Monday, March 7, 2011

Just some updates....

I know that I've been slack lately, but I have to admit that quite a lot of you have been sending me private emails, and asking 'what's going on with ____ or ____ or have you heard any more about ____.
And so, I'm gonna do my best to bring you up to date.
Because we all know that I've been causing you a lot of sleepless nights, and keeping you from living life to the full.
And I apologise for that.

So here we go.

1. The Kid.
The placement with The Kid is going good. I would say it's going "great"... but that would be fibbing. Oh, don't get me wrong... he is a good kid, but because he's been in care for almost 14 of his 16 years, it's been a real battle teaching him "life skills".
How other carers could completely and totally allow him to skip showering and tooth-brushing... and allowing him to take the train to Melbourne on his own, at 15 years of age, I don't know. But they did.
And now I'm gettin' grey hairs because of it.
And I'm going hoarse as well, I think.

2. The Hay Bale garden.
Now this one did a lot better than even I expected... even though it took a while to take off.
Once it got going though, it's just going and going and going... kinda like an Energizer Bunny garden.
The tomatoes and eggplants are still producing, and showing no signs of stopping... I have peppers of every description still coming out of my ears and I've run out of room in the freezer, and I can't even freeze anymore!
So if you've though about giving this thing called "hay bale gardening" a try - I say GO for it!!

3. Moving Home.
Yes... I'm going home.
Soon. But how soon? I dunno. We're still waiting on the property next door to my sons place, although we're also still working on the manufactured home option as well. Because... I mean, who wouldn't want to have 2 homes? I guess most people would prefer houses in different areas of the country, but this 2-in-1 idea is going to suit us right down to the ground.
Because I have ideas...
One house will be for livin' in... and the other will be used as a B&B. And hopefully, (we're working on this one) the B&B can be used as a "get-away" once a month for a returned serviceman's family.... or a deployed serviceman's family - completely and utterly free of charge.
So, as you can imagine, even though things seem to be going slowly right now, there are lots of plans/decorating ideas etc, going on behind the scenes.

4. Cleaning out junk prior to moving.
Well, thanks to my friend Jenny, this one is just about under control. We cleaned out almost all the kitchen cabinets and threw stuff away and gave stuff to the Salvation Army... and to be honest, Jenny scored most of my Tupperware, because quite frankly, it's not worth trying to ship back to the US.

Then we hit the linen cupboard... where Jen also scored heaps more stuff. Along the lines of towels and sheets and doona covers and even a quilt or 2. And the rest is now sitting in the Salvos, so I'm down to next to nuthin'...
But just enough to do me.
Which will make the moving men happy, I'm sure.

Then we hit my bedroom... and I'm not going to say much about that mess, other than I was beginning to wonder if I was going to survive it. It was hot and dusty and never-ending and overwhelming... going through all the stuff that had been sitting in the back of the closets for years and years... and believe you me... I was getting cranky!
But we did it. Eventually.

So there ya go.
You're all up to date.
Mostly.

To be continued....
Maybe.

11 comments:

Fruitcake Sandy said...

Oh Katie, oh Katie ... thank you for your update. Guess you didn't find any frilly pink undies while going through your 'stuff' ... in the cupboards or linens! I have 'family' on the west coast, maybe one of these here days, I'll show up on your 'new' doorstep ... now that's a scary thought, uh?!?
BTW, the free B & B for service people, outstanding!!! Keep on, keeping on.

farmlady said...

Sounds like you're going somewhere? Did you say that you are moving home? Surely you don't mean that you are finally going to come back here to the foothills of California.... to Murphys, CA.
IT"S ABOUT DAMN TIME! Let's get this show on the road (well... in an airplane) and SOON.
I have some trips planned for us and we need to do this before the heat and rattlesnakes hit.

Kathy said...

Sounds like things are rolling right along for you Katie. I know getting rid of stuff is very hard. I've been slowly ridding myself of stuff for the last 8 years and it's neverending it seems. UGH!

Momlady said...

I like your idea of the B&B for service people. It's nice to know that someone gives a damn about those who are fighting so we can keep our freedom. Let us know if you need donations.

Marjie said...

Well, I'm glad you're making some progress on getting relocated. Even if it's slow, you at least feel like something's happening. That counts for a lot, right?

Anyway, 16 is a tough age for boys, but, if it makes you feel any better, 16 is better than 13. At least they're starting to care about what the girls think. And if you're giving him a grounding in reality, that's a great service in and of itself.

So, give us more updates when you feel like it. Don't be a stranger!

pam said...

Thanks for the update! I've been wondering how it was going. I love the idea of the B&B!

Bz said...

Good to hear from you. ....... I just know how you keep it all together with all going on AND a have a 14 of his 16 yrs moved-around-during-his-life-boy under your roof.
Amazing.
Truly amazing.
Like I've said... special place in Heaven for you.

Nancy M. said...

Wow! What an awesome idea for the B&B! That would be so awesome! Glad things are going well for you.

farmlady said...

KATE! Check out a blog I happened on tonight. Go to: backwoodscottage.blogspot.com

The last post was all about Murphys. I thought I'd make you even more homesick so you would get here faster.
Hope your plans are going well.

Homestay Mama said...

What a great idea for your B&B! And to offer it free to our servicemen..., well, that shows the true heart of our dear Katie, and it's why we love her!

Robynn's Ravings said...

WAYYYY too cool and exciting! Wow, love your plans for when you're back here and G.F.Y. for all the gettin' rid of stuff already. WOW again!


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