Overdue for an update so here are some recent events in no particular order:
- We hosted an Easter lunch at the house and it went very well. The secret to things working smoothly? Doing must of my food prep the night before. I made the mashed potatoes and reheated them by baking them in the oven in the morning. Made the Oreo dessert and lemon bars the night before. Also made a double batch of pasta salad. I had attending people bring sides and it really made the meal complete. Baked the ham for 1.5 hours in the oven and let it hang out in the CrockPot prior to eating. Mary gave us an eight foot table to have which gave us extra seating. Shirley and Stewart brought their folding table and chairs too. It was pretty easy to convert the living room into a dining room.
- It's been a hectic few weeks since traveling for work. I still have plenty of grading to do this weekend. I also had my health fair event at a local elementary school on March 28th. It went very well though but it always feels so stressful the day before and the day of the event. I also volunteered some time the first week of April for a local youth event that reaches all seventh graders in the three local counties. I worked in the tobacco room again so kids could learn about the risks and see cadaver lungs of healthy versus smoking people. On the second day I led a Jeopardy game about the use of social media. Each year I'm like "ugh, why did I agree to volunteer when I could be grading" but after I put in the time I'm glad I did so.
- On Friday (yesterday) I hired professional movers to take several things from Ankeny and bring them to the house in Ames. They moved my treadmill (now in basement), loveseat (in living room), my table/desk (in basement-storage), the king bed (in master bedroom), my recliner (front porch), and my dresser (Gavin's room). I don't know where my loveseat will end up as it cannot stay in my living room and I don't know what we'll do with the recliner. I may put my loveseat on the front porch as ghetto as that sounds as it would be nice to sit out there in the summer and read.
- Before the movers arrived, Dan and I spent about two hours at the apartment and packed up my SUV and his truck. My bedroom and closet are now empty. We also packed up my "office" too. I cannot hang up my clothes yet at the house because we need to install closet rods in my walk-in closet. It should be done this week. Other upcoming tasks for the house:
- trees trimmed later in April if we ever actually have spring weather
- organize office area, it's boxes and chaos
- organize "man cave"---Dan's job
- get split box spring for Gavin's room
- get quote for adding gravel to our driveway
- get a grill
- We set a date for a "Wahoo we don't live in Ankeny and Newton" party in May. We'll host the event on May 19th. I ordered some invites for it. Excited to show off the house and by that point it should be put together fairly nicely. We are going to grill burgers and hot dogs and provide some sides. I also placed an order today for Gavin's graduation party announcements.
Guess that's enough of an update for now! Time to do some grading. Here are some pictures from the Easter lunch as my offspring passed out right after eating. He cozied up with the stuffed bunny Jude received from his grandma.
Congrats on your Easter gathering. It sounds like better food than what I had. I miss those comfort foods that you can only get around family gatherings -- they just don't taste as good unless it's a holiday or you're surrounded by family. I am planning on May 19th, but I might be coming solo. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind've funny how Tony's house situation is echoing or following yours. There are so many things I want to do or move or rearrange, but it's all on hold or delay until other things are done first. I am anxious to have my own office area. It sounds like we're going to make an office in the basement where both Tony and I can work. Then, his office upstairs can become a guest room or something. Is there any room downstairs for extra furniture? A loveseat on the porch isn't the worst thing, especially if it's enclosed or whatnot. I'm so anxious for a string of days that are actually spring-like. It sounds like later this week will be idea, but first we have a snow storm headed this way for today/tomorrow. I might have a late start or one more snow day. Ugh!
I'll be grading stuff today too. Cheers! I foresee some wine accompanying my grading.