And my last daily post for a while since tomorrow . . . I leave. Eeek! Crazy how quickly this moment has come. As I've been telling everyone here, we found out we were moving on June 7, and bought our house in NOVA on Aug 6. Less than 2 months to wrap my brain around moving cross country. My last big move, from CO to TX, I had 9 months to prepare.
Anyway, today was marked by attending my last traveling Eucharist (Communion). Every summer, St. Mark's suspends its Wednesday night programming, but once a month a parishioner will host the Eucharist and a dinner at his house. Michael and I love these events as they combine our two favorite things: wine and a chance to be with "our peeps" (anyone over the age of 40). Sadly, we missed the July one with all the moving activity and Michael obviously missed today's, since he is already in NOVA, but I wasn't about to miss it, especially since I wasn't able to make church on Sunday.
Tonight's Eucharist was held at George and Diane Rienstra's house. George and Diane were some of the first people who welcomed me to St. Mark's when I started attending with Michael. George has since become my "pew buddy" since both our spouses sing in the choir and we are hence left partner-less for the service. They are a super-sweet couple and (cue the broken record for the last time, I promise! . . . maybe) we will certainly miss them!
As always, Traveling Eucharist was a blast, if a bit bittersweet. It was so lovely to chat with everyone while partaking in some excellent food. Towards the end, after most everybody else had left, Father Frank, Betty, George, Diane and I sat around, making a valiant effort to finish off the wine. Perhaps not the best plan the night before starting a 1000 mile road trip, but completely worth it for the memories made. We're going to miss our church community in Beaumont and are praying for the Lord to swiftly bring us to one in NOVA!
That's all, folks! Wish me luck tomorrow!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Last Tex-Mex
Went out for margaritas after work tonight with much the same crew that came out painting on Friday and a few additional ladies who weren't able to make it that evening. I was very excited to see Shirley, as she has been away from work for a while with a heart issue. Hopefully the doctors will figure it out soon and she'll be back at work. She's the general maintenance supervisor and we have sorely missed her leadership and her smile.
Post-margaritas, I headed over to Jessica's for a farewell dinner with her. Jessica was my longest lasting roommate before Michael (well, actually, Michael hasn't beat her yet!). Another sweet soul who will be missed.
Sorry for the lack of photos with Jess and fuzzy photos of the margarita-time. No, it's not a reflection of how I felt after drinking one! It's just that my camera battery died just as I was about to use it, so these are cell phone shots I stole off of Shirley's Facebook page!
Post-margaritas, I headed over to Jessica's for a farewell dinner with her. Jessica was my longest lasting roommate before Michael (well, actually, Michael hasn't beat her yet!). Another sweet soul who will be missed.
Sorry for the lack of photos with Jess and fuzzy photos of the margarita-time. No, it's not a reflection of how I felt after drinking one! It's just that my camera battery died just as I was about to use it, so these are cell phone shots I stole off of Shirley's Facebook page!
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Monday, August 6, 2012
Last Week of Work
Well, at the plant, that is!
At work today we had a going away lunch for me, Brandi and Saskia (interns) and Damian (taking a short paternity leave as his baby is scheduled to arrive tomorrow). Cue the broken record, but I will miss this group of folks. I've really enjoyed my time in environmental and I think our group meshes well together - at the very least, we have a lot of fun!
At work today we had a going away lunch for me, Brandi and Saskia (interns) and Damian (taking a short paternity leave as his baby is scheduled to arrive tomorrow). Cue the broken record, but I will miss this group of folks. I've really enjoyed my time in environmental and I think our group meshes well together - at the very least, we have a lot of fun!
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Sunday, August 5, 2012
Naomi and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
. . . That was thankfully redeemed by a lovely dinner with Deanna!
So, after the excitement of yesterday - and considering the fact that we had no bed - Michael and I decamped to the Holiday Inn for the night. Michael was leaving bright and early today to catch his 10:00 am flight out of Houston. He had arranged for the shuttle to pick him up at 6:30, so I didn't have to drive to Houston and back. The plan was for me to roll out of bed, take him to the shuttle pick-up location and return to the Holiday Inn (and bed!) before getting ready for my last service at St. Mark's. That was the plan - but the shuttle never showed. When we finally decided around 6:45 that it wasn't coming and we needed to leave ASAP to get Michael to the airport on time, I lost it. I was a crying mess - and because I was in the driver's seat since I was just going to be dropping him off, I started off driving to Houston. That last about 200 feet before Michael made me pull over and let him drive. It wasn't that I was upset to have the extra time with him, it's just that I was banking on that extra sleep! Fortunately, the drive went smoothly both ways, although all the bakeries I stopped at, hoping for bagels, were closed.
