Friday, June 19, 2009

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, ...


It's almost time for three, two, one--- take-off! Chickens Abroad is gonna fly!


We got luggage tags filled out and attached and we are obviously prepared to do sink laundry.


I've read a lot. Some of these books came long before our reservations. I love reading travel books.


I've listened to your advice and I am thankful for your tips and wisdom. Crocs may not be much to look at, but my mommy proved their worth when she and I were in Barcelona.


what the?!
OKay. So there is still lots left to do, including more laundry. Help!

And if you are wondering about the house that we want, we've submitted an offer... nothing like a last minute bureaucratic decathlon to make things interesting! There were as many hurdles in the last 3 days as I've ever seen in an Olympic event. We are still accepting prayers and good wishes. Thank you.

laundry
clean fridge
clean pantry
clean closet
drop off donations
pick up rental car
nap
exfoliate
sigh deeply
drive to LAX

Never give up!
Never surrender!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Not Bad For A Monday


Maybe it's because two children have begun break, or because it rained on Saturday. Maybe it's because the house is very nearly clean and has a post party glow. Maybe it's because I finally found us a place to stay for the two nights in Belgium, so that we won't have to ponder the possibility of shutting our eyes in a train station... Whatever it is, I have to say I feel pretty good for a Monday morning. There is still lots to be done and the days are zipping past, but I feel kind of mellow and kind of *ready.*

He he hee hee...

That's my nervous laughter, as I consider the reckless daring of thinking I might be *ready!* Please note: I am not tempting fate. I know there is plenty left to accomplish. I have not forgotten the state of the garage or my our closet. It has not slipped my mind that Geoff is working right up until take-off, that my to-do list still has 42 items that have not been crossed off. Honestly, "I feel kind of ready" is more of a spiritual state of mind, a coming to peace with the relative state of our situation, than a "mission accomplished" kind of declaration.

Okay then. That's better.


In our usual fashion we have extended our celebration of Alex's birthday. One day of honoring and playing is just too brief. We had a cook-out. Low key and so very nice. Holly and Rich came with the cousins and Tutu, and the boys' school friend, Tamara, joined us too. We didn't go to In-N-Out, but we did bring the indoors out. Our dining table looks good on the patio... I wish it could stay there actually.


Even Chango approved, and he looked adorable enjoying the evening from the cushioned comfort of the Radio Flyer. Betty followed Izzy and Maria and did a pretty fair job of keeping the floor clean of melon seeds and chip crumbs. Good Betty. (Betty is a Chicken, if you don't know. Just saying, so no one thinks we abuse guests.)


Alex and Geoff went out and found a piñata. They make 'em tough these days. We all took some serious swings, with direct contact and the piñata withstood the beating admirably.


Of course a plastic bat is probably a pretty flimsy tool for the job. You can see Maria meant business. ¡Dale, dale, dale!


Here come the big boys. Even Holly and I gave it a whoopin'. Hey, Geoff put dark chocolate in there. You'd beat a dinosaur for dark chocolate, wouldn't you?


I think everyone had a good time.


Even before he blew out his candle, one wish came true: Tutu Ruth brought Alex's favorite dessert, her rhubarb-strawberry crisp.


So, what was his other wish? I hope it comes true.


Another wish come true!
Nice hat Alex!



*************************************************************************************
Goodness. I was tempting fate. It seems we may get our foot in a door... a selling agent is meeting me later this morning to write up an offer on a place we kind of, sort of want to buy. I am trying to be focused and optimistic, yet detached. If we even make it to the next level of negotiating it could mean our lives will get about 99% more complicated, and naturally this would all come as we are about to board a plane heading to Europe. We need a very good house inspector. We need goodness and light to align, God to bless us (more) and all conveniences of this modern age to serve us well and true. Suddenly my Mellow Monday Morning feels jittery, anxious, sort of nauseating, deeply hopeful, yet full of trepidation and fear.

It's a blue house. There's a fig tree. It has nooks and sunrise views.

Detach
Believe!
Detach
Believe!
Detach
BELIEVE!