Day 81...as good as ever

Apr 10

(I'm slightly annoyed with this one, because I had it all typed out and then lost it somehow, and now am having to retype it...grrr!)

Today marks the start of getting up at 5 am with Eli, so I can get in the habit of it for work next week...boo! It was hard to get up today.

I had a plan to go down to Independence to visit Rachel and Bryan, so I decided to just go early and go to church with them.

One benefit of getting up so stinking early, when you don't have to go to work, is you have more time to get things done around the house. I got a ton of stuff taken care of before I left to go to Rachel's.

I made it to her house about 15 minutes before they were leaving for church, and Martyn was still sleeping from the car ride. So we just loaded him up in their car and headed to church. He slept through the whole worship service, which surprised me because it was loud!

They had a guest speaker, and just before he went up to do his sermon, Martyn woke up and filled his diaper so I took him out and changed and nursed him.

When I came back in, the sermon was nearly over. Martyn was happy and aware, so Rachel asked if she could take him. I passed him over. She told me later, while she was holding him and keeping him entertained and quiet in church, she felt kind of surreal...she remembered holding me in church, and keeping me entertained and quiet while Mom played the piano.

I thought that was a fun memory.

We had lunch when we got home, and then Rachel and Martyn and I went to Dallas (the next town over) so Rachel could show me the house they are trying to buy. It's a nice little place, I think it would be just perfect for them....I hope they get it.

On the way back, Rachel wanted to show me this other house that was for sale in Independence, just down the way from the house they live in now. It's an old historic house, built in like 1860 or something like that. It was huge! On a corner lot, with a nice size yard, and a little detached garage in back. It had a really huge front porch, with a swing...that was Rachel's big appeal, ha! I was looking in the windows, and walking around the side trying to see in. When I got to the back door, I checked it and it was unlocked. I thought it was just a utility closet, but there was another door inside there, that led into the kitchen, which was also unlocked. So I decided to give us a self guided tour of the place.

I don't see that as trespassing, since we were not causing any damage to the property, or stealing anything...we were just having a look, and it was a little exciting. Silly I know.

What a cool place! If we wanted to live in Independence, and had the time to put into it, that would be a great buy....but boy that house needed some work. It would be a full time job just getting it livable and updated. Most of the stuff would be pretty awesome, but all the pipes I imagine, and all the bathroom and kitchen fixtures would need updating.

That was kind of a fun adventure. We left Martyn in the car and locked the doors since he was sleeping, and the neighborhood was safe enough on a Sunday afternoon.

Bryan had told me his father had just passed away on Friday and he was trying to figure out how to get down to AZ for a memorial service this week. I told them I would watch the dogs if they needed me to. Poor Bryan...I think he's taking it a lot harder than he's letting on.

We came home and hung out, and had dinner and then I left. I made it home in time to watch the latter half of the Amazing Race with Eli. Martyn was fussy when we got home, because he wanted to be nursed, and I really wanted a bowl of cereal. I handed him off to Eli to soothe momentarily while I gobbled down my cereal...Eli has yet to learn how to soothe Martyn without getting all flustered. Later I told him he just needs to remember to take a break, and calm down himself....when he gets flustered, Martyn only builds up steam...same goes for me too I suppose.

He's gotta learn sometime....because he's about to get a crash course in taking care of his son. I only have a week left, then it's back to work time. Uhg. Well, actually I'm feeling ok about it. I have confidence in the nanny lady, and I have building confidence in Eli. I know Eli loves his son, and that love is good fuel to learn how to care for him when mama is not there to help. He's doing well too...it just takes time. Perhaps the crash course is the best way, ha!