Needless to say, even though I arrived back in Beaumont by 10:00 - early enough to make the 10:15 service - I did not go to church. Considering I had just rolled out of bed and put on yesterday's clothes, I was feeling very grungy and in need of a shower. Checkout wasn't until noon, though, so I had a chance to catch a little shut-eye in addition to freshening up. Still sad to have missed church, though.
Lunch was with Carol at Gino's Pizza and Pasta. I was able to introduce her to calzones, which she had never had before. She was worried that one wouldn't be enough - and quickly revised that thought when the huge pockets of pizza arrived! Once again, another lady I am sad to say goodbye to.
After lunch I headed back to the house for a test pack of all the items that I'll be bringing with me. In addition to the spices, alcohol and my dollhouse that had always been part of the plan (there I go, planning again. Don't know why I bother) I also had to try to fit in two folding chairs and a TV tray. They were in a hall closet that the movers and Michael had missed. No worries, though, Naomi is a Tetris master!
I then headed over to the Opals, who have graciously agreed to host me this last week, since I'm pretty much homeless now. I arrived just in time to say hi and bye to Frank as he headed for Houston for his weekly swing dancing, which meant D and I got to have a girls night. We had fun chatting, walking their two adorable dogs and trying to ignore the flirtatious waiter at Carino's - he was really anxious for a tip! Sorry, no pictures of any of it - though I'm sure the waiter would have been happy to pose!
So, after the excitement of yesterday - and considering the fact that we had no bed - Michael and I decamped to the Holiday Inn for the night. Michael was leaving bright and early today to catch his 10:00 am flight out of Houston. He had arranged for the shuttle to pick him up at 6:30, so I didn't have to drive to Houston and back. The plan was for me to roll out of bed, take him to the shuttle pick-up location and return to the Holiday Inn (and bed!) before getting ready for my last service at St. Mark's. That was the plan - but the shuttle never showed. When we finally decided around 6:45 that it wasn't coming and we needed to leave ASAP to get Michael to the airport on time, I lost it. I was a crying mess - and because I was in the driver's seat since I was just going to be dropping him off, I started off driving to Houston. That last about 200 feet before Michael made me pull over and let him drive. It wasn't that I was upset to have the extra time with him, it's just that I was banking on that extra sleep! Fortunately, the drive went smoothly both ways, although all the bakeries I stopped at, hoping for bagels, were closed.
Needless to say, even though I arrived back in Beaumont by 10:00 - early enough to make the 10:15 service - I did not go to church. Considering I had just rolled out of bed and put on yesterday's clothes, I was feeling very grungy and in need of a shower. Checkout wasn't until noon, though, so I had a chance to catch a little shut-eye in addition to freshening up. Still sad to have missed church, though.
Lunch was with Carol at Gino's Pizza and Pasta. I was able to introduce her to calzones, which she had never had before. She was worried that one wouldn't be enough - and quickly revised that thought when the huge pockets of pizza arrived! Once again, another lady I am sad to say goodbye to.
After lunch I headed back to the house for a test pack of all the items that I'll be bringing with me. In addition to the spices, alcohol and my dollhouse that had always been part of the plan (there I go, planning again. Don't know why I bother) I also had to try to fit in two folding chairs and a TV tray. They were in a hall closet that the movers and Michael had missed. No worries, though, Naomi is a Tetris master!
I then headed over to the Opals, who have graciously agreed to host me this last week, since I'm pretty much homeless now. I arrived just in time to say hi and bye to Frank as he headed for Houston for his weekly swing dancing, which meant D and I got to have a girls night. We had fun chatting, walking their two adorable dogs and trying to ignore the flirtatious waiter at Carino's - he was really anxious for a tip! Sorry, no pictures of any of it - though I'm sure the waiter would have been happy to pose!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
More Goodbyes
Today was loading day. After having our house reduced to boxes on Wednesday, now it was time to see how much space we could take up in the big truck. We asked them to wait until 10:00 to come, though, as we had scheduled a breakfast with our good friends, Steph and Elijah. They are some of the first folks I came to know down here in Beaumont, as Elijah was instrumental in creating and leading the worship and devotional group that I stumbled upon (or, more accurately, was led by God to) when I first moved here. Over the years, I've watched with joy as God brought them together and grows their family and they've done the same with Michael and me (well, not the "grow the family" bit - yet!). Elijah was transferred to Houston in January and we have missed our weekly get-togethers and will miss them even more now that a weekend meetup will no longer be quite so easy! I am so thankful we were able to meet for breakfast, particularly since they brought along their newest addition, sweet little miss Eden!
