. But necessary.

On the other end, we looked at lots of houses last Tuesday, and have narrowed down where we want to live - most likely West Des Moines. We like the new homes there or, surprisingly, the townhomes. But we're still looking. It's fun - but now I know just how much work it is for the people on the other end. It's such a big decision - very stressful!

Paul starts his new job a week from Tuesday. He is having an Open House reception this Thursday here in Creston at his office 1-4 PM. I plan to come home early that day to attend. He's been here 26 years and has gone from a wet behind the ears newby to an elder statesman. I'm proud of him.

So all sorts of exciting, scary stuff going on. Isn't life interesting!?!

Caroling

Our house - taken last November.

It's been a few years since I went caroling. The last time was all thanks to real estate. Yeah, that sounds strange, but it's true. You see when we bought this house in 1998, we had to sell our our old house at 201 East Prairie.

We put it on the market in November of '97 and made an offer on our dream house (this one) with a clause in there about selling our house. It was a slow winter and no offers were forthcoming. Then, after the first of the year, someone else wanted to make an offer on this house so we had to piss or get off the pot, to put it bluntly. So we bought this house and owned two. Oh the stress - just ask Amy.

We moved into this house in May of 1998 and got a "bridge loan" on it. It sounds like such a happy term for something that caused so much stress. Interest was compounding daily on this place. Three months went by with no sale. We had to do an extension of our bridge loan - Paul and I snapped at each other and at one point, I slammed out of this new dream home tearing off in our family truckster (white Chrysler van) with the dog. Hyperventilating, I didn't know where to go, so I went to the old house. Cleaning for a bit as I calmed down. Amy (age 13) thought we were divorcing.

We were desperate to sell the place. We tried Paul's sister Carol's advice - burying St. Joseph upside down in the yard of the old place. Except we really put the statue in the compost pile instead of digging the yard. And, I started bargaining with God.

I know - it's true I spend much of my time doubting there is a big guy. Hell I don't know if there is a God, or heaven. Or if we're just toast after we die. Perhaps we are reincarnated - I've seen the soul of a person inside each of my dogs. Bad people deserve to come back as something totally dependent on the kindness of others.

But when times are rough, I admit it. I pull out the Jesus, Joseph and Mary card. I pray to God. This was a tough time. I didn't feel like I could just outright ask for God to sell our house, after all the wishy washy feelings and such. So I made a bargain. I told God that if our house sold, I would teach Religious Education the next year.

That was a pretty big deal, and I felt a good one for God. Wednesday nights for a year, Leslie Goldsmith (sometimes unbeliever) teaching children about Himself. Ironic, huh? So you guessed it, the house sold. Not overnight, no God wouldn't want it to look like it was easy.

But after one deal fell through, shortly thereafter a nice family who actually had $$ bought our house. I won't EVEN tell the raunchy story about lewd hot tub repair man jerking off downstairs while the new family moved in and before we had closed on the house, causing us to wonder if the nice family would back out of the deal. Oh yes, God does have a sense of humor! But they did buy it.

And I called Karen Walters to offer to teach 8 8th grade students from the public school each Wednesday. It was a lot of work. God drives a hard bargain. I had homework putting together lesson plans. We did activities - artsy stuff I'm not good at. We went Christmas caroling! Driving and walking to several areas in town to sing with 8th graders. (They aren't loud singers and were not enthusiastic). Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

It didn't seem fun at the time, but looking back, both God and I came out ahead on that deal!

I miss my house

the kitchen, and our house getting drilled for geothermal heating/cooling - so green!

Who knew I could grow so attached to a bunch of sticks. Okay, those sticks are put together to make my home for the last 11 years - at 1705 Port Rd in Creston. (When we moved here, the addy was 102 S Port Rd., but 911 changed all that - glad I didn't have it chisled into the concrete!).

I love the location - on the edge of town with mostly cool neighbors. There's that one chick (term used loosely as she's a former druggie/chain smoker rode hard...) that has a crush on my spousal unit. She comes up with weak excuses to talk to him. Come on!

The rest of the folks are swell. They don't party late or start their choppers at 2 a.m. (usually). I like to chat with each of them and like it when winter is over and they are out in the yard more. I try to avoid the yard and all its accompanying work (I have allergies - hey it worked for my dad all those years), but I do hang on the deck.

When we moved into our house, we didn't have to rush into doing anything to it, but through the years we have slowly changed/replaced lots of stuff. Nearly every window (just 1 left and it needs to go). Flooring - we did recycle the upstairs carpet to downstairs, and used the kitchen flooring in the hall when we re-did the kitchen with bamboo.

I love that I can live all on 1 floor of the house - never straying into the basement. Have I ever told you about my aversion to downstairs - not just at our house...I pretty much don't like any totally enclosed basement without a walkout. But Paul finished the whole basement - framed up rooms, put in a bathroom and beautiful cabinets. At least that's what they tell me. Just kidding I HAVE been down there. I just avoid it.

Though smallish, our kitchen is gorgeous with the new cabinets and earth friendly floor. And the cathedral ceiling gives the living room a sunny look. I like to look at my wall stuff (the real walls, not facebook) and see things I've collected through the years. A postcard I had framed from Italy, a recycling poster, a photo from Cannon Beach are all hung tastefully low. Too many peeps hang 'em high. My mommy taught me that skill.

I told ya'll how Paul re-did our closet. And the bathroom is great with the terra cotta tile floor that is on a heated timer. Even Odie and Kitty Kitty have caught on to that radiant therapeutic feel.

Yeah - it's not perfect. The garage is small and the laundry can be loud since you can't close it off. But it is on the main floor. Yep, I love my house - and all the people and animals that go with it.