Monday, July 16, 2007

God Blessed Texas. And The Melting Pot

So, on Saturday night, my friends treated me to a night at the Melting Pot for my birthday.
Don't worry, you didn't miss my birthday, there's still plenty of time for you to send me chocolates and...and, uh---appliances or stereo speakers if you are my husband.

It was my first time going. And I had a blast. That's a given, I was with my friends.

However, and no offense to my friends, the highlight of the entire evening, was the birthday card from the Melting Pot. It was signed by a handful of employees who happened to be working the night we all decided to come in and get our fondue on. Or, perhaps it was pre-signed, like 6 months ago and it's a collector's item because maybe some of those employees are no longer part of the Melting Pot family.

When I opened the card, the only legible signature was Beth. At first I wondered which of my friend's alter ego was named Beth. I confess, I'm slow these days. You can imagine my delight to find it wasn't signed by my friends, but rather, Melting Pot employees. Just for me.

Thank you, whoever you are.

I mean, thank you Beth and Scribblers I, II, and III.

I haven't done my blog visiting teaching this month. I figure, any visit from me is a learning experience, so I'm going to take the liberty...

Part of the reason is because suddenly Danyo's all up in my grill with opinions and whatnot. He's become a little more demanding of food and less willing to wait and let me finish my yoga session grilled cheese sandwich and stuff.

The other reason is because we are moving in 11 days. Suddenly, it's 11 days away.
We are moving to Iowa. Or, as every person we've ever told likes to say, Ohio, Omaha, Dubuqe, Idaho, or Chicago. Or, as Ben likes to correct any of those people, "Oh-why-yuh!" And he's more right than anyone. Except Dubuque. That one's pretty close...

J is starting a job at John Deere. It is in Illinois, right on the border, next to Iowa. We've decided to live in Iowa, because it's more holy. And is a swing state. But if cheaper housing is found in Illionis, I'm sure we can find some virtue in the state...

We tried to get a tractor for his commute into the job offer, but it was a no-go. He's gonna have to stick with his 1989, 3 crash surviving, 174 thousand mile, multi-fender colored Honda Civic.

He won't be traveling anymore. Can you HEAR my excitement screaming through your screen?

Only, we have to leave our beloved Texas. And this is heartbreaking. As much for J as for me, but only I will be heard to say that. J's not in the habit of walking around talking about heartbreaks. Because he's a stud. But, we are both very very sad to leave here. More sad than I think we even realize at this point. This has been one of the most wonderful experiences we've had in any place we've lived. It probably would have been Utopia if J had not had to travel the entire time.

I have been walking around the house with a lump in my throat for the last 23 days. I just made that number up, but it's been a while.

Tonight I had to say goodbye to Amy. Before she came over to say goodbye, I spent a couple of hours with a friend and then had to say goodbye to her. Both of them are going out of town tomorrow. Because apparently, my leaving the state isn't enough to put family vacations on hold. Next week I have to say goodbye to Rebecca.

I didn't cry once tonight. But the bravery is starting to overwhelm me.

So, between packing, and being brave, I don't 'spect I'll do much blogging. Oh yeah, and there are some kids to take care of somewhere in there too.

However, once we are settled in Oh-why-yuh, I am certain there will be some blogging like there has never been blogging before. Brace yourselves.

19 comments:

KatieBug said...

We will miss you. Good Luck!

portuguesa nova said...

My husband ran out of appliances after the Bissel spotbot and the fabric steamer. Last gift I got, if I'm not mistaken, were some obscenely decadent thread-count sheets. For the guest room. Now he's out of sheets.

As a native Minnesotan, I must say, you made the wrong choice with the IA side of the QC. Iowa is anything but holy. Just ask my mom.

Code Yellow Mom said...

Oh-why-uh is classic - I hope he never grows out of saying it that way.

And I promise I was listening when you said Iowa - it's just that the whole midwest is a blur in my mind. :) But it is closer to where I live than Texas.

