Mom and Dad

Thank you.

Thank you for letting us stay with you our last few days here.

Thank you for all the wonderful meals made with love.

Thank you for your graceful acceptance of our choice.

Thank you for your support, despite how you feel about it.

Thank you for your curiosity about our new lives.

Thank you for the easy conversations.

Thank you for doing what you can to help us be on our way.

Thank you for taking such good care of us and the dogs.

Thank you for your warm and thoughtful love.

We appreciate you.

Thursday

Dan is looking forward to getting to our new home, he woke at 4:15 and couldn't go back to sleep. I  think once we get there and all the little details are resolved, he'll sleep like a baby. I had a great nights sleep. Mom is already making breakfast, the smell of coffee drifting down to us. We get cleaned up and go upstairs.  On the menu; Spanish coffee, OJ, sliced grapefruit halves, and cuban sammies (my request). The dogs are a little neurotic, all the chaos and confusion has left them wondering if we are going to sell them like we have everything else. They are really clingy, not letting me out of their sight and wanting to be pet every available moment. They know grandma and grandpa's house and after the excitement of seeing them again wears off, they seem to have calmed down. I was going to bring them back to the house for the final packing but I decide it would be better to leave them with mom and dad, they love it at grandma and grandpa's! Dan and I go to Starbuck's to get some coffee and use the Wi-Fi then head over to Starz, they have a reimbursement check for us.

The U Haul store is tricky to find. We see all the trucks in the parking lot of a gas station/convenience store but no store front. Frustrated, Dan parks the jeep in front of the gas station. Inside, by the cash register, is a small U Haul sign. Turns out they are also a cleaners.

It takes us less than an hour to pack the truck. Betty is in the house cleaning and Dan and Irvin load the cedar chest. It is the only piece of furniture we are bringing and it's loaded with stuff: my Kitchen Aid mixer, food processor, ice cream maker, a motar and pestle, and stuffed full with whatever Deb and I could fit. The truck is loaded so Dan checks the mail, keys, cleans up the dog leavings and winter proofs the house. Betty is still cleaning and we cant lock up so we go to Las Delicias with Sue and Irvin. Luckily, our favorite waiter/bartender Jesus is there. We order up a Cazadores margarita, Jesus makes a mean one, and wait for our meal. Irvin is dreaming about Hawaii so we talk about what it's like and the conversation moves to great books. Final hugs, they go off to celebrate their anniversary and we head over to UPS. The Dish Net receivers need to be dropped off, then to Wells Fargo to cash the check from Starz, back home to lock up and back to Main Street to give our realtor the keys. The buyer's realtor never made arrangements to do a walk through or get the keys. Oh, well!

Mom and dad are warm by the fire, watching TV, when we get there. I unload the truck while Dan puts the jeep on the trailer. A quick shower later and we are having dinner at Carrabba's. Dad toasts to success, fun and adventure and we give them the details of our new lives. We talk about finances, health insurance, jobs, our house and try to teach him some Hawaiian names. Back home he's eyes close despite his best efforts and Dan calls it a night.

Wednesday

Last night was our last night in this house. Dan and I finally got a good night's sleep. Dan up at 5, me 6, we feel ready to tackle the last bits of the move. Even though I think my mind is free of crazy worry, I had a mild asthma/panic attack. I did some breath work (2 counts of an easy, full breath in expanding my belly and 4 counts of an easy exhale forcing all the air out with my belly, repeated until relief comes) and felt back to normal. There is no food or plates in the house so the plan is to work until 9, when Las Delicias opens, and have a last smothered breakfast burrito. Today's agenda is to get all the donation stuff to the curb for pick up, pack up the last remaining boxes, get those in the garage and pack the clothes and toiletries. Interspersed will be laundry, my final dentist appointment, Susan coming to get her final things and a guy from Craig's List is coming to get the bed. We will head over to mom and dad's to stay until we leave. Today is dads 80th birthday so mom is making a nice meal.

Sue, Irvin, Savannah, Jeremiah, Josiah, and Jonathan came by to get the rest of their things. Susan's eyes are red from crying, she breaks down three times while she is there. Once, when I give her the coconut wind chime we got in Kauai, and told her to think of us when the wind made it sing and again when I gave her a plate Dan had made in first grade. Irvin enfolds her in his strong, loving arms as she cries into his chest. Susan and Irvin are meeting us tomorrow to help load the truck, as they say goodbye Savannah realizes that she won't be coming. It's their wedding anniversary tomorrow and they're going to spend the day together. Savannah had this crushed look on her face so I go over and gave her a hug. She started crying and, with tears in my eyes and a shakey voice I tell her a story. She was about 3 months old and we were at their house, I was holding Savannah and looking into her big blue eyes. She was looking right back into mine. We held each others gaze for about a minute. During that time I felt this powerful surge of love and joy infuse every bit of my being. I have never felt anything so powerful before in my life. After that, she just loved me with all her heart. She would always be by me when we'd visit and ask after me when we were not around. She smiles and asks me if I remember that time we made a cake, her eyes still a little damp. As they drive off, Dan say that was the saddest part so far.