After breakfast, we headed back home, just in time for the movers to show up with a massive truck. Yep, I don't think we even took up a third of it, although I wasn't around to see the final loading. I was gracious enough to leave that pleasure to Michael as Nylah came and picked me up for Elizabeth's baby shower at 1:00. According to Michael, they finished up around 3:00, so it took them 5 hours total.
At Elizabeth's shower we were able to celebrate the impending arrival of Lily. So sad I will not be around to meet her as a baby, although hopefully we'll see each other again once we're all in Houston. At the party, I ended up sitting between Elizabeth's mom and aunt. They're twins and they were a hoot! So fun.
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After breakfast, we headed back home, just in time for the movers to show up with a massive truck. Yep, I don't think we even took up a third of it, although I wasn't around to see the final loading. I was gracious enough to leave that pleasure to Michael as Nylah came and picked me up for Elizabeth's baby shower at 1:00. According to Michael, they finished up around 3:00, so it took them 5 hours total.
At Elizabeth's shower we were able to celebrate the impending arrival of Lily. So sad I will not be around to meet her as a baby, although hopefully we'll see each other again once we're all in Houston. At the party, I ended up sitting between Elizabeth's mom and aunt. They're twins and they were a hoot! So fun.
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Last Painting with a Twist
Tonight was a social/networking event for the women's interest group at work. It was held at Painting with a Twist, an incarnation of the popular concept to mix painting with drinking - which I must say, is brilliant! Because only with a little wine am I going to feel comfortable breaking out my drawing skills - and be crazy enough to think they produce anything like art!!! Anyway, although I was not as successful as last year, I still had a blast hanging out with all the ladies. I know one of the main things I will miss while working from home is the people and these people in particular.
In other news, Michael went to a poker night - and (like normal, I'm proud to say) won both games!
In other news, Michael went to a poker night - and (like normal, I'm proud to say) won both games!
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Thursday, August 2, 2012
House Packing
Today was packing day. It started last night after bowling, as Michael and I packed up items that the movers wouldn't be taking with them - namely, clothing to last us the next 1.5 weeks. Oh, and our liquor and spices, but I'd already packed those on Sunday. Then this morning, I realized I should probably clean out the refrigerator since today is trash day and we would rather not have that stuff sitting in the dumpster for too long. So, goodbye, everything I hadn't yet given away. Probably tossed about $50 worth of food stuff, which it just killed me to do, but I am pretty proud with how much I was able to use up or give away. What remained was mostly random condiments I bought to try out in a dish and then never finished - oh, and a few cups of homemade chicken broth. Sigh.
I, being the smart one for once, made Michael stay home while I escaped for work. Blessedly air-conditioned work! Yes, we woke up this morning to a non-functioning AC. We tried the same fix for when it went out earlier this summer (turning it off for two hours - the coils had frozen and we just needed to let them defrost) but it didn't work. Fortunately, when we purchased the home warranty for our buyer's benefit, we stipulated that we could use it to fix anything during the sale period. So it was just a service fee to have the HVAC man come out to diagnose the problem, replace the broken capacitor, and recharge the freon. Unfortunately, that didn't happen until 3:00 pm, so Michael and the movers got to swelter in our un AC-ed house. The inside temps rose to only 84 deg F, but still, not my idea of fun!
Anyway, I came home to a house full of boxes. Starting to feel real now - which means I'm feeling a little maudlin. This house really has been a lovely place for Michael and I to start our married life together. Michael did an excellent job picking it out when he moved here and has done so much to improve it, both cosmetically and behind the walls. It was a major step up for me to move in here from my dumpy first house and it has been so fun making it our home. I've never been much of an interior decorator, but Michael enjoys picking out home furnishing and with his help (and healthy dose of HGTV!) we're starting to develop a style together. I'm very excited about our new place (50% bigger!) but I'll miss this little gem.
In our continued goodbyes, we headed over to the Congers to see how their reno is coming along (kitchen and living room look awesome!) and met up Scott at Buffalo Wild Wings afterwards. It's difficult to say goodbye to folks, as I know that is likely the last time I'll see them in quite a while . . . if ever!
