Tuesday, March 3, 2009

I must be CRAZY!!!

I am SO EXHAUSTED!!!  I wanted to give a quick update since it's been a while since I last wrote....  My trip to TX went well.  My dad and I rode down in his truck and my brothers took my truck and followed us.  We arrived Saturday evening.  On Sunday we were busy taking down the swingset, Julia's loft bed, and putting the wheels back on the boat trailer among other things.  Monday morning, my brothers headed back up to NE pulling the boat behind them.  The packers arrived soon after.  My dad and I decided to get a hotel since there wasn't much left to sleep on.  I enjoyed my "extra" time in the evenings spending time with my TX girlfriends.  On Wednesday, the movers arrived and loaded up all the boxes and furniture.  Once they left, dad, and my friends Paige and Ali helped me clean the house.  Dad then went back to the hotel which allowed Paige, Ali and I to have one last "hoorah" at my home.  It was SO hard leaving it.  It's always hard leaving a home, but this one was especially hard to leave.  But, as we left for NE early Thursday morning, I was able to close that chapter and start another one.  We arrived in NE late Thursday night and by Friday afternoon, I had pulled up the carpet in the main floor.  Saturday my dad, brother, sister in law and I started laying hard wood floors in the dining/front room, living room, and kitchen (somehow among this I also managed to paint Julia's room).  I have been working from 8:30 in the morning to about 9 pm with my dad and my brothers and sister in laws have been coming over after work to help.  By Sunday evening I was wondering what the heck I was thinking starting this project!!!!  Laying floors is definetly hard labor and there are parts on my body that I didn't even know could hurt!!  But, things are coming together and we may actually get done tomorrow evening just in time for my house hold goods to arrive on Thursday!  My garage is filled with carpet, vinyl, and flooring boxes so I am going to have to take those to the dump to make room for our boxes from TX.  And boy does doing flooring make the house dusty (and messy)!  In the end, I will be SO GLAD I did the floors now before my furniture arrived.  Rob and I have laid floors before in our house in KS and he didn't mess around.  He wanted them done YESTERDAY.  So, I've been called (kiddingly, I think) a slave driver by my dad and brothers, but hey we're getting it done! :)  I'm sure Rob's had a few laughs at us during this project but I also know he's pretty impressed at his girl laying the floors like an old pro! :)  Anyways, I'm exhausted and I have another long day tomorrow.  Maybe one day this chaos will end and I will finally be able to relax....

25 comments:

Jodee said...

Wow! You go girl! I love, love, love hardwood floors. I hope you post some pictures when you are done!

Anonymous said...

You go girl!!! Wow, just reading all you wrote made me exhausted. I have been waiting to hear how the move went and how things in the new house are going. Sounds like it went as well as possible. I cannot imagine the emotions of the past week, but you are such a trooper and you are just plugging away. Enjoy the labor and laughs, they will all be worth it in the end. And yes, Rob is very proud of you! Take care!

Heather in Helena, MT

Anonymous said...

Dena,
I am so proud of you! I check your blog everyday to see what is happening. You have done a marvelous job in getting to this point. Keep your head up and keep strong. There are many people praying for you everyday. God will always keep you in his hands.

Liz said...

Wow I could use your help here. Glad it coming together :) Maybe you can show us some pics when it's finished? :)

Anonymous said...

Man! Your muscles must be ripped! :) I know that you're doing and awesome job in whatever you decide to do and that your house will look marvelous after you're finished! Now you'll just have to stop by Andrews and lay my flooring down right? LOL

Good job girlie!

Hopeful Hilary said...

you go girl! enjoy your new home.

Anonymous said...

You go, girl - A job well done and Rob will look at you and give you the strength to make a new happy home for you and your pretty girls. He'll always have a place in your hearts, wherever you decide to live. Don't forget to eat, sleep and take some time for yourself!

Nancy said...