With Susan and mattress guy gone we go to Las Delicias for breakfast only to learn that they don't open until 11. Crikey! Since we were running late, Dan takes me to the dentist and we have Einsteins on the way. Wolfing down green chili bagles with jalapeño (me) and sun dried tomato (Dan) cream cheese and sipping on a Starbucks coffee, we go over our plans for the rest of the day. We need to get a pin for the trailer hitch, water bottles for the dog crates, the rest of the chantix prescription and back home to pack up the remaining things and get the boxes in the garage before heading over to mom and dads. Sitting in the parking lot of the dentist's office, we have a moment of respite. Inside, Dr. Chapman says my implant looks great. OK, off to run the errands. Standing in line at the pharmacy Dan cracks a genuine smile. It's good to see him smile, he's doing such a great job, dilligently attending to the details, but it's really stressing him out. Fortified with coffee and cigarettes, we trundle on, we are exhausted, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time. Mentally fuzzy and barely able to hold ourselves upright, we mozy on home to finish the packing.

Four hours later (2 hours longer than we thought it would take) we are done for the day. Everything that is left is in 1 room, about 4 boxes worth. I can get those packed while Dan, Susan and Irvin load the truck and Betty cleans the house.

Bedraggled, we arrive at mom and dads. We are dirty and smelly. A quick shower is in order. Did I pack my sweats in the suitcase, the boxes for Brian or the boxes that are being shipped? I guess I'll find out soon enough!

Walking into moms home it's warm, smells good, and, as always immaculately clean. We put our things away, wash up and head upstairs to see what's cookin. The table is decked out for dad (who is still at work) her fine china, wine glasses and champagne glasses stand ready. Simmering on the stove is her meat sauce: 1/4" cubed steak slow cooked in tomatoes to be tossed with penne pasta, covered with mozzarella cheese and baked until golden brown and bubbly. We have a beer, some prosciutto and olives and catch up.

Mom's Spanish Style Macaroni and Cheese

Mom's Rum Cake

Dad came home so we go upstairs to eat. Tonight is hard. They are brave, courageously holding back tears. Are they afraid I will get mad if they cry? I hope not. Their cover is broken when a life long buddy, Marta calls. She wants to celebrate dads birthday Friday, he says he won't be in the mood for celebrating. He tries to get her to come with us tomorrow night, unsuccessful, he passes the phone to Dan where he lays on the guilt. "we'd like to see you before we go". She already has plans. Dan passes the phone to me. I try, unabated, I say I'll forgive her if she promises to make my folks happy. She says they'll take care of each other, encouraging me to "go, live your life". We cry and I pass the phone to mom, she's upset too but recovers and they make plans for Saturday. I'm truly grateful for my parents, the life they have given me, the experiences they have shown me, the love they have folded Dan and I in.

Tuesday

Again, Dan had a rough night. He got out of bed at 2am because Lucy was snoring up a storm so he went downstairs to sleep on the lazy boy. I fell right back to sleep and woke at 6am. Not wanting to wake Dan, I stayed in bed and read until 7, I figured we needed to get going. I tried to be quiet but Baxter came roaring down the stairs and woke him. He said he needed to get up anyway. He now has a rib out from sleeping on the lazy boy. Another soy crumble and egg white breakfast wrap later and we packed the stuff Brian will be sending us next week (so we have staples upon our arrival). We took the dogs to the groomers and headed to the bank. We needed to close our account and wire transfer the money to our account in Hawaii. The bank folks we a little envious but really excited for us and sent us off with well wishes. With our money situation squared away we went to Starz to meet Brian and Tiffany. They are such fantastic people and, as a couple, I think they have found their soul mates, but, that's my opinion! I wish them as much happiness as Dan and I have had, more if that's possible. At home, we ate our last Chipotle meal, listening to the CD Karen gave us. Henry Kapono and his album "The Wild Hawaiian", is fan-freaking-tastic! This guy rocks, like a Hawaiian Widespread Panic with some Santana splashed in. Dan's sister Susan came by with Savannah and loaded their mini van up, they are going to come back tomorrow for the rest. Dan made some quick phone calls dealing with changing our address for our 401k's and credit card, then took off to the the vet so the dogs can get the flea and tick stuff applied and Dan can get their health certificate and some doggie downers for the trip. Meanwhile, I waited for Deb and Travis to come by and packed the dishes for our neighbor. Deb and Travis happily took all the food stuffs, the vacuum for Josh and the Blue Ray player for Wes. Dan got back from the vet, $517.00 less,  just in time to say goodbye and we headed over to our neighbors Jed and Stacey. We had a great meal at Texas Roadhouse and said our goodbyes.