I, being the smart one for once, made Michael stay home while I escaped for work. Blessedly air-conditioned work! Yes, we woke up this morning to a non-functioning AC. We tried the same fix for when it went out earlier this summer (turning it off for two hours - the coils had frozen and we just needed to let them defrost) but it didn't work. Fortunately, when we purchased the home warranty for our buyer's benefit, we stipulated that we could use it to fix anything during the sale period. So it was just a service fee to have the HVAC man come out to diagnose the problem, replace the broken capacitor, and recharge the freon. Unfortunately, that didn't happen until 3:00 pm, so Michael and the movers got to swelter in our un AC-ed house. The inside temps rose to only 84 deg F, but still, not my idea of fun!
Anyway, I came home to a house full of boxes. Starting to feel real now - which means I'm feeling a little maudlin. This house really has been a lovely place for Michael and I to start our married life together. Michael did an excellent job picking it out when he moved here and has done so much to improve it, both cosmetically and behind the walls. It was a major step up for me to move in here from my dumpy first house and it has been so fun making it our home. I've never been much of an interior decorator, but Michael enjoys picking out home furnishing and with his help (and healthy dose of HGTV!) we're starting to develop a style together. I'm very excited about our new place (50% bigger!) but I'll miss this little gem.
In our continued goodbyes, we headed over to the Congers to see how their reno is coming along (kitchen and living room look awesome!) and met up Scott at Buffalo Wild Wings afterwards. It's difficult to say goodbye to folks, as I know that is likely the last time I'll see them in quite a while . . . if ever!
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Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Last Bowling
In the spring of 2010, the employee recreational group at my job put together a bowling league. Since I knew Michael enjoyed bowling and had bowled with a league in the past, I asked him if he would like to join the league. We decided it would be a fun regular activity to partake in, so we joined and were assigned two other random folks to fill out a team of four. Raja was a welder working on my plant's expansion project and Larry was a recently retired Texaco hand who knew many of the people I worked with. We had a blast with that 16-week league, getting to know Raja and Larry and Larry's wife, Sue, who would come to cheer us on when she wasn't working a night shift at the local hospital.
One of the perks of being on the league was reduced price bowling the rest of the week and we and Larry started taking advantage of that perk on various weekends and holidays. By the time the league ended, we had become fast friends with Larry and Sue (Raja had since moved to Mobile, following the welding jobs) and continued to meet weekly to bowl and chat. In the two years hence, we've shared many fun times, both at the lanes and at the various events they have so graciously invited us to, including July 4th at their house in Bridge City and Thanksgiving at their timeshare in Galveston. We have been so blessed by their friendship, especially as our regular Tuesday bowling meet-ups helped fill the gap left when all of our home church buddies moved away.
Tonight was our last Tuesday-night bowling excursion with them. In good farewell gesture, Sue and I set records by both beating our respective husbands in the same game. We have each beat our husbands on occasion before, but this is the first time we have both beaten them at the same time. Be sure to check out the photographic evidence below! Afterwards we headed over to Sertino's for some dessert and more chatting. Sue mentioned once that she had friends that she talked gardening with, and others about crafting and others about cooking, etc., etc., etc., but that with us we could talk about anything under the moon. There will be a big gap in our friends list and in our social schedule without Larry and Sue, but we're already starting to work on them to come visit us next spring!
One of the perks of being on the league was reduced price bowling the rest of the week and we and Larry started taking advantage of that perk on various weekends and holidays. By the time the league ended, we had become fast friends with Larry and Sue (Raja had since moved to Mobile, following the welding jobs) and continued to meet weekly to bowl and chat. In the two years hence, we've shared many fun times, both at the lanes and at the various events they have so graciously invited us to, including July 4th at their house in Bridge City and Thanksgiving at their timeshare in Galveston. We have been so blessed by their friendship, especially as our regular Tuesday bowling meet-ups helped fill the gap left when all of our home church buddies moved away.
Tonight was our last Tuesday-night bowling excursion with them. In good farewell gesture, Sue and I set records by both beating our respective husbands in the same game. We have each beat our husbands on occasion before, but this is the first time we have both beaten them at the same time. Be sure to check out the photographic evidence below! Afterwards we headed over to Sertino's for some dessert and more chatting. Sue mentioned once that she had friends that she talked gardening with, and others about crafting and others about cooking, etc., etc., etc., but that with us we could talk about anything under the moon. There will be a big gap in our friends list and in our social schedule without Larry and Sue, but we're already starting to work on them to come visit us next spring!
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