I am so proud of you! WOW that is a lot of work, and a lot of memories to sort through- I know it has been difficult. But, typical Dena- keeping busy laying floors, painting Julia's room... girl, you just don't quit! Great job keeping busy- I know that's good for you too. Good luck with all the house organizing!

xox

Anonymous said...

dena, i know it has been a few years since we have talked, but i wanted to tell you how sorry i am for you! we may have had our ups and downs while we were in kansas, but once an army wife, always an army wife! i cant say that i know what you are going through, i cant even imagine. but i want you to know that i am here for you if you ever want to talk, vent, yell, whatever!!!! i looked at the pictures of you and the girls, julia has gotten soooo big!!! and eva is gorgeous! i am sure rob is so proud of his little girls!! i know i have rambled and this is probably jumping all over the place, but i wanted you to know that you and the girls have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since i have found out! please keep yourself and the girls safe, tell them daily about there daddy and love and hug them each and every day!!! there daddy is a wonderful man who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country and we all greatly appreciate everything he has done, as with all the other soldiers!! like i said, you are in my prayers! i am going to leave my email address if you would like to chat!

jessica warren
cheermomlac@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Yep, I think you got it about right...Rob would have wanted it done "yesterday." when you laid flooring in Kansas while Rob was deployed, I was really, really impressed. I think he was too.

Congrats on nearing the end of your project. Thanks for the update!

Anonymous said...

Bless your heart! ...and you're not finished YET. Moving in and unpacking is a pain. You've done an amazing job of getting everything taken care of - maybe you ARE a slave driver. :-) Anyway, still keeping you and your family in my thoughts and appreciate the updates when you're so busy. Don't totally exhaust yourself. God bless!

brittneyjackson said...

You will definitely be relaxing one day and reaping the rewards of all the hard work you've been putting in. I look forward to seeing the home you are making for you and the girls. It was so good to see you, if only for an evening, when you were back. Hopefully I'll get to enjoy some drinks with you and the other girls the next time you come. Are you still thinking about Spring Break time frame? Brae will love seeing Julia and Eva. Look forward to some pics of the new place when you've gotten done with it.

Jodee said...

Dena -- When you get a minute, please check out www.shawnsilvera.org. I thought this young widow might be a great support person for you. Her husband was a police officer and was struck by a fleeing suspect and killed (at age 32). She writes about her grief and life as a single mom. She is an excellent writer too.

Anonymous said...

I am tired just reading your blog post! And to think that just today, I was researching flooring and how to lay it myself! Ouch! Blessings Dena!

Anonymous said...

Dena, thank you so much for continuing with your updates. It sounds like you have put on many, many miles over the last few months. I hope your new place feels like a warm and cozy home for you and your girls in no time. I continue to think of you, and Rob, and pray every day gets a little brighter.

Jenifer in MN

Anonymous said...

Dena,
You are getting so much done! Having your family help you is great support. I'm impressed with your experience with the hard wood floors. Hoping your furniture arrives as scheduled and that you can breathe a sigh of relief and put your feet up once they unload your belongings.
Take care!
Mitch and Vicki :-)

Anonymous said...

Baby is soo cute !!Is that your baby? So settled with things and got yourself relaxed?

MaryAnn said...

Yes, you definately are crazy ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Dena,
Brittney and Char told me they got to spend an evening with you. Your latest blog brought back so many painful memories. I hate that you have to go through this, but I'm so thankful that God is taking care of you through your wonderful family and friends.
I just want you to know that you are prayed for and loved. You will always have an open invitation to our home in Florida to either vacation or just get away. Stay in touch with Char. She knows exactly what you are going through and she thinks you are a very special person.
Love,
Ardi ( Brittney and Char's mother)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have been very busy. It has been a while sense I been on. My mother has been real sick and she passed away on the the 26 and we had her services on Monday. Any way keep up the good work on your new home. I'm glad that things are going well for you and the girls. Love Carol

Anonymous said...

Dena,you are amazing. I'm getting tired just reading about all the work you're doing. I'm sure the floors look beautiful. I hope you have many happy years in your new home. Now get some rest!

Laura

Anonymous said...

I can only imagine what your house project must be like!! Jeff and I just remodeled our SMALL bathroom, so doing a large part of your house has to be ALOT of work! I bet your dad and brothers are proud of you:)
I don't know if mommies ever get time to relax...Good luck with that one!
Barb Nyffeler McArthur

nacotaco said...

wow you sound so busy! just checking in to see how you and your family are doing =]

Long-time RN said...

Wow! That's quite a pace you're keeping! Thanks for writing in for updates. You're doing a fantastic job with amazing grace and spirit. Bless you and your family, Dena.

joyce said...

Do the remodeling while you are young. Go girl! But, remember, there is always something with a house, just like our cars---upkeep. Take care, and pace yourself, and thanks for the update. Your girls are watching---and you are teaching them that they can do anything. That is great!