To y friends and family reading this, sorry the posts are lack luster, I promise they'll get better once we are in Hawaii!

A Letter from Bernie

This just makes me feel so good! Bernie's husband builds computers and donates them to people who can't afford them. We really are leaving some great people!

Berni Collopy Holmes January 11 at 9:24pm

Marta...uh...I don't have an email for Dan, so please pass this along to him too. My husband is in utter shock. I may not see him for days. Weeks even. The happiest man on the planet says thank you, followed by a heartfelt "I'm not worthy"... All of this stuff will not only keep him busy and happy, but will ultimately make several more people very happy as well. After the initial kid in a candy store reaction, he seems to have calmed down somewhat and plans to take his time savoring all the new toys. To say thank you just doesn't seem good enough, but THANK YOU!! And yes, he has already plugged in the monitor and cracked open the tower. Geek.

Seriously, this is so cool, but are you sure you wanted to get rid of ALL this stuff? It's not too late to change your mind on the way cool laptop bag, and there's also a cool little wooden ring box that possibly has some sentimental value, and a 1966 100 peso coin of some sort. And film. Some shot, some not. Please at least send me your new address and I will get it developed and send it to you WITHOUT looking at it (promise). I think I have your new address, but in case you haven't noticed, I lose stuff.

Let me know how much you want for the white pantry thing and I'll come pick it up tomorrow sometime, if you're inclined to sell it. I know you were going to get write-off money for it by donating it, so I'll definitely pay you. Unless you'd rather just donate it, and that's fine too. I understand at this point you probably just want it done and over with, and I don't blame you one bit!

Gimme a holler when you can. If I don't see you again before you leave, I wish you safe journey and many happy adventures!

More Packing

Dan got up at 4:15 this morning and feels pretty good. A cramp in his leg woke him up and he thinks it's because he had to sleep in a weird position because little Lucy was owning some precious space on the bed. I got up at 6, feeling really rested. After a soy crumble and egg white wrap for breakfast we got to work. Dan's big project for the day was the garage. I started on the kitchen emptying out everything I wanted to pack from the cabinets and pantry. I left everything I'm not taking for Deb and her son Travis to go through. Dyanne pretty much cleaned out the freezer in the garage, so I guess now all that's left is to do is clean it. Sigh. We sat down to a tuna fish sandwich for lunch and took a nap until Deb came over. With her help I was able to get the kitchen stuff packed. Bernie came by to get an end table and loads of miscellaneous computer stuff for her husband. We went to Granelli's for a last taste of our favorite pizza accompanied by our favorite red wine Layer Cake. Of course, I fell asleep during the movie and again went straight up to bed.

Packing

Ahhhhh, sleep. We woke at 7am, what a relief! Still not feeling completely refreshed, as a good night's sleep aught to make you feel, we dragged ourselves out of bed to ready our selves for another day,  a full day of packing. After a breakfast of cream of wheat, Dyanne came over to help me. She made herself a little workstation and I brought her stuff to pack. It was a really efficient system and we were able to get everything done but the kitchen. Dan cleaned out the basement and now we have several piles;  taking, donating, friends and family and we have a big ol' trash pile for the guys tomorrow! We sat down to a lunch that I dubbed "crabs on black sand with white foam". It was the leftover crab from Greg's house mixed in a white gravy over black rice. I served it with a Colorado red that Missy gave us at the going away party. A lady from craig's list came over to buy my body bugg and left with a lot of other stuff and our realtor came by for the lock box, leaving me with a sarong and Dan with a Hawaiian CD. After everyone left Dan and I hauled out the furniture that is being donated and put it in the garage. Our plans with Tiffany and Brian were cancelled so we got to stay home and relax. Halfway through the movie "Rare Birds" I fell asleep, Dan woke me when it was over, I was in such a deep sleep I went straight to bed!