Back on the Grid

Saturday, August 20, 2011, 9:30 pm

Oy; five whole days without internet access.  Total deprivation. But Quest finally hooked us up, and here I am, sitting next to my husband on on a couch in a house in Englewood, Colorado.  Typing away.  Larry is playing on his lap top too; he's researching hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, where are going to spend the day tomorrow.  Unbelievable.

Though I couldn't get online, I did jot down a few thoughts during this head spinning week . . .

Monday, August 15, 2011

Dear environment,

I am terribly sorry that the Becker-Schwartz family used 10,000 rolls of packing paper and 130 cardboard boxes so we could move somewhere we could be outside more and enjoy your lovely trees.  I also sincerely apologize for the half dozen cardboard pizza boxes we tossed over the last few days.  I am totally embarrassed about the styrofoam containers our sushi came in last night.  Also feeling pretty badly about all the plastic cutlery.  We will try to make it up to you as soon as we come up for (fresh mountain) air.

Yours truly,
Evelyn

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

We did it!  We live in Colorado.  Night #1 went really well.  I guess the kids were too exhausted to have any of the “my new room is not my old room so its sorta creepy and I need to sleep rightontopofyou and/or knee you in the stomach all night long” issues that I thought might pop up.  We are all about unpacking and setting up house for the next several days.  That means lots and lots of lists.  For example: 

Things that made Larry curse today: 

1.    The guest room toilet won’t stop running.

2.    The hot water dispenser on the kitchen sink is leaking.

3.     The cold water faucet in the kids’ bathroom makes an annoying, squeaky noise.

4.    Quest was supposed to be here today to set up our new phone/internet, but they messed up our order and now it will be Friday before we stop trying to steal the neighbors’ WiFi.

Things that made Adina (3) cry:

1.     She wanted ORANGE JUICE, not milk.

2.     She wanted to wear shorts and a T-shirt, NOT A DRESS!

3.     She wanted to save empty box #24, not #67!  How could I toss #24?  Don’t I love her at all?

Things that brought Caleb (6) (total control freak) complete, unadulterated joy:

1.     Finding the perfect spot in his bedroom for his Legos; reading chair; job chart (you think I’m making this up); and hats. 

2.     Finding the perfect spot in the playroom to “do art.

3.   -Finding the perfect spot in the garage for his bike.

You get the idea.

The good news is: I can tell that I am really going to like my new house.  Now I can’t wait to get all this shit put away so I can get out of it.  Guess I’ll head to Starbucks in the morning so I can get online & share…

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

STRESSED OUT, CRAPPY DAY.  BOXES, BOXES, 4 HOURS AT TWO DIFFERENT OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, WITH KIDS,  WENT HOME WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSES OR CAR REGISTRATION, BOXES, BOXES, BOXES.  TRYING TO WRITE ABOU T IT IN MORE DETAIL; CAN’T DEAL.  LOOKING FORWARD TO TOMORROW’S DO-OVER.  GOODNIGHT.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Much. better. day.  Sure we started with a visit (our third) to the Department of Motor Vehicles for drivers’ licenses, and to register our cars in Colorado, but - I didn’t have to take a driving test; Larry really likes the green mountains on his new license plates; and we were out of there by 10:30 am - with everything we needed.  Score.  

Also, we had our first visitors!  One of Larry's closest childhood friends spent last week in Wyoming with her family, and decided to fly home to Pittsburgh through Denver so they could say “hi” to us in our new home.  Best gift ever.  We met them at Zaidy's for a delicious brunch, then hung out for awhile in beautiful Wash Park.  The kids played on the playground, and the grown-ups sat under a tree and caught up.  Perfection.     

Friday, August 19, 2011  

Ok, things are going well here.  I started the day with a great run around my neighborhood, and up to the entrance to Cherry Creek State Park.  Love that this is right here.  Took Caleb to see his new school; went to the grocery store; unpacked a few more boxes.  Ended the day by bringing in shabbat with my family, at our new synagogue.

Blah, blah, blah.

Larry appears to have moved on in his research to skiing -  season passes and ski schools - Copper Mountain;  Winter Park; Breckenridge.  Ridiculous.

Til next time ...

Evelyn