I'm jealous of your melting pot experience...haven't been there for ages. And now I'm salivating. For beer mixed with cheese. (shhh - don't tell...)

You can cry. No need to be brave for us. :)

Woohoo! on the no more traveling. And the swing state status. he, he, he.

Oh, and blog visiting teaching made me LAUGH. A lot.

And this should about do me for commenting until you get your new house unpacked and Danyo sufficiently fed and can come blog again.

Love you. Good luck with the move.

Bryner Family said...

I am so sad you're leaving us but so happy for Jay having a job where he can actually see his family every day. And so happy for you because I know what it's like to take care of 3 kids and not see your husband all day (or week). Good luck wherever you land. See you at the next family reunion! :) Ha ha.

Tori :) said...

Oh, I know that lump in the throat all too well. :( I miss my beloved Texas.
Good luck with the move. And I would love to send you a birthday present. You aren't on the Good Mail girls list are you??
Have a wonderful birthday and move!!
YAY for no more hubby traveling!! :)

Millie said...

Jay IS a stud. ::tittering::

You know, the only thing I know about Texas is you live there, Elastic lives there, Tori used to live there, and my cousin Candace went on her mission there and got bit by a bunch of fire ants and still has the scars. Then there are, of course, all the dead relatives I have there.

So if you say you're going to miss it, I'll believe you. I know what it's like to leave good friends and I feel for you.

We have a Melting Pot here, if you're ever in the neighborhood. :)

Millie said...

Oh, I forgot to say that I'm glad Jay gets to be at home with you now. I can't even imagine how you've done without him all this time with three small kids. You're amazing to me, woman.

Sketchy said...

Melting Pot...yummmmmmmm....

Good luck with the move, that's always hard. I have no idea whether Iowa or Ohio is more holy, here in PA we just know Cleveland stinks...but I don't know why. I assume its some sort of backed up sewer system.

Suzanne said...

It's always hard to move and leave friends behind! How great that J won't have to travel anymore! And he is probably your best friend of all, right? Hopefully things don't get too crazy for you guys. I can't wait for your blog posts from Iowa! :)

Jean Knee said...

Hey I was at the melting pot and didn't get no card! seriously wasn't it soooo good you know you'll only be counting the seconds till you go again

see my post and see if it was the same for you

Anonymous said...

I do not want to talk about this. Can we talk about something else. I always feel at home here, and now that I am here with my own car, I don't understand all the boxes. We must put that stuff away! The peeps, the pool, the blue sky oh so grand! Please reconsider....do you really need Jay home???? Nevertheless it is closer to me and CYM(?)!!!

Rebecca said...

Okay... let it be known.. as wonderful as it was for you here in Texas you have made Texas a more wonderful place as well. Texas will miss the B Family, and unfortunatly for us..Big J is way more important than a few silly friends.. your killing me with the count down.. I may have to break down and cry in front of you or leave a day early.. we shall see!!!

Luisa Perkins said...

Oh, it's hard to move. But it sounds like life is going to be great in IA. Good luck with all the packing and the bravery!

Deena said...

Moving sucks. Especially the leaving friends behind part. But what's almost worst is being left behind. Good luck with packing!

Super Happy Girl said...

"Blog visiting teaching" :D That should be a chapter in that book you are writing and that I'm going to buy and Bo is goign to sign for me.
Nobody +J +Oh-why-yuh = Home Sweet Home Together.
Take care yo!

Lisa said...

A move for a non-traveling husband is huge! I would move there for that--maybe. Good luck!

Cynthia said...

How dare you move and leave my sister and take her daughters best little friend with you. From what I have heard you will be greatly missed.

Cynthia said...

How dare you move and leave my sister and on top of that you are taking Reagan's best friend with you. From what I hear, you will be greatly missed!

Sister Pottymouth said...

Where in Iowa? My brother-in-law works for John Deere as a mechanical engineer. They live in Cedar Falls.