Complete idiot!

I'm actually talking about myself this time! I have switched from carefully packing and adding things to the list to just throwing anything at hand into the nearest open box. I was on the phone with Angie yesterday, or the day before, I have no idea when. So anyway, suddenly I realized that I was moving my fire proof box to remember to put it in the car with me when I realized that I had NO IDEA where the key for it is! Angie was laughing so hard at me I thought she was going to hurt herself. Keep in mind that all my important documents are in there so I can't apply for and get a new job without getting into this box. So after a few frantic minutes I realized that I had put them on a spare key ring and dropped them into my purse. Digging through my purse turned out to be an effort in itself. I have so much crap in there that I finally just dumped it on the floor! So it turns out that I shouldn't be so hard on stupid people because I'm one of them.

The beginning of the end

Well, the beginning of the end of one adventure and the beginning of a new adventure. I've always said that your friends are the family you choose for yourself. In that respect I have been very blessed in Richmond. I have met some people that will stay with me the rest of my life. I'm glad to be moving home, but that doesn't make the goodbyes any easier. For the second day in a row, I've cried on the way home from a friend's house after saying goodbye. Well, I'm trying to keep it at "see you later" because goodbye seems too final and I intend to see everyone again when I can.

Last night I spent some time with Julie and James and the kids and they were so sweet. The girls painted me a beautiful picture and even though he's too old for that kind of stuff, Roman gave me several hugs. I didn't even make it to the end of the street before I was crying and it didn't stop until long after I got home. Today the women I usually spend lunch with took me out to lunch at Chili's and it was such fun. I enjoy getting together and just laughing until your stomach hurts. We've made eating lunch together a tradition and I enjoy it more than I think they realize.

Tonight I had dinner with Dana, Todd and Logan. Considering I thought Dana didn't like me when we were first introduced, she has turned out to be one of the best friends I've ever had. She made me this amazing treasure box with all kinds of goodies in it and she made a rum cake. I'll be having leftovers of that for breakfast. She helped me get all my stuf out to the car, and I didn't even get to the car before the tears started. I have intentions of seeing her again, but the thought of not being close to her and all the other amazing people I've met here hurts my heart. I miss my family terribly, and I know this move is exactly what I've needed for a long time, but that doesn't make it any easier. It's sad really. I've spent months crying because I missed my family so much and now that I'm going home I'm crying because I have to leave my friends behind.

It all began with the one-armed man

No, seriously!!! I decided not to take my couch with me to Kansas so I gave it to Bernice. Tonight Julie drove the truck over so we could take the couch over. So I got the brilliant (sarcastic voice) idea that we would ask my neighbor Jim to help us move. He agreed to help if I bought him some beer. Before you panic, he's in his 60's so he's old enough to drink. While I'm standing there he says he'll get Paul to help us too. Well, Paul is an amputee! He had a prosthesis on his hand with the double claw on it. The situation was so crazy that I walked quickly back to the apartment to warn Julie and Bern. Well, of course, we're damn near hysterical. Understand that I am not laughing at Paul, he's a very nice man and I was thankful for his help. It's funny because Jim is already drunk and he thinks it's a good idea to ask a one-armed man to help us move a couch down a steep set of stairs. Meanwhile, I'm laughing so hard I almost puked. So we finally get the couch in the truck and I thought that the funniest part was over. So we get to Bern's and get the couch in the house. Her daughter in law helped us. Then, couch safely delivered, Julie and I set out for home. I don't even know how much later it was but I looked up and asked "where are we?!!!" It turns out that we had missed the exit for 64 and were about 20 miles from Fredricksburg. We had gotten talking and just paying no attention. So we stopped at a gas station because I had to pee, plus we had to buy the beer for Jim (he specifically asked for a 40 of Miller High Life). Do you have any idea how long it's been since I went to a gas station and bought a 40? It's been a while, but it made me giggle hysterically. Sadly, the guy didn't even card me. Guess I need to work on the anti-aging stuff. So anyway we finally get turned around and headed home and miss the exit for 64 AGAIN!!! so we went to the next one and got ourselves straightened out. I got home around 8pm after a 3 hour couch trip.

It's not about Dorothy or Toto!

Some interesting facts about Kansas:

Capital: Topeka (where I'm moving to)
82,282 square miles (15th biggest state in U.S.)
named for the Konza (also known as Kansa or Kaw) Indians who lived in the area
Nickname: Sunflower State


Dodge City is the windiest city in the U.S.
Almon Stowger invented the dial telephone in 1889, he was from Kansas
William Purvis and Charles Wilson invented the helicopter in 1909
Smith County is the geographical center of the 48 contiguous states
Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President of the U.S.) was from Abilene
the Geodetic Center of North America is about 40 miles south of Lebanon at Meade's Ranch. It is the beginning point of reference for land surveying in North America. When a surveyor checks a property line, they are checking the position of the property in relation to Meade's Ranch in NW Kansas!
Pizza Hut opened it's first store in Wichita
Sumner County is known as the Wheat Capital of the World
Uses about 90% of its land for farming
Produces about 1/5 of the world wheat supply
Amelia Earhart was also from Kansas

So now that you've had a lesson, maybe you can come up with something better than telling me to enjoy my time with Dorothy and Toto!

Stupid people

So I've finally gotten around to dealing with all of my utilities and I have to wonder how stupid people get through their day. I mean, seriously, how do they get around without just walking into walls? I talked to 3 separate people just trying to get my internet service straight. For some reason they couldn't understand that I wanted to keep my e-mail address but would not have a phone line for a few months. They tried to set me up with a dial account but then got frustrated when I asked them what would happen when the new tenant moved into my apartment and set up their own phone number there. The woman actually asked why they would do that! Seriously? Do they think my apartment is just gonna sit empty until I find a new place in Kansas? What sort of morons hired these idiots!!! The other calls went a little more smoothly, but it still makes me wonder where all the smart people are because they certainly do not work for the utility companies.

Bring on the pain...medication

So I had to have some minor mouth surgery and I'm thankful for pain medication. The stuff they used to numb my mouth during the surgery has worn off and I'm hurting!!! In a day or two I should be feeling fine, but right now the only thing that sounds good is some pain medication and a nap. Since I took the day off from work, I think I'm going to do just that. It's possible because Julie, wonderful Julie, came over last night and helped me pack for a few hours. So my apartment actually looks like I'll be leaving in 3 weeks. So that eased my stress level enough that I think I can actually nap.

Party Time!!!

So in my infinite wisdom I decided a few weeks ago that I was going to have a party to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Not at all concerned about the fact that I need to be saving money and packing all my stuff to be moved. Oh no!! I have plenty of time...not so much. I have been running around like a lunatic for days now. The party was on Saturday and I think everyone had a great time. I'm not sure though because I was too drunk to care. I made the food and set everything up with Julie's help and then we started drinking. Well, to be honest, I started drinking before Julie got there but whatever! So anyway by the time people got there I was already having a good time. I managed to bang my hand on the bathroom counter and now have a bruise. (very smooth!) Plus someone had to help me back up the stairs in my apartment at one point because I couldn't make it on my own. But it was well worth it because I had a blast! Hopefully my guests had as much fun. Now I just need to work on the packing. Hmm...I hope I still have plenty of time!